Next years team!

[SoonerinNC]

Certainly we will be better.

McGusty and Doolittle are solid bases to build on. But they need to score more within the flow of the offense rather than so much one on one or more.

James has to get his game together. We know he can do better based on his second half last year.

Odomes has shown some good skills but has to improve his game from 10 feet out and also less one on one while others are spectating.

We clearly have suffered inside the last 3 games on both the boards and defense. the two returning guys plus Pollos have to be better. I have hopes for McNeace. He just needs to get open more and get his sky hook off quicker. He also has to get more of the boards that get taken out of his hands.

I'm not sure where Buford fits in. I don't like the number of treys he puts up.

Also the question is whether Freeman will be more than a role player.

Hopefully we will get Young, but only if he plays a team game rather than prep for the pros. We are one on one too much as it is.

I am not ready to give up on Shepherd. Last night the team outscored OSU 23-17 while he was in the game (20-11 in the first half). He guarded Evans in the first half and held him to 3 free throws. Looked like McGusty had Evans most of the night.

While Lattin had only 1 rebound he had 6 blocks that were not mentioned. Of course you miss things like that if you are only looking for things to criticize.

 

[lexusooner]

I suspect Big P is going to start because he is a legitimate big bodied center who bangs, sets picks, and REBOUNDS.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I suspect Big P is going to start because he is a legitimate big bodied center who bangs, sets picks, and REBOUNDS.

Tony Sellars was saying on Twitter that Polla is more like Freeman than a big bodied physical guy who can rebound. I have no idea if that's true but that's what he was saying a few weeks back.

If he's like Freeman, then he's not the answer for rebounding.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Christian

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.


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

Might be true but if you really want someone to take your argument seriously you don't compare apples to oranges.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I suspect Big P is going to start because he is a legitimate big bodied center who bangs, sets picks, and REBOUNDS.

he is not starting over lattin or mcnease ....

 

[sheepdogs1]

c'mon that is uncalled for

A simple observation was made and the person goes all Sarah Bernhardt and for what? If you drove home and ran into traffic and you shared your opinion about said traffic you should be called out for it? This is the epitome of ridiculousness. This is not the first time this has happened as it is the bad movie which has no ending. It is very called for.

 

[OUHoops]

There was a guy on the SoonerScoop.com premium board (some sort of Rivals scout I think) who watched Polla last week. He did not seem impressed. Also saw a tweet that said he got outplayed by a player going to Brown next year. I would not build up any expectations for him next season.

 

[152219]

There was a guy on the SoonerScoop.com premium board (some sort of Rivals scout I think) who watched Polla last week. He did not seem impressed. Also saw a tweet that said he got outplayed by a player going to Brown next year. I would not build up any expectations for him next season.

Not good news if true.

 

[Soonerinkc]

Certainly we will be better.

McGusty and Doolittle are solid bases to build on. But they need to score more within the flow of the offense rather than so much one on one or more.

James has to get his game together. We know he can do better based on his second half last year.

Odomes has shown some good skills but has to improve his game from 10 feet out and also less one on one while others are spectating.

We clearly have suffered inside the last 3 games on both the boards and defense. the two returning guys plus Pollos have to be better. I have hopes for McNeace. He just needs to get open more and get his sky hook off quicker. He also has to get more of the boards that get taken out of his hands.

I'm not sure where Buford fits in. I don't like the number of treys he puts up.

Also the question is whether Freeman will be more than a role player.

Hopefully we will get Young, but only if he plays a team game rather than prep for the pros. We are one on one too much as it is.

I am not ready to give up on Shepherd. Last night the team outscored OSU 23-17 while he was in the game (20-11 in the first half). He guarded Evans in the first half and held him to 3 free throws. Looked like McGusty had Evans most of the night.

While Lattin had only 1 rebound he had 6 blocks that were not mentioned. Of course you miss things like that if you are only looking for things to criticize.

Agree with most...

Bolds in order -
Unfortunately that seems to be the offense we run...dribble weave until it breaks down then drive or shoot a 3.

