Next year's starting line up

[WTSooner]

We don't need Lattin to be a 3 point threat. We just need him to have a good back to the basket game and a good 12 for shot.

The way today's game is played, yes, you almost must have a 4 that can stretch the defense further than 12 feet, especially if you are talking about playing him next to a 5 that likely won't be able to stretch the defense even that far.

Look at the good teams this year, both in terms of who was at the top of the standings most of the year, and who made FF/Elite 8 type runs. More often than not, those teams had 4's that could stretch out to the three point line, or bigs in general that were dominant inside.

 

[soonerjunky]

Line up 1.
G: Woodard
G: James
G: Granstaff
F: Buford
F: Lattin

Line up 2.
G:Woodard
G: Granstaff
F: Freeman or McGusty
F: Lattin
C: AK

 

[WTSooner]

Line up 1.
G: Woodard
G: James
G: Granstaff
F: Buford
F: Lattin

Line up 2.
G:Woodard
G: Granstaff
F: Freeman or McGusty
F: Lattin
C: AK

Freeman won't play a minute at the 3 his entire time at OU.

And fyi, I've seen a lot of people do this, but if Grandstaff and James are the 2/3, it's in that order, Grandstaff is the 2 and James the 3. James is the more physical, longer of the two. Grandstaff is a two in the mold of a Redick, or somebody like that.

 

[soonerjunky]

Freeman won't play a minute at the 3 his entire time at OU.

And fyi, I've seen a lot of people do this, but if Grandstaff and James are the 2/3, it's in that order, Grandstaff is the 2 and James the 3. James is the more physical, longer of the two. Grandstaff is a two in the mold of a Redick, or somebody like that.

I thought the 2/3 were the same thing? Both wing guards. for instance Buddy played the 3 this year. Cousins 1, Woodard 2, Buddy 3. When Woodard ran the point it was Woodard 1, Cousins 2, and Buddy3. Basically its just another 2 guard on the floor. No "Small Forward" needed.
Freeman has the ability to hit 3's which means if OU wanted to go big they could put him at the "SF/3" spot and get much bigger without losing any shooting ability. Buford could also go in the line up 2 for the Forward position. I also think Mcnease will get plenty of playing time, his offense is coming along. Still doesn't know where to be on defense, but that will come.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I thought the 2/3 were the same thing? Both wing guards. for instance Buddy played the 3 this year. Cousins 1, Woodard 2, Buddy 3. When Woodard ran the point it was Woodard 1, Cousins 2, and Buddy3. Basically its just another 2 guard on the floor. No "Small Forward" needed.
Freeman has the ability to hit 3's which means if OU wanted to go big they could put him at the "SF/3" spot and get much bigger without losing any shooting ability. Buford could also go in the line up 2 for the Forward position. I also think Mcnease will get plenty of playing time, his offense is coming along. Still doesn't know where to be on defense, but that will come.

Someone in another thread said Freeman has been running point for the scout team this year. That's an interesting prospect that probably won't happen next year. If you remember, LK tried to play Cousins at the 1 a few times his freshman and soph years and it was a disaster but as time went on he got better and better. So, before he's done, I bet Freeman is a PG at OU.

 

[chuckb]

I thought the 2/3 were the same thing? Both wing guards. for instance Buddy played the 3 this year. Cousins 1, Woodard 2, Buddy 3. When Woodard ran the point it was Woodard 1, Cousins 2, and Buddy3. Basically its just another 2 guard on the floor. No "Small Forward" needed.
Freeman has the ability to hit 3's which means if OU wanted to go big they could put him at the "SF/3" spot and get much bigger without losing any shooting ability. Buford could also go in the line up 2 for the Forward position. I also think Mcnease will get plenty of playing time, his offense is coming along. Still doesn't know where to be on defense, but that will come.

I'd be very surprised if Freeman could defend the 3. He's a 4, for sure. Seeing him at the practice in Houston Friday, he's every bit as tall as Lattin and McNeace. I just don't see him being able to guard any 3's we played against this season.

