Next years team!

[Smash Williams]

I don't know whether Evans returns or not, but how much does he have to gain by staying in school? How realistic is it that his draft stock significantly improves by staying in school? The big knock on Evans is his size. Another year in school doesn't change that.

Evans would have to significantly improve his production just to maintain his stock. Upperclassmen are held to a higher standard in the draft, since they're older. Short of a Buddy Hield-like leap or a Kemba Walker-type run, what can Evans do as a junior to catapult his draft stock? Are there one or two specific skills or areas that he can improve upon enough to make that jump?

I haven't watched him enough to have a strong opinion. I'm just throwing it out there.

 

[chuckb]

Hope everyone gets their shots in this year because next year we're going to be good. Laugh all you want. Being so young is rough I've been there with my HS teams before.

I agree, provided we have someone to run the point.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Agreed. I can't even make up an excuse for Khadeem and Jamuni. Two rebounds combined for a 6' 9" and a 6' 10" big? Are you kidding me???!! That is beyond embarrassing!

Rebounding is 70% hustle and wanting the ball more than the next guy. That says a lot for what Lattin and McNeace did last night, or I should say, failed to do.

I've said it before and I will say it again. The player we miss the most from the past few seasons is Ryan Spangler. We win that game and probably 3-4 other games with him on the team this year just based off his rebounding alone. How many games have we watched the other team get 2nd chance points after 2nd chance points. Most of those are rebounds Spangler would get from the boards.

So, yes, we need a point guard but we need a rebounder. Go find a guy like a Jameel Haywood or Johnny Gilbert who can rebound and take some space inside.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Unless you're CJ apparently :facepalm

I agree they'll be better but this team still is like that other group where they've got this monkey on their back for all these close losses. WVU you saw a glimpse of what they can be when they stay level headed at the end of games (Or Woodard just takes over like a true SR. leader).

Two cheap shots at specific players in one post. That might be some kind of record, but I doubt it.

You really want to call out a walkon and a player who has played as well as Jordan Woodard for 4 years. That's some kind of entitled fan. :facepalm

 

[MsProudSooner]

Phil Forte outrebounded Khadeem!... Inexcusable man

Wow - there's the 3rd in one thread. :facepalm

 

[Big Old Booger]

Wow - there's the 3rd in one thread. :facepalm

I'm afraid he's "that guy" who boos the players at the game and probably yells obscenities at them. Sad. :facepalm

 

[MsProudSooner]

I'm afraid he's "that guy" who boos the players at the game and probably yells obscenities at them. Sad. :facepalm

Probably hasn't been in LNC in a long time.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Wow - there's the 3rd in one thread. :facepalm

stating that CJ has regressed from last year, that woodard isn't playing like a senior, and that Lattin was out rebounded by phil forte are not cheap shots. They are sad facts

 

[MsProudSooner]

stating that CJ has regressed from last year, that woodard isn't playing like a senior, and that Lattin was out rebounded by phil forte are not cheap shots. They are sad facts

CJ = CJ Cole or Christian James?

Woodard hasn't played his best the last two games, but otherwise you couldn't ask for much more.

If you want to complain about Lattin's rebounds, at least compare him to someone who rebounds under the basket instead of 10 - 12 feet away. I believe that's called false equivalency.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

CJ = CJ Cole or Christian James?

Christian

Woodard hasn't played his best the last two games, but otherwise you couldn't ask for much more.

He has played down right terribly the last three games. UP to that point he had been having a good season.
Last three games: 5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1 apg and some crucial late game blunders. Shooting 2 of 14 overall and 2 of 11 from three. 1 steal total for all three games.

If you want to complain about Lattin's rebounds, at least compare him to someone who rebounds under the basket instead of 10 - 12 feet away. I believe that's called false equivalency.

OK. Well name anybody else on the court that plays under the basket and i'm guessing they had more rebounds them lattin lol

 

[Chiefdaddy]

I don't get why alot of you apologize for this year. We knew it was coming after we graduated Hield, Cousins, and Spangler. We should have been prepared. James can't be trusted. Recruit over him and whatever he gives you off the bench is extra. Build around McGusty and Doolittle. Latin is a role player and always will be. I wasn't buying Lon saying his offense had improved this year before the season started. We obviously need Trae or a scoring PG and we also need another scorer. This team needs to be in the gym shooting shot after shot to improve in that area. No one respects Odomes because he can't shoot. Shepard will get better but let's be real, he was headed to James Madison for a reason. We need to recruit some studs to come in and ball. McNease is getting better but he was a project. While we are young, I'm tired of that excuse. They aren't young anymore. They are still making the same mistakes over and over. It's hard to say you are young when some of the best teams in the nation are also young.

