Nice Justin Hisle read about Shepherd's long journey to OU

[AdaSooner]

The more I learn about Jordan Shepherd the more I'm convinced that OU got a steal in signing him. By all accounts, he fits the Kruger mold perfectly. A solid young man on a personal level with a great work ethic, not to mention a skill set that could fill a need next season.

I really like what I have seen and heard about this kid!

http://www.scout.com/college/oklahoma/story/1669746-long-process-pays-off-for-shepherd-ou

 

[Larry72]

Thanks again Justin.
I also think that he will be a real steal. I had a feeling that he would sign during the official visit.

 

[WTSooner]

So what guard doesn't play next year?

No way all of the following play:

Woodard
Strong
McGusty
Shepherd
James
Grandstaff
Odomes

That is 7 players for 6 positions. This year we basically played 5 at those three spots. And I guess this means we can forget about seeing Buford/Doolittle at the 3 as well, b/c the numbers simply don't work.

I honestly think this is a response to where Kruger things we stand with some of our 2017 guards. I have nothing against Shepherd, just don't like the fit UNLESS we aren't landing our top targets in 2017.

 

[usedtobe1]

The more I learn about Jordan Shepherd the more I'm convinced that OU got a steal in signing him. By all accounts, he fits the Kruger mold perfectly. A solid young man on a personal level with a great work ethic, not to mention a skill set that could fill a need next season.

I agree Ada. His highlight film was impressive and by all accounts he has a team-first attitude.

 

[KBaden145]

So what guard doesn't play next year?

No way all of the following play:

Woodard
Strong
McGusty
Shepherd
James
Grandstaff
Odomes

That is 7 players for 6 positions. This year we basically played 5 at those three spots. And I guess this means we can forget about seeing Buford/Doolittle at the 3 as well, b/c the numbers simply don't work.

I honestly think this is a response to where Kruger things we stand with some of our 2017 guards. I have nothing against Shepherd, just don't like the fit UNLESS we aren't landing our top targets in 2017.

Good question. Woodard, James, Grandstaff, and McGusty are locks. Odomes will play some 4 against some teams. To me, it's a competition between Shepherd and Strong for the remaining minutes. Shepherd is a hedge against these 2017 recruits, IMO.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

I really do not see the problem with having a bunch of talented young guards competing for playing time. In fact, this seems like an excellent situation if one wants to maximize the long-term potential of the team. Let the players battle in practice and let the cream rise to the top. May the best man win. Over time, the team should end up with better guards. Competition is a good thing. A locker room full of gym rats is a good thing. If you are a guard on this team, then you better be putting in the extra time in the gym, or the other guards may leave you behind.

Obviously, there are only so many minutes of game time to go around, and someone is likely to get left behind on the bench. There are always transfer opportunities for those players. There are also redshirt opportunities. In addition, you never know when the injury bug might bite the team. It is always good to have extra players if the injury bug does bite; especially if those players are skilled and athletic with the potential for significant development.

Regarding the current roster and the 2017 recruits, Coach Kruger has a plan. Of that I am certain. I am fascinated to see how that plan plays out.

 

[inoref]

I might be wrong but wouldn't shock me to see Odomes leave

 

[furge]

Good question. Woodard, James, Grandstaff, and McGusty are locks. Odomes will play some 4 against some teams. To me, it's a competition between Shepherd and Strong for the remaining minutes. Shepherd is a hedge against these 2017 recruits, IMO.

Grandstaff isn't eligible til second semester, so that's six players for six spots until our stretch run. By then, I think we'll know who can and can't do what. That would be a great time for Odomes to step up and command minutes, if he's going to make it at OU. Strong, Shep, Kam, and Grandstaff are likely to duke it out for backup PG duties (Grandstaff ran some point in practices before the tourney).

 

[KBaden145]

Grandstaff isn't eligible til second semester, so that's six players for six spots until our stretch run. By then, I think we'll know who can and can't do what. That would be a great time for Odomes to step up and command minutes, if he's going to make it at OU. Strong, Shep, Kam, and Grandstaff are likely to duke it out for backup PG duties (Grandstaff ran some point in practices before the tourney).

