OU bball live chat with Mike Baldwin

[BigTime]

Right now - send in your questions...

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[BigTime]

Don't have to register to post and he has already answered my question.

 

[DenverSooner]

I don't see where you submit a question. Ask him to comment on M'Baye's impact next season.

Another good one would be the impact he thinks Hornbeak and Hield will have next season.

 

[BigTime]

I don't see where you submit a question. Ask him to comment on M'Baye's impact next season.

Another good one would be the impact he thinks Hornbeak and Hield will have next season.

Its in the top right corner of the page under "comment section". You may have to close an ad or something to see it.

 

[BigTime]

bball questions and answers thus far:

Comment From Geoff
Can Steven Pledger keep up his scoring once conference play starts?


Mike Baldwin:
Geoff: It might be difficult to average 19.5 points in league play. Pledger is patient but the OU staff and his teammates make sure to set screens to try and get him open since he currently has the highest FG pct. in the country (over 60 percent) for any guard.
And if defenses concentrate too much on Pledger there are three or four other players capable of scoring 15 or more points any game.

Comment From Stu
Who is the best dunker on OU's roster in your opinion? Cam? Osby? M'baye?


Mike Baldwin:
Stu: Cameron Clark, without question, has the best highlight reel dunks. He's had some tomahawk (sp) dunks this year that have been spectacular, including a windmill dunk. Osby can throw it down. M'Baye, the Wyoming transfer who is sitting out this season, is a great dunker but I haven't seen enough of him to compare him. Tyler Neal is highly underrated for his athleticism. Neal was voted the team's best dunker last season. I'd go with Clark but they have a lot of really good dunkers.

Comment From Guest
If Sooners win out in Non-Con, how many wins will it take during the 18 game Big 12 season to make it back to the dance? It seems soooo long ago since OU was playing during MM.

Mike Baldwin:
If the Sooners go 11-1 in non-conference -- the road game at Cincinnati next week being the only possible loss -- they'lre probably a slam dunk to make the NCAA Tournament if they go 9-9 in league play, especiallly if the resume includes a win or two over a nationally ranked team at home like Kansas, Baylor, Missouri and Texas A&M.
I would say a 20-10 record would be plenty good enough since the Big 12 power rankings will be pretty good to help offset a mediocre non-league schedule.
If they go 8-10 in league play or 19-11 or worse they might need a couple of wins in the Big 12 Tournament.

Comment From Guest
Have you heard anything about Sooner recruit, Jarion Henry (Skeeter's son) coming in during the January semester? Think Kruger is doing a great job with this group.


Mike Baldwin:
I haven't heard whether he made the grades to make it. I'll ask after tonight's game. Even if he qualifies a semester early he might have to redshirt. He's still raw. And he would have so much catching up to do. I'll investigate.

 

[BigTime]

Comment From Mike
Will Sooners sign another hoops recruit since Newell departed?

Mike Baldwin:
Mike: The Sooners actually were a scholarship short when they signed the kid out of Sperry, who they were asking to walk on. If they have an extra scholarshipit would go to him.


Comment From Rich
Why did Casey Arent not play against Houston?

Mike Baldwin:
Casey Arent, C.J. Washington and Barry Honore will have their playing time fluctuate based on how they're playing and the opponent.
Washington brings energy. Honore is a big body. Arent is a capable reserve. All three will play some but it will be limited and it could change game to game, week to week depending on how they're playing overall, including practice, and who the Sooners are playing.

Comment From Guest
What are some of the differences that you have noticed as the bball beat writer between the way Capel ran his program and the way Kruger runs his? Very impressed with Kruger thus far!

Mike Baldwin:
The biggest difference is Kruger is trying to utilize this team's strengths on the perimeter more. He's picked up the tempo and tries to trap defensively, whether it's in the half court or occasional full court.
Also keep in mind Romero Osby has provided much needed rebounding and Sam Grooms gives the Sooners a much needed steady point guard. Both players would have been here if Capel had stayed.
Without question, Kruger is a veteran coach who preaches hard work, fundamentals and can flat out coach. But this team would have improved under Capel since it has more experience and more weapons.
Still, Kruger is nearing 500 wins for a reason. He's a better coach. How well the Sooners would have played under Capel, or his style, is unknown.

:OUbball-logo:

 

[DenverSooner]

I sent my question on M'baye. He said he liked him and would have a big impact. Said OU could be top 25 next season.

He dodged the part about starting.

Basketball fans should be excited for next season. I really think OU is going to have a good team. I hope Arent can get a lot of playing time so OU knows they can count on him for a few good minutes a game next season.

 

[BigTime]

Bump for those that missed the chat.

 

[WTSooner]

I agree with him on OU making the tournament. We beat Cincy, and so long as we avoid major injuries, we have a great shot. Gonna need to find a way to get 1-2 "big" wins (say, against top 3 Big 12 teams), but I see that as possible.

 

[BigTime]

I agree with him on OU making the tournament. We beat Cincy, and so long as we avoid major injuries, we have a great shot. Gonna need to find a way to get 1-2 "big" wins (say, against top 3 Big 12 teams), but I see that as possible.

Going to need some crowds at the LNC in order to get those big wins. Hope people show up.

 

[Delta Sooner]

Going to need some crowds at the LNC in order to get those big wins. Hope people show up.


The biggest thing is getting 500 students to be at each conference home game. I know that's a low number, but we've averaging no more than 50 so far.

 

[Sam]

I've always thought its weird that people ask beat writers recruiting questions, normally that isn't their territory.