next season

[seniorsooner]

I know, I know, we're only 2 games into this season but it's hard not to look down the road at what is to come. Here's how the roster is shaping up for the 2011-2012 season:

Guards
Blair
Newell
Pledger
Taylor
2011 recruit?

Forwards
Cam Clark
Ahmed
Honore
Neal
Osby
Thompson
Washington
Goff

Possible starters?

Newell
Pledger
Clark
Fitz
Osby/Goff?

Bench:

Whoever doesn't start out of Fitz/Osby/Goff
TJ
Blair
Ahmed
Honore
Neal
Thompson
Washington


I like the direction we're headed.

 

[Krugerfan52]

No doubt, if guys stick around we will be better next year and even better the following year. We will be one of the most experienced teams in the league, maybe even the country if all these guys are back the next 2 years.

I'm looking forward to 2011-2013. I just hope we stick together this year so there is no fallout from a .500 season that we most likely will have this year.

 

[thebigabd]

PG: Calvin Newell/?
SG: Steve Pledger/TJ Taylor
SF: Cam Clark/?
PF: Romero Osby/Nick Thompson
PF: Andrew Fitzgerald/Robert Goff

Those are the two spots OU needs to fill, and I think 3-point shooters are needed but others disagree with that. You put some really good shooters with that bunch and you have a very good and complete team though, I think.

 

[JBaker]

PG: Calvin Newell/?
SG: Steve Pledger/TJ Taylor
SF: Cam Clark/?
PF: Romero Osby/Nick Thompson
PF: Andrew Fitzgerald/Robert Goff

Those are the two spots OU needs to fill, and I think 3-point shooters are needed but others disagree with that. You put some really good shooters with that bunch and you have a very good and complete team though, I think.

Yep.
I think Pledger will continue to improve as a shooter.
I'm not sure what the deal with Blair is, but he should get better, I think?
If we can bring in a 3 that can shoot, that should be an easy tournament team.

 

[BoulderSooner]

i would think that osby will also get some time at the 3

 

[CMSOONER]

I'm not counting on an extra scholly for next season until proven otherwise. Everyone keeps counting Hardrick out on next years team. He may just be happy being at Oklahoma just like we want every kid to be and may not care if he plays or not. Unless someone knows something I don't then I'm not counting on him leaving.

Who else would leave? Thompson & CJ Would have to sit out a year with one to play and Thompson is starting and CJ looks to figure in at some point. Blair...maybe but doubtful, he just needs to get in better shape. Newell, Cam, Pledg, Fitz and Osby aren't going anywhere. TJ Taylor isnt going anywhere unless God forbid this concussion keeps him out. Puma and Franklin aren't on scholarship if I'm not mistaken. So baring academic or disciplinary reasons I don't see another spot outside of Goff.

I would love to hear everyones thoughts on where this extra scholly is going to come from.

 

[campbest]

I'm not counting on an extra scholly for next season until proven otherwise. Everyone keeps counting Hardrick out on next years team. He may just be happy being at Oklahoma just like we want every kid to be and may not care if he plays or not. Unless someone knows something I don't then I'm not counting on him leaving.

Sometimes those decisions aren't up to the player.

 

[WaymanFan]

Sometimes those decisions aren't up to the player.

True, but does anyone know why Ray Willis was sent packing but not Hardrick? Of course, Ray had two years in the program, so Coach may have a policy associated with that.

 

[CMSOONER]

Sometimes those decisions aren't up to the player.

True, and I know it's early in the season but I don't see any reason at this point to think anyone will not be back next season. I don't really know the behind the scene stuff from last year, but was anybody who left strongly advised to leave? After last season are we in a position to remove a player from the team on a performance basis?

Don't get me wrong I'm excited about where the program is headed and next years squad, I'm just curious about this scholarship situation.

 

[OUHoosier]

Thompson, Goff, Fitz, Honore and Washigton is a nice post rotation. I'm most excited about the wing/2-guard rotation- Cam, Osby, Pledger and TJ is a very solid group. Newell should develop and if OU gets a solid HS point, this team will have depth it hasn't had since Capel has been here.