Odomes - yes..and FT's (especially is he drives)

McNeace - I love his energy and attitude. He just seems so "uncoordinated" right now..I know, he's only been playing a few years.

Freeman - man has he dropped off on his shooting...which is all he had..

Shepard - I actually liked what he did, I think he's made great progress.

Blocks - yes, but out of those 6 how many ended up points for osu? I don't know, but blocking a shot is cool, but if the possession goes back to the other team and they end up scoring it's a mute point really.

 

[Northbase]

Found this online - "Polla was unstoppable scoring 19 points"

 

[WaymanFan]

I want to be excited about next year's team, but I am a little worried at this point. While winning is contagious, so is losing. I'm at a loss as to why this team is not better with two starters from a Final Four team. We also had four up-and-coming sophomores, three of which got quite a bit of playing time in reserve roles last year. Most of us thought the ceiling was winning a game or two in the NCAA tournament. Most also thought the floor was an NIT berth. With six guys back (not counting Cole or walk-ons), I don't think those were unreasonable expectations.

We don't seem to have anyone coming in who will be an "immediate impact" player. So, we're counting on McGusty and Doolittle to carry us. No doubt they will continue to put in the work and get better. However, we still need a PG, still need one of those sophomores to become at least an "Honorable Mention All-Big XII" type of player, and need Lattin to play like a senior leader. I hope we get all that, but it's a lot to ask for right now.

 

[Stikboy]

I want to be excited about next year's team, but I am a little worried at this point. While winning is contagious, so is losing. I'm at a loss as to why this team is not better with two starters from a Final Four team. We also had four up-and-coming sophomores, three of which got quite a bit of playing time in reserve roles last year. Most of us thought the ceiling was winning a game or two in the NCAA tournament. Most also thought the floor was an NIT berth. With six guys back (not counting Cole or walk-ons), I don't think those were unreasonable expectations.

We don't seem to have anyone coming in who will be an "immediate impact" player. So, we're counting on McGusty and Doolittle to carry us. No doubt they will continue to put in the work and get better. However, we still need a PG, still need one of those sophomores to become at least an "Honorable Mention All-Big XII" type of player, and need Lattin to play like a senior leader. I hope we get all that, but it's a lot to ask for right now.

Well said.

 

[coolm]

Hield and Cousins and even Spangler led this group not by their personalities, but as a strong little nucleus. They were the fellas and everyone else played off of them and followed their lead. Even woodard and lattin and james et al. So that little group is gone AND they havent had a dominant personality to model like other teams often do. Thats why no one just "steps up" to fill the place because it's not a place to be filled. We need some other form of continuity to present itself. It can be an ID (such as defense) or a strong personality or a tight knit group. If these guys play together longer all of these heart-breaking games will bring them closer as a group of players and people. So the solution is there no matter what.

 

[usedtobe1]

I don't think this OU is as bad as their record shows. If we had won the UT and OSU games we would be 4-4 in conference play and in 5th place. Instead we lost on last second 3-point shots. We could have easily won a couple more of non-conference games, too.

McGusty and Doolittle are going to be much better next season. Odomes has played well this year. He's our best defender and is the best we have at dribble penetration. Trouble is we don't have a good perimeter offensive threat right now so teams are packing the paint to cut down on his drives .... daring someone to take an outside shot. James also needs to help and play up to his potential.

I'm assuming Kruger is recruiting some PG's as backup plans in case we don't get Trae. I'm also assuming whoever we sign will play ahead of Strong and Sheperd ...... and be a pretty good PG. This team would be above .500 if we had signed Peyton Pritchard last year. His flipping to Oregon at the last minute took the coaches by surprise because he seemed to be a solid commitment, and he flipped so late he didn't give the coaches a chance to get in on another 4 star level HS PG. Pritchard is really, really good.......

Our other big need is improved post play. Polla will help as a space eater that can't be bullied. Lattin and McNeace both need to add 20 lbs in the off-season. Doolittle will be a tough PF ...... he's already pretty good but will be even better next season.

