Next Year...

[pnkranger]

...I think it's going to be a fun year. There are going to be 12 guys who can play competing with LOTS of playing time up for grabs. Woodard's got 30 minutes per game locked up, but everything else is wide open. Really interested to see how Christian James grows with a healthy off season, and seeing McGusty.

Bring on Bolden, and I think we can be right back where we are next year.

 

[perryj74]

The thing that is exciting is the amount of talent on campus. If they work as hard and progress as much as Buddy and Isiah things could get really special in a year or two.

 

[pnkranger]

I'm actually pretty excited to see Woodard back on the ball again running the team.

 

[oudna]

It'll be a struggle but should lay the foundation for '18.

 

[skyvue]

...I think it's going to be a fun year. There are going to be 12 guys who can play competing with LOTS of playing time up for grabs. Woodard's got 30 minutes per game locked up, but everything else is wide open. Really interested to see how Christian James grows with a healthy off season, and seeing McGusty.

Bring on Bolden, and I think we can be right back where we are next year.

I expect a noticeable dropoff next season, merely because of the lack of experience, but it'll be great fun to watch the young guys progress throughout the season, and who knows, by season's end, we could have a pretty salty team.

 

[perryj74]

I expect a noticeable dropoff next season, merely because of the lack of experience, but it'll be great fun to watch the young guys progress throughout the season, and who knows, by season's end, we could have a pretty salty team.

I'm thinking like Wisconsin this year

 

[skyvue]

I'm thinking like Wisconsin this year

I could see that happening. Hopefully, we make it into the tourney, so we have a chance to make some noise, as Wisconsin has done.

 

[CoachTalk]

Young ones will take time to adjust for sure, but as mentioned in another thread I like to see the growth of these players.

Preseason practices will be a blast to watch these guys compete.

BUT, Im enjoying Buddy and company, this is too fun not to sit back and enjoy.

 

[Sooner04]

...I think it's going to be a fun year.

A REALLY fun year. The type of year coaches live for, where the molding really takes place. Practices will be balls to the wall for all minutes except Woodard's.

Our NCAA seeding has been higher every year Lon's been here....only one more step to go. I'm not going to bet against him. ldwt356:

 

[coolm]

I really look fwd to next year as well. It's gonna be fun watching those kids meld together as a team.

 

[OUFtball]

I'm thinking like Wisconsin this year

That would be great..They are in the Sweet 16!!!

 

[sheepdogs1]

We might be less guard oriented next year. We'll see how that plays out.

 

[sperry]

Offense is is going to be a struggle. We are graduating a ton of offensive firepower. Grandstaff will be huige next year, IMO.

 

[CoachTalk]

We might be less guard oriented next year. We'll see how that plays out.

Guards are still key. Lattin, AK, Jamuni arent guys we throw it to 20 times for shots.

Wood, James, Odomes, Austin Dante McGusty will be most important.

 

[AdaSooner]

I expect a noticeable dropoff next season, merely because of the lack of experience, but it'll be great fun to watch the young guys progress throughout the season, and who knows, by season's end, we could have a pretty salty team.

^
This.

I think the competition for playing time next year is going to create more interest and excitement than any season in my recent memory. Our roster will be loaded with quality talent at every position. The only question mark may be the starter and the backup at the point?

While it's logical to assume Jordan will start, I don't believe that's a certainty if one of the players on our roster now or coming in next year proves he's capable of filling Cousins' shoes. I think LK would like to duplicate the success we had this season by playing two point guards, with a taller guard running the offense, leaving Jordan free to roam the perimeter from the wing. If no one steps up, I can see Jordan locked in as the starter at the one all of next season.

Loaded with talent or not, it would be foolish to expect a repeat of the start we had this season. Three of our starters, one of them an almost certain national POY will be gone. Our experience will consist of two returning starters and five players who saw limited action this season. On paper, there will definitely be enough talent on our roster to compete at a high level. But, anything can happen when talent, inexperience and several new faces meet for the first time. One thing you can be sure of, it will be interesting, exciting and frustrating at the same time.

 

[sdcloud9]

I see OU as a Texas Tech type team next year.

OU will improve as the year goes along and perhaps get in the tournament as a 10 or 11 seed.

If they somehow get Bolden, that may change some things.

 

[tmeyer3307]

If we land Bolden I think sweet 16 for Sure!!! No Bolden I say finish middle of Big 12 and make the tourney.. Try to win 1 game and go from there. Mcgusty is the real deal I hear and James looks good.

I think the most important players are Buford and Odomes. Size and athleticism is what they bring and are kind of wild cards to me.

Grandstaff you know what you get, I don't expect anything crazy from him his first year. (Shooter)

Lattin same thing.. Great defense hopefully he can score 10-11 points a game and play 30mins.

AK/Mcnece bring size/defense but can't expect them to score more than 6-10 points per game.

 

[TheMont]

I'm very excited for next year. It's gonna be fun.

It'll be interesting to see how Jordan adjusts to his role as being THE guy. He's gotten his this year because Buddy and Cousins demand so much attention. I also expect him to improve even more. He seems to have fully adopted Buddy's work ethic.

We're probably going to struggle on the boards. Spangler will be very missed.

 

[Big Old Booger]

If we land Bolden I think sweet 16 for Sure!!! No Bolden I say finish middle of Big 12 and make the tourney.. Try to win 1 game and go from there. Mcgusty is the real deal I hear and James looks good.

I think the most important players are Buford and Odomes. Size and athleticism is what they bring and are kind of wild cards to me.

Grandstaff you know what you get, I don't expect anything crazy from him his first year. (Shooter)

Lattin same thing.. Great defense hopefully he can score 10-11 points a game and play 30mins.

AK/Mcnece bring size/defense but can't expect them to score more than 6-10 points per game.

You guys underestimate Lattin too much. I know nothing about Bolden but the VCU coach said the key for OU is for Lattin to stay on the court. He says if Lattin can stay on the court we can win the NC. Lattin is much better offensively this year than last and next year he will be even better.

Next year we could play him and either Jamuni or Manyang together and then we are a force on defense. I don't think next year will be quite as good as this year but probably better than the last 3 years.

And, NO WAY, we are a "Texas Tech type team" next year. NO.WAY. At worst, we will be a 4th-6th place team next year. Although I see us as better than ISU, TCU, Tech, Baylor, OSU and WV. I see us being as good as Texas and KSU and maybe a step back from KU.

 

[tmeyer3307]

Agree on the boards deal. That's why I hope Odomes or Mcgusty can be the third guard because of their size and length. Buford just can't rebound or play defense at least right now so starting him at the 4 makes me nervous. Lattin I would say is a very average rebounder at this point as well.