OU puts emphasis on rebounding [Oklahoma Daily]

[OUHoops]

http://www.oudaily.com/news/2011/nov/03/ou-mens-basketball-team-puts-emphasis-rebounding/

 

[AdaSooner]

Everyone on this team will have to be committed to rebounding to give us any chance at holding our own against bigger, better teams. A +6 advantage in the NSU game is nothing to write home about.

To repeat what was said on an earlier thread, Fitz is one of the keys to better rebounding. He only played 17 minutes against NSU, so I'll give him a pass on that one. He simply has to do a better job on the boards or OU will be at a huge disadvantage when we get to conference play. If we didn't need Drew's offensive output, he would likely see less playing time in favor of C.J. or Arent. They're both good rebounders, mainly because they're a lot quicker to the ball. I just wish they contributed more on offense.

Looks like this will be another year of rebounding by committee. But with Osby on the floor and a more experienced team focusing on hitting the boards, one has to believe that we at least have a chance of improving over last year. The question is, will someone step up to take Cade's place? He was one heck of a rebounding guard!

 

[campbest]

Fitz doing more on the glass would be a plus, but I think the x-factor is Clark. No way someone with his athleticism should be pulling down four rebounds per game.

 

[AdaSooner]

Agreed, campbest. There is no reason why a player with Cam's athleticism, hops and quickness can't do better than 4 rebs in 32 minutes against an undersized team like NSU. Rebounding is about wanting the ball more than the other guy. Everyone on this team has to adopt that philosophy if we hope to compete with the bigger, better opponents on our schedule.

 

[sheepdogs]

If Fitzgerald isn't going to increase his rebound production then he should at least be in position such that it causes over the back fouls on the opposing team which effectively is similar to grabbing rebounds.

 

[AdaSooner]

If Fitzgerald isn't going to increase his rebound production then he should at least be in position such that it causes over the back fouls on the opposing team which effectively is similar to grabbing rebounds.

You're right, of course. Problem is, Drew's footwork is one of the reasons he is not in position to snag more rebounds. It has also contributed to some of his needless fouls in the past couple of years. But I'm hoping that's an area he worked on last summer, and will be much improved this season. We'll know soon, I suppose..