OU MBB Preview 14-15

[DFWHoopster]

I do this for Big12 teams every year and you all have been great about giving me feedback. I struggled with the questions because I think there are a lot more knowns about this team than other teams in the league.

Would love to hear what you think I got wrong and just general feedback on this preview.

Thanks

http://baylor.247sports.com/Article/Oklahoma-MBB-Preview-14-15-32424545

 

[thewez]

Well Walker will get significant minutes. He will be the back up PG and play some off guard.

 

[DFWHoopster]

Well Walker will get significant minutes. He will be the back up PG and play some off guard.

thanks- so with 200 minutes, you see something like this? Assuming Thomas is a go.

35 min- Hield
30 min- Thomas
30 min- Spangler
30 min- Woodard
25 min- Cousins
15 min- Booker
15 min- Walker
10 min- Lattin
10 min- Bennett

 

[WTSooner]

thanks- so with 200 minutes, you see something like this? Assuming Thomas is a go.

35 min- Hield
30 min- Thomas
30 min- Spangler
30 min- Woodard
25 min- Cousins
15 min- Booker
15 min- Walker
10 min- Lattin
10 min- Bennett

That is probably pretty close. LK does a good job of using his bench, and not letting guys get tired. Last year Hield averaged 32 minutes, and 4 other guys were just under 30 minutes each. But give or take 2-3 minutes, that is probably a good estimate.

I could see Walker getting closer to 10, with those 5 extra minutes going to Booker and Cousins.

 

[campbest]

thanks- so with 200 minutes, you see something like this? Assuming Thomas is a go.

35 min- Hield
30 min- Thomas
30 min- Spangler
30 min- Woodard
25 min- Cousins
15 min- Booker
15 min- Walker
10 min- Lattin
10 min- Bennett

If you're averaging it out for the year that's probably pretty close. I would break it up non-con vs. conference, bench will get shorter later in the year.

 

[DFWHoopster]

saw this article today

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sooners-dealing-higher-expectations-043037397--ncaab.html

 

[Capel's Mustache]

Not sure who loses out on mins, but Cousins will play 30 a game (esp by conference season)

 

[SoonerinNC]

Starters around 30. Others 12-20. If Bennett is starter he will be 20-25 and Lattin will get a few more minutes. If Thomas is eligible he will get 30-33.

Kruger went 9 deep last year. He has more depth this year.

 

[AdaSooner]

Well done, as usual, DFW!

I didn't see much I would change. We'll all have a better feel for how good this OU team will be when the season gets underway, and when we know if Thomas will play this season. OU will be good without him. To some degree, how good may depend on the improvement of starters from last year, as well as the development of key role players like Booker, Bennett, Lattin and Walker.

As for the average minutes others have weighed in on, I doubt if anyone, except maybe Buddy, plays more than 30 minutes per game. That was the case last year, and I don't see that changing this season. Kruger likes to spread the wealth, so to speak, to keep players fresh when it's time to apply the pressure on defense, and for his up-tempo style on offense.

 

[DenverSooner]

I thought that was well done but I would not that Buford is not going to be eligible and you did not include in your comments. I would also note that you said OU will have a strong four man rotation in the backcourt but I think it should actually be five. This is especially true given you comment on Walker contributing.

Those are pretty small things and only meant to help you make your write up better rather than to be critical.

 

[DFWHoopster]

thanks ada and DenverSooner. I've edited on Walker as you suggested. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[vbdad]

Cousins will play 30. He is going to have a big year!

 

[scrybe]

Thanks for that great preview, Hoopster.

I don't post much in the off-season, though I visit the board almost daily. With the season approaching, it's time to crank it up a little, I guess.

Like most of you, I'm (past) ready for the season to start and pumped about our prospects for a great year. I just wish the NCAA would rule on the Thomas waiver. The way this thing has hung in limbo for months and months makes absolutely no sense to me. OU will have a good year without TaShawn, perhaps a great one with him. But its not fair to the young man or his teammates to keep dragging this out.

The NCAA really needs to rule on this before the season starts – but I'm really not hopeful it will happen.

Sorry, guys; I realize I'm preaching to the choir.