Next year's starting line up

[152219]

I don't see James as a 3 at all. He is listed at 6'4" and I think that's being generous. He looks like a ideal PG (Size). I would bet he could play some point. He seems more composed that cousins as a freshman. If you remember Cousins was terrible as a freshman, now he's pretty good. I'm not saying he can or will play PG, just he is more capable of playing the 1 than the 3. McGusty and James seem to play the same position, McGusty seems to be a little more of an athlete and a little taller. With that said I see James at the 2 and McGusty at the 3, maybe both at the 2 (McGusty off the bench).
If I was coach I would try
1. James 2. Woodard 3. Grandstaff 4. Lattin 5. AK/Jamuni

Did James play PG in HS? From what I've read McGusty has actually played some PG.

James is the same height as Buddy.

 

[bgrch1350]

He couldn't take meaningful minutes from Spangler who was playing on one leg since January...

Hell Kruger even experimented with having James play the 4. Lol

One leg? He wins every jump ball. Dunks pretty easily. Really good all year rebounding. Tell me more about Spangler on one leg?

 

[soonerjunky]

One leg? He wins every jump ball. Dunks pretty easily. Really good all year rebounding. Tell me more about Spangler on one leg?

Dunking is easy when you're 6'8", even on one leg. Spangler had explosion at times, it was the wear and tear throughout the game that gave him problems. That's why he would not have the sleeve on his leg, then switch to it after the game got started.

 

[bgrch1350]

Buford did get more consistent minutes during the regular season: From mid-February forward, he played double-digit minutes in every regular-season game, while James was up and down -- single digits in minutes for two or three games, double digits for a couple of games, then back to single digits.

But in the tourney, James played significantly larger role: After playing just five minutes against CSU Bakersfield, he played 14, 28, 26, and 12 minutes in the remaining games. Buford played 18 minutes against CSU Bakersfield, but dropped to 7, 7, 13, and 8 minutes in the rest of the tourney games.

The two players' stats were remarkably similar, considering Buford played so many more minutes on the season (442 total minutes to James' 330). Buford averaged 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rebounds and .6 assists. James scored 3 ppg while also averaging 1.8 rebounds and .6 assists.

Beginning of Feb games to end of big 12.
2/2 - 13 min
2/6 - 1 min
2/8 - 5 min
2/13 - 11 min
2/17 - 0 min
2/20 - 1 min
2/24 - 15 min
2/27 - 12 min
3/1 - 0 min
3/5 - 4 min
3/10 - 4 min
3/11 - 17 min

Where is the consistency in his minutes?

 

[bgrch1350]

Dunking is easy when you're 6'8", even on one leg. Spangler had explosion at times, it was the wear and tear throughout the game that gave him problems. That's why he would not have the sleeve on his leg, then switch to it after the game got started.

I watched Buddy with the sleeve and then without the sleeve. He could have been doing the same thing Buddy was doing in regards to that sleeve.

 

[soonerjunky]

Beginning of Feb games to end of big 12.
2/2 - 13 min
2/6 - 1 min
2/8 - 5 min
2/13 - 11 min
2/17 - 0 min
2/20 - 1 min
2/24 - 15 min
2/27 - 12 min
3/1 - 0 min
3/5 - 4 min
3/10 - 4 min
3/11 - 17 min

Where is the consistency in his minutes?

Where do you see Buford playing, 3 or 4? Do you feel he should start? Did he earn it this year? I remember him struggling at the 4 this year, seems to have done better on the wing, hitting 3's. I think he is more 3 than 4, but needs to lean up a little and get quicker. Or bulk up to play the 4, but right now he's a tweener

 

[skyvue]

Beginning of Feb games to end of big 12.
2/2 - 13 min
2/6 - 1 min
2/8 - 5 min
2/13 - 11 min
2/17 - 0 min
2/20 - 1 min
2/24 - 15 min
2/27 - 12 min
3/1 - 0 min
3/5 - 4 min
3/10 - 4 min
3/11 - 17 min

Where is the consistency in his minutes?

Who are you arguing with? That's what I said.

 

[sperry]

Did James play PG in HS? From what I've read McGusty has actually played some PG.

James is the same height as Buddy.

Yeah, I would expect James to be on the wing. He is probably capable of playing the point, but we're likely better off with him playing the position that Buddy played, which is also what he played this season.

Plus, hopefully Trae Young will be running the point by '17-'18 anyway.

 

[bgrch1350]

Who are you arguing with? That's what I said.

I quoted the wrong person. Sorry

 

[KBaden145]

I don't see James as a 3 at all. He is listed at 6'4" and I think that's being generous. He looks like a ideal PG (Size). I would bet he could play some point. He seems more composed that cousins as a freshman. If you remember Cousins was terrible as a freshman, now he's pretty good. I'm not saying he can or will play PG, just he is more capable of playing the 1 than the 3. McGusty and James seem to play the same position, McGusty seems to be a little more of an athlete and a little taller. With that said I see James at the 2 and McGusty at the 3, maybe both at the 2 (McGusty off the bench).

