National Prep Showcase (Jarion Henry)

[25mob]

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1295940

 

[bocabull]

Care to summarize?

 

[j2d2]

"Jarion Henry, SF, La Jolla Prep: The recent Oklahoma signee is a lengthy full-court athlete who likes to play fast. Henry's quickness, ability to make plays off the dribble and defensive potential all translate to the Big 12 level. As he gets stronger and performs with consistency, he has plenty of upside."

 

[bocabull]

Ok seriously, next year we add Henry, M'Baye, Hield & Hornbeak and only lose Honore, Washington & Franklin?

That is going to be our best lineup since the final 4 team. We may not have the #1 overall player in Blake but the depth and talent of that roster is going to be awesome. There won't be a weakness.

We will be so good that somebody between Clark, Osby & M'Baye won't start. That's scary. I'm also excited about Arent. He moves really well and has good athleticism. Give this guy a year to adjust and he's going to be a great college center.

 

[OklaSooners]

the future looks bright, hopefully fan support will pickup.

 

[ArdmoreSooner]

I'm super excited as well. If this team gets into the post season that is even better. But Kruger has a chance to with all the scholarships available to reel in some talent. Next few years. No major setbacks from investigation and I can see Kruger getting some great local talent.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Osby is starting next year period ...

IMHO there is a very good chance that clark doesn't start next season

 

[Bk2X]

Everyone seems to get plenty of PT in Kruger's system.

 

[DenverSooner]

Ok seriously, next year we add Henry, M'Baye, Hield & Hornbeak and only lose Honore, Washington & Franklin?

That is going to be our best lineup since the final 4 team. We may not have the #1 overall player in Blake but the depth and talent of that roster is going to be awesome. There won't be a weakness.

We will be so good that somebody between Clark, Osby & M'Baye won't start. That's scary. I'm also excited about Arent. He moves really well and has good athleticism. Give this guy a year to adjust and he's going to be a great college center.

If M'Baye and Osby both start in the front court (and I suspec they will), that will likely mean a two year starter and three year contributer in Fitzgerald is the first post player off the bench. That might not be the tallest front court but it will be awfully good. Andrew made honorable mention All-Big XII as a sophomore and he could legitimately be coming off the bench as a senior. I suspect OU will actually start Clark, Osby and M'Baye next season.

I would love to see M'Baye and Hield or Hornbeak start next season. What I mean with respect to Hield or Hornbeak is I would love to see one of them be so good that they take the starting spot from Pledger/Newell. I don't say this because I am down on either Pledger or Newell, I just hope one of the new guys is so good he is a freshman starter. It probably won't happen for either Hield or Hornbeak but it would be a huge plus for the team. Based on what we are hearing, I think OU has a very legitimate chance to bring Fitzgerald off the bench as a senior. Very few teams will have a bench forward that can score like Fitzgerald.

For example, imagine a starting lineup like: PG - Grooms, SG Hornbeak or Hield, SF - Clark, PF - OSBY, C - M'Baye. That means your bench includes Blair, Pledger and Fitzgerald. Your first three guys off the bench would likely be a backup pg with a year of starting experience. A backup sg with two years of starting experience and a back up post with two years of starting experience.

 

[CMSOONER]

I'll bet almost anything M'Baye is not playing center. I think he's going to be spending most of his time on the perimeter. I think it's more likely Clark comes of the bench than Fitz in this scenario.

 

[WTSooner]

I'll bet almost anything M'Baye is not playing center. I think he's going to be spending most of his time on the perimeter. I think it's more likely Clark comes of the bench than Fitz in this scenario.

Why do some of you refuse to stop saying stuff like this? If Taylor Griffin could not play more than a couple of minutes at the 3 spot.....and if so far, it looks like Osby isn't going to log minutes at the 3 spot, why would M'Baye be any different?

Personally, I think he fits in at the 5 very well, with Fitz coming off the bench. M'Baye is probably the longest guy on the team, save Arent. He'd do fine guarding most 5's in today's game. And with Cam and Osby locked in at the 3/4 spots, M'Baye will either come off the bench next year, or he'll put Fitz on the bench.

 

[DenverSooner]

I'll bet almost anything M'Baye is not playing center. I think he's going to be spending most of his time on the perimeter. I think it's more likely Clark comes of the bench than Fitz in this scenario.

Why would you make this bet? M'Baye shot 11% from three as freshman and 16% as a sophomore. That is not a wing player. He is a Center or PF in college. He might have better range than most power forwards or centers (based on the fact he takes some threes) but you really don't want a guy that shoots 16% from 3 point range taking three point shots.

 

[garyeb2]

Why do some of you refuse to stop saying stuff like this? If Taylor Griffin could not play more than a couple of minutes at the 3 spot.....and if so far, it looks like Osby isn't going to log minutes at the 3 spot, why would M'Baye be any different?