I remain an optimist about the future. This season is an aberration..... lots of snake bites. Getting a quality PG is critical .... the most important position in basketball.

 

[chuckb]

I don't think this OU is as bad as their record shows. If we had won the UT and OSU games we would be 4-4 in conference play and in 5th place. Instead we lost on last second 3-point shots. We could have easily won a couple more of non-conference games, too.

McGusty and Doolittle are going to be much better next season. Odomes has played well this year. He's our best defender and is the best we have at dribble penetration. Trouble is we don't have a good perimeter offensive threat right now so teams are packing the paint to cut down on his drives .... daring someone to take an outside shot. James also needs to help and play up to his potential.

I'm assuming Kruger is recruiting some PG's as backup plans in case we don't get Trae. I'm also assuming whoever we sign will play ahead of Strong and Sheperd ...... and be a pretty good PG. This team would be above .500 if we had signed Peyton Pritchard last year. His flipping to Oregon at the last minute took the coaches by surprise because he seemed to be a solid commitment, and he flipped so late he didn't give the coaches a chance to get in on another 4 star level HS PG. Pritchard is really, really good.......

Our other big need is improved post play. Polla will help as a space eater that can't be bullied. Lattin and McNeace both need to add 20 lbs in the off-season. Doolittle will be a tough PF ...... he's already pretty good but will be even better next season.

I remain an optimist about the future. This season is an aberration..... lots of snake bites. Getting a quality PG is critical .... the most important position in basketball.

I agree with everything here and would add that we'd have also beaten TCU if Woodard had played. We definitely need a point guard and improved post play but we're not that far away. With Pritchard and a healthy Woodard we'd probably be a bubble tournament team, if not likely in.

 

[skyvue]

Pritch-arrrrrrrrd! (shakes fist at the heavens)

 

[usedtobe1]

I agree with everything here and would add that we'd have also beaten TCU if Woodard had played. We definitely need a point guard and improved post play but we're not that far away. With Pritchard and a healthy Woodard we'd probably be a bubble tournament team, if not likely in.

Heck, we could have beaten ISU, too, but blew a big lead.

 

[paboomersooner]

There was a guy on the SoonerScoop.com premium board (some sort of Rivals scout I think) who watched Polla last week. He did not seem impressed. Also saw a tweet that said he got outplayed by a player going to Brown next year. I would not build up any expectations for him next season.

Some have their rose-colored glasses on. Polla chose OU over Penn State and Tulane.

I don't think you need to read between the lines on this one.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Some have their rose-colored glasses on. Polla chose OU over Penn State and Tulane.

I don't think you need to read between the lines on this one.

Yeah, i'm not expecting much.

He will probably be the next nick thomson

 

[AdaSooner]

Some have their rose-colored glasses on. Polla chose OU over Penn State and Tulane.

I don't think you need to read between the lines on this one.

No one is expecting Polla to be more than a big with bulk who is capable of defending the paint and getting his share of rebounds. If he contributes on the offensive end, I see that as a bonus.

With everyone back on the current roster next year, he might even be a candidate to redshirt. But, since there are no highlight videos available on this kid, any opinion about how much or how soon he will be able to contribute is nothing more than speculation at best.

One thing we do know about Polla. There aren't many recruits out there with his size (6' 11" 265), not just this year but any year. Coach Kruger and his staff obviously feel he has a huge upside or they would not have used a ship on him. I'm sure the fact that Polla's coach is one of Lon's former players played a role in that decision.

One more thing we know about Polla. He has already been put through the test of fire when his team played in the National Prep invitational Tournament last month. That tourney boasted some of the best prep programs in the U.S. and several foreign countries; schools like Sunrise Christian Academy, Norte Dame Prep, Montverde Prep, Mt Zion Prep, Bridgton Academy, Brewster Academy, to name just a few. If he's going up against some of the best competution available, who knows how much he will improve between now and the start of the Fall season?