 

[AdaSooner]

i would think that osby will also get some time at the 3

No doubt about it. Osby can play the three or the four, but you'd better believe he'll play somewhere. If he was eligible he would start this year. I really like OU's front court next season. Osby, Clark, Goff, Fitz and Thompson should be able to compete with any team on our schedule.

I have questions about our back court, though. I like what I've seen of Newell and I think T. J. Taylor will help. I also know that Steven Pledger can shoot, he just needs to get his confidence back and be more consistent. IMO, he's playing out of position at the point right now, and I don't see that as a good thing for a team that shot below 20% from the three in last night's game. Steven is at his best as a spot-up shooter when he can catch the ball in rhythm, not as a floor leader who has to create shots for his teammates. Hopefully, Newell and/or Blair will step up and take over that role so Pledger can return to his rightful spot in the lineup.

 

[campbest]

True, and I know it's early in the season but I don't see any reason at this point to think anyone will not be back next season. I don't really know the behind the scene stuff from last year, but was anybody who left strongly advised to leave? After last season are we in a position to remove a player from the team on a performance basis?

Don't get me wrong I'm excited about where the program is headed and next years squad, I'm just curious about this scholarship situation.

Don't have any inside information, just speculation on how it might have gone down compared with how these situations are usually handled. Willis wants to play (and has the ability to do so at a lower level), he probably wasn't going to get on the court at OU. Him and Capel talked, decided it was best for them to part ways.

As for Hardrick, he is never going to get on the court...those who have watched him since HS (I for one) questioned the signing from the get-go. Wasn't a big deal at the time, but now with the roster depletion it has started to rear its head. Someone correct me if I am wrong, Hardrick also had trouble qualifying and needed to take additional classes to become eligible...so he might not even be a stalwart in the classroom (I don't know, just looking at prior instances). If that is the case this is what you have: a player who is not going to play, very average (possible below average)student on a team that will be floating around .500 and in desperate need of a PG going forward for a coach who will be on the hot seat...just think the writing is on the wall. Just my two cents.

 

[campbest]

i would think that osby will also get some time at the 3

He will get some time at the 3, but would prefer a vast majority of it to be at the 4. Cameron Clark is a stud, we need him to solidify his role as the starting 3 going forward.

 

[OULad]

Do we have one spot available, plus another if we lose a player?

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

Do we have one spot available, plus another if we lose a player?

Yes. We are only guaranteed to get Cade's scholly for next season, and that is being used on Goff. So if we want to get another recruit someone will have to transfer or be forced out.

As for next season, I think we will have a good shot at returning to the big dance with or without another guard coming in, but if we can sign a top-level guard, I really think that would push this team to another level...likely a top 25 team if that happens, IMO.

 

[boksooner]

Do we have one spot available, plus another if we lose a player?

Goff has already claimed one spot. Any additional spots would require someone leaving.

 

[NickZepp]

If these guys continue to improve next years group can contend for a Big 12 title. I don't know anything about Osby, Goff or anyone else we have coming in. But we have 3 really good young talented players right now with Fitz, Newell, and Clark. And Thompson looks like he'll be a good leader.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I'm not counting on an extra scholly for next season until proven otherwise. Everyone keeps counting Hardrick out on next years team. He may just be happy being at Oklahoma just like we want every kid to be and may not care if he plays or not. Unless someone knows something I don't then I'm not counting on him leaving.

Who else would leave? Thompson & CJ Would have to sit out a year with one to play and Thompson is starting and CJ looks to figure in at some point. Blair...maybe but doubtful, he just needs to get in better shape. Newell, Cam, Pledg, Fitz and Osby aren't going anywhere. TJ Taylor isnt going anywhere unless God forbid this concussion keeps him out. Puma and Franklin aren't on scholarship if I'm not mistaken. So baring academic or disciplinary reasons I don't see another spot outside of Goff.

I would love to hear everyones thoughts on where this extra scholly is going to come from.

capel has said we are going to sign another player ...

and we are actively recruiting PG's ..

what do you think that means

 

[OULad]

Personally I think we need to add 2 more players to compete for a decent NCAA seed.

 

[sooneraia]

The problem is, look at what friggin OSU will have next year. Scary......