Personally, I think he fits in at the 5 very well, with Fitz coming off the bench. M'Baye is probably the longest guy on the team, save Arent. He'd do fine guarding most 5's in today's game. And with Cam and Osby locked in at the 3/4 spots, M'Baye will either come off the bench next year, or he'll put Fitz on the bench.

We keep saying it because it is true. Sure, he could probably play the #5 if that is where he is needed. But, he is nothing like Taylor or Osby for that matter.

He will never play with his back to the basket. He is too mobile and has too much range. To put him in the role of a #5 would be limiting the ways he can help the team.

It would certainly make sense to have him defending down low. But, on offense, his job will be to shoot 3's. He gets into his shot so quickly and elevates so well, that the best college 1's,2's and 3's can do is jump up and swat at his elbow.

 

[DenverSooner]

We keep saying it because it is true. Sure, he could probably play the #5 if that is where he is needed. But, he is nothing like Taylor or Osby for that matter.

He will never play with his back to the basket. He is too mobile and has too much range. To put him in the role of a #5 would be limiting the ways he can help the team.

It would certainly make sense to have him defending down low. But, on offense, his job will be to shoot 3's. He gets into his shot so quickly and elevates so well, that the best college 1's,2's and 3's can do is jump up and swat at his elbow.

What in the heck are you basing this on? He shot 11% from 3 as a freshman. He shot 16% as a sophomore. He started every game as a sophomore averaging over 30 minutes a game only making 8 three point attempts on 48 attempts. I sure don't want to see him taking three point shots and based on his statistics I am pretty confident that Kruger is not going to let him take a bunch of three point shots. Quite frankly I would not let him take any if I were his coach. Based on two years of college basketball he doesn't have the range.

Organized basketball is not a pickup game where anyone who wants can jack a three point shot. Good coaches simply don't tollerate it. Now if M'Baye can hit 30% of his threes and use that to bring big guys out to the three point line then blow by them for layups and dunks, I would be all for him taking a fair number of 3 point shots but you cannot have a guy shooting 16% taking any significant number of 3 point shots if you want to win.

 

[garyeb2]

What in the heck are you basing this on? He shot 11% from 3 as a freshman. He shot 16% as a sophomore. He started every game as a sophomore averaging over 30 minutes a game only making 8 three point attempts on 48 attempts. I sure don't want to see him taking three point shots and based on his statistics I am pretty confident that Kruger is not going to let him take a bunch of three point shots. Quite frankly I would not let him take any if I were his coach. Based on two years of college basketball he doesn't have the range.

Organized basketball is not a pickup game where anyone who wants can jack a three point shot. Good coaches simply don't tollerate it. Now if M'Baye can hit 30% of his threes and use that to bring big guys out to the three point line then blow by them for layups and dunks, I would be all for him taking a fair number of 3 point shots but you cannot have a guy shooting 16% taking any significant number of 3 point shots if you want to win.

The 3 pt. stats that you present are based on 58 total attempts over 2 seasons at his previous school.

This is what I base my opinion on. In PRACTICE. I've been to around 20. He has demonstrated that he is the best 3 pt. shooter on the team. Better than Pledger. And Pledger is a pretty high pct. shooter in practice.

In practice, when they break the team down by position for drills. He is never with the 4's AND 5's. He is always with the wings and guards.

When they scrimmage or run 5 on 5 drills,he always plays a wing or an active move inside out 4. Never does he have his back to the basket.

In practice, the majority of his shots are 3's. He makes alot of them. They can not defend them.

Mayby they will turn him into a post player in a year or two. But, that doesn't seem tobe the plan now.

 

[DenverSooner]

The 3 pt. stats that you present are based on 58 total attempts over 2 seasons at his previous school.

This is what I base my opinion on. In PRACTICE. I've been to around 20. He has demonstrated that he is the best 3 pt. shooter on the team. Better than Pledger. And Pledger is a pretty high pct. shooter in practice.

In practice, when they break the team down by position for drills. He is never with the 4's AND 5's. He is always with the wings and guards.

When they scrimmage or run 5 on 5 drills,he always plays a wing or an active move inside out 4. Never does he have his back to the basket.

In practice, the majority of his shots are 3's. He makes alot of them. They can not defend them.

Mayby they will turn him into a post player in a year or two. But, that doesn't seem tobe the plan now.

20 practices? Seems like a bit of a stretch but if you say so I guess I will believe you.

Why did such a good three point shooter only take 58 shoots from 3 point range over two years? OU lists the guy as a forward not a guard. If M'Baye is a wing, then OU is going to start M'Baye, Osby and Fitzgerald but I just don't believe that will happen.

 

[WTSooner]

I enjoy talking OU hoops with you gary, but you say some stuff that is just batsh*t crazy sometimes.

This is what I base my opinion on. In PRACTICE. I've been to around 20. He has demonstrated that he is the best 3 pt. shooter on the team. Better than Pledger. And Pledger is a pretty high pct. shooter in practice.

I call BS. And even if it's true, firing up 3's in practice or on the practice squad is A LOT different then doing it in a game. Can M'Baye shoot the ball some? Maybe. Is he going to live on the perimeter? Not a chance.