Grandstaff is going to miss approximately 1/4 of the season. If he is what I think he is, he'll be in the rotation the minute he's eligible. IMO, he'll play very big role on next year's team. Also, he's definitely not going to be a lead guard at OU.

 

[AdaSooner]

I might be wrong but wouldn't shock me to see Odomes leave

A source I trust told me Rashard is happy at OU, and that he is working hard on his game and looking forward to being part of the rotation this fall. My money is on Odomes staying and someone else leaving.

 

[skyvue]

So what guard doesn't play next year?

No way all of the following play:

Woodard
Strong
McGusty
Shepherd
James
Grandstaff
Odomes

That is 7 players for 6 positions. This year we basically played 5 at those three spots. And I guess this means we can forget about seeing Buford/Doolittle at the 3 as well, b/c the numbers simply don't work.

I honestly think this is a response to where Kruger things we stand with some of our 2017 guards. I have nothing against Shepherd, just don't like the fit UNLESS we aren't landing our top targets in 2017.

Shepherd's a freshmen, and not a five-star one. Have you read the interviews with him? He speaks of just wanting to work hard and get better. The improvement that Isaiah and Buddy showed over their four-year careers impressed him and was a big part of why he came to OU.

He doesn't appear to be an entitled kid who expects to start from day one. He's a true freshman who 10 days ago had no idea where he might go to school, so I imagine he'll come in with the right attitude and approach. There's nothing that says a true freshman has to get many minutes; who knows, he might even redshirt.

I just don't see his signing causing any hard feelings. And if he's good enough to get someone else's playing time, how is that a bad thing?

 

[Northbase]

I believe he will redshirt. Just a hunch.

 

[Stikboy]

A source I trust told me Rashard is happy at OU, and that he is working hard on his game and looking forward to being part of the rotation this fall. My money is on Odomes staying and someone else leaving.

Great news. I love his size and athletic skill set.

 

[furge]

A source I trust told me Rashard is happy at OU, and that he is working hard on his game and looking forward to being part of the rotation this fall. My money is on Odomes staying and someone else leaving.

Of all the 2015 recruits, I thought and still think that Rashard has the most upside. I really hope his game takes a leap forward and benefits from all the newly-available minutes next season. His disposition seems to give him a head start, since it sounds like he's not sore about ending the season out of the rotation. If he soaks up the work the coaches ask out of him, I can't wait to see what happens.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Grandstaff isn't eligible til second semester, so that's six players for six spots until our stretch run. By then, I think we'll know who can and can't do what. That would be a great time for Odomes to step up and command minutes, if he's going to make it at OU. Strong, Shep, Kam, and Grandstaff are likely to duke it out for backup PG duties (Grandstaff ran some point in practices before the tourney).

grandstaff would miss 6 games ..

 

[sperry]

grandstaff would miss 6 games ..

Folks in the Freeman thread are saying Grandstaff is likely gone. Unfortunately, when you start hearing smoke like that it's usually true.

 

[furge]

Folks in the Freeman thread are saying Grandstaff is likely gone. Unfortunately, when you start hearing smoke like that it's usually true.

Ugh. Some guys just never content themselves long enough to earn a shot.

 

[WTSooner]

Ugh. Some guys just never content themselves long enough to earn a shot.

How bout we wait until we get the facts before we speculate that is the reason. No reason to think Grandstaff couldn't have started next year, so I'm not sure that is the reason he is leaving.

 

[sperry]

Ugh. Some guys just never content themselves long enough to earn a shot.

I don't think it's a playing time issue, some people are just flakes. You saw it with the kid from McAlester on the football team. Sad when parents aren't willing or able to help their teenage kids not make destructive decisions, but c'est la vie I guess.

 

[CMSOONER]

Folks in the Freeman thread are saying Grandstaff is likely gone. Unfortunately, when you start hearing smoke like that it's usually true.

I don't have any info on this at all. But Gradstaff is a kid who has a kid, and I would assume if he is leaving then he's going home. Can't say I would blame him or that I wouldn't make the same choice. Having a 4 month old myself, I could not imagine not being in her life everyday. Missing 37 months minus holidays and some weekends would be impossible.