Next year it's Big 12 title or bust...

[pnkranger]

Our starting five won't be as good next year, but we will be deeper...who knows what that translates to in terms of conference finish.

 

[campbest]

I just don't see how people can "expect" or call this "OU's year" in respect to the Big XII title with the current roster. It's acceptable to expect a top 3 finish or winning a game or two in the tournament, but anything outside that is very misleading.

 

[Chaser728]

I'd be surprised if Buddy returns. 1) because he isn't going to improve his draft stock next year 2) he did all the pre-season camps over the summer to get recognition from scouts 3) his mom coming to EVERY game this season 4) the roster although deeper next year, won't be has good offensively...Manyang and Lattin will not be TT.

This is THE year for OU basketball. I don't get the notion that we will be better next year at all even if buddy returns. We'd lucky to be at the same level as this year.

I'm more worried about OU basketball after Hield, TT, Spangler, and Cousins are gone.

Who do we have then? Woodard as a senior, Booker, Lattin, Buford...I guess Pritchard will be here but would he start over woodard?

Maybe Kruger can continue to find the diamonds in the rough with the 3* wings he gets but that's risky really. We're lucky Hield and cousins have turned out the way they have

I would disagree with you almost on all you said, except for your expectations of Buddy Hield as a Senior. I think he is probably going to try it out with the draft; and M'Baye he gets drafted. I do believe that he actually can Improve his game by working on becoming an NBA ready PG. That is something he can do at the NBA level for sure, but he has to be drafted by the right team who is willing to be patient with him. However, if he were to work on it this offseason, he would improve his draft stock. This is the one intangible about Buddy that makes me willing to believe that he will have an NBA career, not one overseas; Buddy is a hard worker. I think we all might agree that with better handles, Buddy has the talent to be an NBA PG; not necessarily a starter right away, but an NBA player nonetheless.

Now to your point about being worried, Buddy and Cousins are THE REASON, I trust Kruger's ability to keep our team vieing for a Big 12 champ every year. Buddy and Isaiah were not mere luck as your post would suggest, it was good recruiting, coaching and their ability to receive & respond to that coaching. I have faith that next year we will be a contender once again.

 

[MercedeSooner]

I think Buddy is gone also - really doesn't have that much more to prove at the college level. He'll be able to make a living playing and gave OU 3 great years.

Title or bust ? er....

 

[tycat947]

We had the experience to do it this year. Instead we:

- Lost at home to a .500 team
-Blew a 20 point lead with 15 minutes to play.
-And even had a 5 point lead against the now champions at their place with 4 minutes to play.

If it didn't happen this year I just don't know...

Unfortunately, I tend to agree. 2 three year starters, 2 two year starters and very good transfer. Too many unexplained losses over last few years. Those don't seem to go away.

 

[DenverSooner]

A lot depends on Hield but OU is going to be good either way. If Hield returns, OU will be able to score and probably be a better defensive team. I see Lattin or Manyang being a better rebounder than Thomas and better shot blocker. I see the one not staring being better than Lattin was this year. I see Booker being better. I see Cousins being better. I see Woodard being better. I see Spangler being better. I think Odomes, James, Buford and McNease add a lot of depth that doesn't exist this year. I see Walker being better even if he doesn't play much.

This season OU really needs Booker to score off the bench. Next season OU will have 4-7 guys that can potentially score off the bench. That is a big difference. Kruger can substitute more and go to someone else if Booker isn't having a good game. I suspect someone redshirts. In fact, if I were James or Odomes I would seriously consider redshirting simply because there will not be enough minutes for everyone to play.

 

[dahldennsull]

I think people are reading a lot into that. She came to visit her son. Didn't she come last year too?

pretty sure they said this year was the first time she got to watch him in Lloyd Noble, so would assume they are her first road games as well. (obviously the Bahamas this year, but not sure if she came to Texas or southeast somewhere)

 

[jackson_supersooner]

I just don't see how people can "expect" or call this "OU's year" in respect to the Big XII title with the current roster. It's acceptable to expect a top 3 finish or winning a game or two in the tournament, but anything outside that is very misleading.

I think your saying you don't know how they can call 2014-15 "OUs year" and if so I completely agree. I think if they won the conference this year it woulda been ahead of schedule. Kansas is tough to unseat, thus the 11 straight, so it will take 4 seasoned guys and a good plug in player for Thomas next year. This year my expectations where make it hard on KU, which they did, and finish 2nd, which they still have a chance to do. Also my expectations were to end this one and done crap(big 12 and NCAA tourney wise). We need to get the monkey off our back on that part so that next year they won't be thinking "we still have yet to win a tourney game" and instead will be thinking "we've won games at this part of the season now let's make a run!"