In practice, when they break the team down by position for drills. He is never with the 4's AND 5's. He is always with the wings and guards.

When they scrimmage or run 5 on 5 drills,he always plays a wing or an active move inside out 4. Never does he have his back to the basket.

Didn't you post numerous times that when you watched practice, M'Baye and Osby went head to head? If Osby is playing the 4 spot, wouldn't that make M'Baye the 4, most likely on his team?

M'Baye may be the best rebounder on our team next year. Not a chance in HECK we stick him on the wing, where he'll be of little use in the rebounding department. None. I don't care how athletic he is, we would completely waste his talents having him chase 6'4" guards through perimeter screens, while Osby and Fitz manned the post.

If he is a good enough shooter that we need to incorporate his perimeter game into our offense, we can do that with him at the 5. It's no different then doing it with a 4, save the fact that if you are going to run your 5 out to the perimeter at times, your 4 better be able to slide down and post up.

You'll have to forgive me if I don't put much stock in your prediction. You thought Osby would play outside some. You were very vocal about that. So far Osby has spend VERY little time outside, shooting or taking people off the dribble. Osby has taken 1 three point shot in the four games so far, best I can remember. You also suggested Cam might slide over the 2 spot, and I said it would never happen. Even with Pledger missing two games, Cam was still never the 2. LK thought it better to play Blair there.

 

[garyeb2]

20 practices? Seems like a bit of a stretch but if you say so I guess I will believe you.

Why did such a good three point shooter only take 58 shoots from 3 point range over two years? OU lists the guy as a forward not a guard. If M'Baye is a wing, then OU is going to start M'Baye, Osby and Fitzgerald but I just don't believe that will happen.

I can not read Coach Kruger's mind. I do not know what the future plans for the kid are. All I know is what I've seen.

From what video highlights I've seen it sort of looks like Wyoming used him as a #4. Mayby that is why he didn't get outside much. I just have no answer for you. But, it would be hard for me to imagine either Osby or M'Baye not starting in some spot.

 

[WTSooner]

I should add that my prediction for M'Baye is also due to what OU has coming back, and coming in. We have plenty of guard talent. We return all guards, and add two top 100 kids. We don't have much inside. I'd have no problems starting M'Baye as the 4 either. I think that is probably his natural spot right now. But with Osby locked in there, and very little talent inside other than Osby and Fitz, M'Baye will definitely get all of his minutes as a 4 or a 5. I don't see any other way around that.

 

[garyeb2]

I enjoy talking OU hoops with you gary, but you say some stuff that is just batsh*t crazy sometimes.



I call BS. And even if it's true, firing up 3's in practice or on the practice squad is A LOT different then doing it in a game. Can M'Baye shoot the ball some? Maybe. Is he going to live on the perimeter? Not a chance.



Didn't you post numerous times that when you watched practice, M'Baye and Osby went head to head? If Osby is playing the 4 spot, wouldn't that make M'Baye the 4, most likely on his team?

M'Baye may be the best rebounder on our team next year. Not a chance in HECK we stick him on the wing, where he'll be of little use in the rebounding department. None. I don't care how athletic he is, we would completely waste his talents having him chase 6'4" guards through perimeter screens, while Osby and Fitz manned the post.

If he is a good enough shooter that we need to incorporate his perimeter game into our offense, we can do that with him at the 5. It's no different then doing it with a 4, save the fact that if you are going to run your 5 out to the perimeter at times, your 4 better be able to slide down and post up.

You'll have to forgive me if I don't put much stock in your prediction. You thought Osby would play outside some. You were very vocal about that. So far Osby has spend VERY little time outside, shooting or taking people off the dribble. Osby has taken 1 three point shot in the four games so far, best I can remember. You also suggested Cam might slide over the 2 spot, and I said it would never happen. Even with Pledger missing two games, Cam was still never the 2. LK thought it better to play Blair there.

No, I didn't say Osby and M'Baye were matched up together. As far as the Osby & Cam prediction, That should only count as one miss. I was just wrong about Pledger getting playing time. I can still hope on that one.

Don't be so quick to forget all the grief I took about my case for Grooms to start over Blair. And the same with Arent. I'm pretty sure that one will turn out to be right too.

Amath is like a 6' 5/6" guy trapped in a 6'9" body. He has the skills,agility, and athletic ability of the smaller player with the advantage of being tall. I said in an earlier post that it would be a good idea to have him defend a big. Most rebounds come from the defensive end. And not giving him credit for having the ability to defend smaller players is an opinion you may have to adjust after seeing him play.

I'm sure that if coach needs him down around the paint to win. That is where he will be. But, if has players or a group of players to handle that work, it sure looks like the intention is to play him as a #3. There is no evidence that points any other direction.

A typical 5 on 5 when coach is putting in offensive are defensive sets would be Grooms,Pledger, Cam, Osby, and Fitz, vs Blair, Calvin, Amath, CJ, and Arent. That is all I know.