 

[BCSooners]

Someone in another thread said Freeman has been running point for the scout team this year. That's an interesting prospect that probably won't happen next year. If you remember, LK tried to play Cousins at the 1 a few times his freshman and soph years and it was a disaster but as time went on he got better and better. So, before he's done, I bet Freeman is a PG at OU.

No he won't. Unless we go to 2-3 zone and he is the next Kyle Anderson (which he isn't) then he will be a stretch 4 for his career with the possibility to move to the 3.

 

[BCSooners]

2017 PF, Theo John 4* is taking an official to OU this weekend. Too bad he can't come in next year. He would be a day 1 starter

I don't think the #119 player is coming in and beating out Lattin, Buford, Mcnease, & Manyang.

 

[Big Old Booger]

No he won't. Unless we go to 2-3 zone and he is the next Kyle Anderson (which he isn't) then he will be a stretch 4 for his career with the possibility to move to the 3.

I would agree he seems like he would be a 4 but someone posted he's been playing PG in practice.

 

[BCSooners]

I would agree he seems like he would be a 4 but someone posted he's been playing PG in practice.

Yeah I find that weird but Lon has his reasons. Maybe training him to be an inbounder who would be the pressure release against presses.

 

[CoachTalk]

Gary mentioned PG, I think he was kidding!

Yeah John isn't starting from day 1.

 

[KBaden145]

I would agree he seems like he would be a 4 but someone posted he's been playing PG in practice.

I imagine what they saw was Freeman at the top of the key in some half court set work, initiating the play. That doesn't mean he was playing PG. Freeman is the very definition of a 'stretch' 4. That is what he is, plain and simple. He isn't a 3 or a 5. He brings a ton of skill and variety to our big rotation. He needs to get thicker and stronger but he is a skilled BIG not a small forward. Put anything else out of your minds, please...

 

[Max Power]

Gary mentioned PG, I think he was kidding!

Yeah John isn't starting from day 1.

That's what every one said about Gary in the fall when he said Cousins was running the point with the ones.

 

[MichaelM]

ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 has OU at #18. The writer says: "Similar to Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, you just assume Kruger will figure things out."

 

[vbdad]

I've changed my guess.

PG-Strong or McGusty Jordan just like this year
SG-Woodard
wing-James
PF-Freeman
C-Lattin

Buford, McNease, Grandstaff, Doolittle and Odomes are all probably in the mix.

Don't expect AK to return.

 

[garyeb2]

I've changed my guess.

PG-Strong or McGusty Jordan just like this year
SG-Woodard
wing-James
PF-Freeman
C-Lattin

Buford, McNease, Grandstaff, Doolittle and Odomes are all probably in the mix.

Don't expect AK to return.

Ah, good insight. I am with you.

 

[sperry]

ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 has OU at #18. The writer says: "Similar to Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, you just assume Kruger will figure things out."

I wonder who is going to break the news to the writer that Bo Ryan hasn't been the Wisconsin coach for almost a year.

 

[Sooner04]

I've changed my guess.

PG-Strong or McGusty Jordan just like this year
SG-Woodard
wing-James
PF-Freeman
C-Lattin

Buford, McNease, Grandstaff, Doolittle and Odomes are all probably in the mix.

Don't expect AK to return.

I look forward to the battle between Freeman and Buford. I think Dante is going to surprise a lot of people.

I had no expectations of Manyang in 2016, and I don't expect him to be around in 2017 either. I look forward to lots of improvement out of McNease. He's going to be a big plus once he gets more comfortable on defense.

 

[CoachTalk]

I wonder who is going to break the news to the writer that Bo Ryan hasn't been the Wisconsin coach for almost a year.

He resigned mid year. in december....?

 

[WTSooner]

I look forward to lots of improvement out of McNease. He's going to be a big plus once he gets more comfortable on defense.

Dude needs to eat a couple of cheeseburgers.