If I was coach I would try

1. James 2. Woodard 3. Grandstaff 4. Lattin 5. AK/Jamuni

McGusty is 6-5 but only weighs about a buck eighty. James is 6-4 but up over 2 bills. McGusty is a slashing lane attacker who can shoot but is also a good distributor. James has the body and physicality to play bigger than he is and that's a reason Coach used him at the 4 some. James will slide into Hield's spot at the 3 and be pretty comfortable there, I believe. McGusty should be competing with Grandstaff for minutes at the 2, once he's available. There are slight differences in the positions in Coach's system but they are essentially interchangeable. James competition at the 3 most likely will be Odomes.

Woodard might stay at the 2 but I don't think there is any way that is a permanent situation. He has too much experience running the point and that's such a vital position. I could see them experimenting with others (Strong and/or McGusty) at the 1 but anybody but Jordan getting the majority of time there would surprise me a great deal.

 

[152219]

Beginning of Feb games to end of big 12.
2/2 - 13 min
2/6 - 1 min
2/8 - 5 min
2/13 - 11 min
2/17 - 0 min
2/20 - 1 min
2/24 - 15 min
2/27 - 12 min
3/1 - 0 min
3/5 - 4 min
3/10 - 4 min
3/11 - 17 min

Where is the consistency in his minutes?

It should be noted that before the 2/17 game James hurt his ankle in practice and thus the 0 minute played and likely the reason he only got 1 minute on 2/20.

 

[bgrch1350]

Where do you see Buford playing, 3 or 4? Do you feel he should start? Did he earn it this year? I remember him struggling at the 4 this year, seems to have done better on the wing, hitting 3's. I think he is more 3 than 4, but needs to lean up a little and get quicker. Or bulk up to play the 4, but right now he's a tweener

I see Buford at the 4. I see him being like Osby. I think he's further along then Osby was but Osby redshirted as a junior and Buford redshirted as a freshman.

He needs to get stronger with the ball when he goes up for dunks. I think that will come. He was voted best dunker or athlete or something like that so he plays bigger than he is.

 

[bgrch1350]

It should be noted that before the 2/17 game James hurt his ankle in practice and thus the 0 minute played and likely the reason he only got 1 minute on 2/20.

also note that Walker on 2/2 had 15 minutes. 2/24 Walker had 14 minutes. So not all the games that James got bigger minutes did he take minutes away from Walker.

 

[152219]

also note that Walker on 2/2 had 15 minutes. 2/24 Walker had 14 minutes. So not all the games that James got bigger minutes did he take minutes away from Walker.

Just in the NCAA tourney

 

[tmeyer3307]

Mcgusty is a 1 or 2!!! I would like to see him and Grandstaff split minutes at the 2 for the first season. Let James start at 3 and have Odomes back him up or play a little 4 too! We could possibly go small some and go woodard, grandstaff Mcgusty and James at 4 with Lattin at 5. We used James as the 4 a few times this year.

 

[WTSooner]

McGusty - 165lbs
James - 205lbs

That is why I list James as the 3, and McGusty as the 2. It's not just about height.

James is nearly identical in size to Buddy, who has been our 3 for a few years now. And James is a pretty good rebounder (for a guard), like Buddy is.

 

[Max Power]

McGusty - 165lbs
James - 205lbs

That is why I list James as the 3, and McGusty as the 2. It's not just about height.

James is nearly identical in size to Buddy, who has been our 3 for a few years now. And James is a pretty good rebounder (for a guard), like Buddy is.

Would not surprised if that was 212-215 at the start of next season. he will get a full off season work out program this year. Not sure how much of one he got last year after the leg injury

 

[BCSooners]

Would not surprised if that was 212-215 at the start of next season. he will get a full off season work out program this year. Not sure how much of one he got last year after the leg injury

I honestly believe he'll tone up more than bulk up. I think his leg injury made him overweight so he was working with that as well. My guess is that he stays around 205 and slims up a little then the years after start putting on the extra muscle, much like Buddy did.

 

[BCSooners]

I can also see if Freeman and Doolittle aren't ready to contribute then Odomes could see some spot time at the 4 with Buford and possibly Lattin depending on match ups. He did this early in the year. If he can guard the other teams 4 he will be hard to guard since he can rebound and get to the rim.

 

[152219]

I can also see if Freeman and Doolittle aren't ready to contribute then Odomes could see some spot time at the 4 with Buford and possibly Lattin depending on match ups. He did this early in the year. If he can guard the other teams 4 he will be hard to guard since he can rebound and get to the rim.

Next year will be fascinating in regards to playing time and the flexibility that Kruger will have to play with in regards to the roster. Cannot wait.