 

[BCSooners]

I don't get why alot of you apologize for this year. We knew it was coming after we graduated Hield, Cousins, and Spangler. We should have been prepared. James can't be trusted. Recruit over him and whatever he gives you off the bench is extra. Build around McGusty and Doolittle. Latin is a role player and always will be. I wasn't buying Lon saying his offense had improved this year before the season started. We obviously need Trae or a scoring PG and we also need another scorer. This team needs to be in the gym shooting shot after shot to improve in that area. No one respects Odomes because he can't shoot. Shepard will get better but let's be real, he was headed to James Madison for a reason. We need to recruit some studs to come in and ball. McNease is getting better but he was a project. While we are young, I'm tired of that excuse. They aren't young anymore. They are still making the same mistakes over and over. It's hard to say you are young when some of the best teams in the nation are also young.

We have scorers, we just need them to be more consistent. Odomes has been very good this year.

As for being young compared to Kentucky, Duke, etc. being young. It's completely different when you look at the type of players coming in. OU being young isn't the same because they recruit 4 year players, UK recruits 1 & done dudes.

 

[usedtobe1]

I agree, point guard is definite need. But, does no one think Shepard can continue to develop into one? I mean he had a great game against Memphis (18 points with 0 turnovers) and honestly a great one against Auburn. I really like his size (slightly shorter than cousins) and has a pretty good looking shot, mechanically speaking. He gave me a lot of hope after the Memphis and Auburn game that there is something there. He just needs more game experience and confidence as all of the young guys do.

I'm sure Sheperd will be much improved next season, but I honestly don't see him as our primary PG for the next 3 years. I think he will be a good backup.

We need a step-change. Someone who has both speed and court vision. I want a PG who averages almost as many assists as points. Plays good defense and knows how and when to run the offense. A fighter who never gives up.

I loved Mookie when he played at OU. I liked Jon Ontjes and Austin Johnson. Quannas White never got the credit he deserved. I absolutely love Chris Paul of the Clippers ...... he epitomizes the ideal PG.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Wow - there's the 3rd in one thread. :facepalm

And your point is? The smallest player on the court outrebounded our center and you want to sit around and wonder why OU keeps losing without having to place ANY blame on players, coaches, etc. Grow up Ma'am blame gets placed on losses in the real world everywhere you go lol

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I'm afraid he's "that guy" who boos the players at the game and probably yells obscenities at them. Sad. :facepalm

Only if they're paid and I'm a paying customer. Wouldn't yell at players at a college fame I attended. The hypocrisy of calling me out for "cheap shots" at players is unreal on this board.

 

[okhoops918]

Do any of the freshman coming in play over doolittle or Lattin/Mcnease?

Doubtful..

But the finnish guy plays some backup Center minutes but I can't see him starting off the bat.

We have no PG committed and Trae is a no go.
The NJ kid is an option but not an elite talent.

Sheperd/1 PG recruit unknown
CJ
Mcgusty/Odomes
doolittle/Buford
Lattin/Mcnease

Same roster essentially. We need a impact HS recruit unlikely at this point and probably a JUCO or grad transfer more likely

 

[AdaSooner]

CJ = CJ Cole or Christian James?

Woodard hasn't played his best the last two games, but otherwise you couldn't ask for much more.

If you want to complain about Lattin's rebounds, at least compare him to someone who rebounds under the basket instead of 10 - 12 feet away. I believe that's called false equivalency.

I think my record for defending our players speaks for itself (see my numerous posts in defense of Christian James), Woodard too when he's criticized unjustly. There is ZERO defense for Lattin and McNeace finishing last night's game with a combined two rebounds.

How could that happen? Here are a few of the reasons. They would rather block shots than fight for position to limit second chance points, or make the effort necessary to secure a rebound. They don't have a clue what boxing out means. They also play soft. Lattin even allowed Forte to take the ball out of his hands at a critical point of the game like a purse snatcher might do. If you asked them what it meant to be tough, they would think you're talking about a top sirloin or a pork steak.

If I offend someone by being honest about how I feel when players go through the motions for playing hard, so be it. I have always been just as quick, if not more so, to praise them when they do well.

This team was a minus 13 rebounds in last night's game. Let me repeat that. OU got 13 fewer rebounds than our undersized opponent.. Our two tallest and most athletic post players were largely to blame for that!

Keep quiet? Justify their mental errors? Make excuses when they don't play hard? Sorry, no can do!

 

[Laxtothemax12]

CJ = CJ Cole or Christian James?

Woodard hasn't played his best the last two games, but otherwise you couldn't ask for much more.

If you want to complain about Lattin's rebounds, at least compare him to someone who rebounds under the basket instead of 10 - 12 feet away. I believe that's called false equivalency.

OK. See the "Mitchell Fing Solomon" thread to clarify. Our two biggest players had a combined 2 rebounds and you want to just brush it off? Ok that's fine but where do you shoulder the blame for all these losses? Maybe it's 2017 and we are all winners in this PC world :dance005:

 

[sheepdogs1]

Wow - there's the 3rd in one thread. :facepalm

That is an observation and nothing but an observation. What in the hell is wrong with your skull?

 

[SoonerBounce13]

That is an observation and nothing but an observation. What in the hell is wrong with your skull?

c'mon that is uncalled for