 

[okhoops918]

A lot depends on Hield but OU is going to be good either way. If Hield returns, OU will be able to score and probably be a better defensive team. I see Lattin or Manyang being a better rebounder than Thomas and better shot blocker. I see the one not staring being better than Lattin was this year. I see Booker being better. I see Cousins being better. I see Woodard being better. I see Spangler being better. I think Odomes, James, Buford and McNease add a lot of depth that doesn't exist this year. I see Walker being better even if he doesn't play much.

This season OU really needs Booker to score off the bench. Next season OU will have 4-7 guys that can potentially score off the bench. That is a big difference. Kruger can substitute more and go to someone else if Booker isn't having a good game. I suspect someone redshirts. In fact, if I were James or Odomes I would seriously consider redshirting simply because there will not be enough minutes for everyone to play.

If you expect Manyang, James, Odomes, Buford, and McNease all to contribute next year then you're simply expecting to much. The likely hood that all 5 of those players come in ready to play big 12 basketball is slim to none. Let's say 3 are ready to play. hopefully Manyang, Buford, and Odomes.

We then have:
Woodard
Cousins
Buford
Spangler
Manyang

as starters.

Walker, odomes, booker, Lattin, Mcnease

James RS or limited playing time.

Tell me how that is better than
woodard
cousins
Hield
Spangler
TT

bench: Walker, Booker, Lattin, DJ bennett

You're essentially replacing Buford for Hield, Manyang for TT, adding Odomes, and substituting Mcnease for Bennett.

None of those are UPGRADES.

Get real guys!

this year is 'the year' for awhile for ou bball. yeah, it hasn't gone as spectacular as most wanted but this team is what it is and they got a chance to make a run here in post season play.

I just think expecting a better team next year if Hield leaves is even more overhype than saying this team was a final 4 team coming into season.

If Hield happens to stay, it changes things but I don't think that's a likely case

 

[JBaker]

You're essentially replacing Buford for Hield, Manyang for TT, adding Odomes, and substituting Mcnease for Bennett.

None of those are UPGRADES.

Get real guys!

this year is 'the year' for awhile for ou bball.

Latting is going to get SIGNIFICANTLY better. Woodard will improve a bit as well.

 

[thebigabd]

These types of threads always assume that nobody else in the league will get better.

I bet that isn't the case.

 

[MercedeSooner]

Latting is going to get SIGNIFICANTLY better. Woodard will improve a bit as well.

Lattin has a chance to be a real difference maker inside with his length and athleticism as he continues to grow. We haven't had a guy with that combination for a while.

 

[Max Power]

These types of threads always assume that nobody else in the league will get better.

I bet that isn't the case.

Your right, TCU and Tech might move up to 8 & 9 in stead of 9 & 10

 

[SoonerBounce13]

These types of threads always assume that nobody else in the league will get better.

I bet that isn't the case.

yep TT will dominate

 

[DenverSooner]

These types of threads always assume that nobody else in the league will get better.

I bet that isn't the case.

The negative people always assume nobody else in the conference will lose anyone and that certainly isn't the case.

 

[DenverSooner]

If you expect Manyang, James, Odomes, Buford, and McNease all to contribute next year then you're simply expecting to much. The likely hood that all 5 of those players come in ready to play big 12 basketball is slim to none. Let's say 3 are ready to play. hopefully Manyang, Buford, and Odomes.

I don't expect all five of those guys to be major contributors. What I expect is OU to be a much deeper team and the returning guys to improve.

If OU loses Buddy that changes a lot. I am assuming he stays until he says otherwise.

 

[BoulderSooner]

OU has a chance with our with out heild to improve on D again next season

Buford james and odomes are better athletes than the guys playing now ..

manyang is a shot blocker like we have not had in a long time at OU

 

[okhoops918]

Latting is going to get SIGNIFICANTLY better. Woodard will improve a bit as well.

He may very well get significantly better but there is a huge gap between Tashawn and Lattin and I don't expect him to be better than Tashawn even as a senior.

 

[BoulderSooner]

He may very well get significantly better but there is a huge gap between Tashawn and Lattin and I don't expect him to be better than Tashawn even as a senior.

better at what?? he is already a better rebounder and shot blocker ..

 

[BCSooners]

He may very well get significantly better but there is a huge gap between Tashawn and Lattin and I don't expect him to be better than Tashawn even as a senior.

I see him being better. Also Buford was supposedly going to start if TT wasn't available and before his bad news. Booker going from our best bench player to possibly 3rd best is a huge thing. Depth is a huge thing as you can see this year.