OU vs #1 BU 8pm CST ESPN2

[thebigabd]

He has a problem getting open against defenders with quicker feet. It happens, but he exacerbates the issue by forcing shots which he should know better. While at Wichita State he might have shot well from the outside, but chances are he was getting good looks of the basket and making the best of it. He's in a different offense and it really doesn't suit his game. He and Manek both thrive on being open upon receiving the ball and squaring up with feet set and letting it go.

What you just said is exactly why he left Wichita State. This is well documented.

Marshall wanted him to play a specific role. Be a spot-up shooter, and likely the 3rd or 4th option. Austin thought that role was beneath him and came to OU so he could have the green light to showcase his total game. That's not hyperbole, that is what he said.

So after watching him for a season, most OU fans are like "he is pretty good if he plays within himself, is a spot up shooter, doesn't try all the crazy stuff, etc"... Well, that is exactly what he was at Wichita State and why he didn't like it there.

 

[steverocks35]

What you just said is exactly why he left Wichita State. This is well documented.

Marshall wanted him to play a specific role. Be a spot-up shooter, and likely the 3rd or 4th option. Austin thought that role was beneath him and came to OU so he could have the green light to showcase his total game. That's not hyperbole, that is what he said.

So after watching him for a season, most OU fans are like "he is pretty good if he plays within himself, is a spot up shooter, doesn't try all the crazy stuff, etc"... Well, that is exactly what he was at Wichita State and why he didn't like it there.

Sounds like a guy you definitely want on your team! A total team guy!

 

[daqman]

What you just said is exactly why he left Wichita State. This is well documented.

Marshall wanted him to play a specific role. Be a spot-up shooter, and likely the 3rd or 4th option. Austin thought that role was beneath him and came to OU so he could have the green light to showcase his total game. That's not hyperbole, that is what he said.

So after watching him for a season, most OU fans are like "he is pretty good if he plays within himself, is a spot up shooter, doesn't try all the crazy stuff, etc"... Well, that is exactly what he was at Wichita State and why he didn't like it there.

He can't even make spot up 3's anymore.

 

[Hollisp]

Can’t wait to see the lineup Saturday and the reaction to it.

With that being said, Austin has been bad but he’s ours. So, I don’t think anything major changes this year mainly bc of time.

But, his play next year is such a wildcard bc we don’t know if he will accept a different role, play better in his current role, or hell maybe even leave. But, I do know I want him to get better and I hope we can all root for that.

 

[thebigabd]

He can't even make spot up 3's anymore.

Yes he can, he just never takes them.

 

[daqman]

Yes he can, he just never takes them.

I know he took at least one last night and bricked it.

 

[thebigabd]

I know he took at least one last night and bricked it.

Right but you can't gauge his ability on one shot. Manek airballed a 3 last night. I still wouldn't question his ability to hit a 3.

 

[Sooner Season]

I kind of felt validated when Reaves was out at the end of the game as if Kruger actually saw what I think I've been seeing for a while, Reaves is killing us. But no, I hear in post game he was battling cramping.

Ok, I don't know bad basketball when I see if after all. Sigh.............

 

[daqman]

I kind of felt validated when Reaves was out at the end of the game as if Kruger actually saw what I think I've been seeing for a while, Reaves is killing us. But no, I hear in post game he was battling cramping.

Ok, I don't know bad basketball when I see if after all. Sigh.............

Great. So 26 games and Lon still hasn't reigned him in.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I kind of felt validated when Reaves was out at the end of the game as if Kruger actually saw what I think I've been seeing for a while, Reaves is killing us. But no, I hear in post game he was battling cramping.

Ok, I don't know bad basketball when I see if after all. Sigh.............

not suprising that baylor pulled away with him out of the game

he doesn't tons of the things that help teams win

 

[steverocks35]

not suprising that baylor pulled away with him out of the game

he doesn't tons of the things that help teams win

He played the last 4 1/2 minutes of the game, why didn't we come back from the 6 or so point deficit with him on the floor?

Edited to add: We were down 58-51 with 4:30 left in the game. Reaves played from that point on and we ended up losing by 9.

 

[WichitaSooner]

What you just said is exactly why he left Wichita State. This is well documented.

Marshall wanted him to play a specific role. Be a spot-up shooter, and likely the 3rd or 4th option. Austin thought that role was beneath him and came to OU so he could have the green light to showcase his total game. That's not hyperbole, that is what he said.

So after watching him for a season, most OU fans are like "he is pretty good if he plays within himself, is a spot up shooter, doesn't try all the crazy stuff, etc"... Well, that is exactly what he was at Wichita State and why he didn't like it there.

That was his role his first two seasons at WSU because of who was playing in front of him, including Landry Shamet. All those guys graduated or turned pro after Reaves's sophomore year. Had he returned to WSU, he would have been either the first or second option on the team his junior year, without question. Marshall still wouldn't have given him as much freedom as Lon gives players, but there is no chance Reaves would have been the third or fourth option or that he only would have been a spot-up shooter. I think his decision came down to whether he wanted to play for a coach with an incredibly quick hook who is inclined to bench even his best players every time they make a mistake, or whether he wanted to play for a coach who would show confidence in him and let him play through mistakes.

 

[Soonerinkc]

That was his role his first two seasons at WSU because of who was playing in front of him, including Landry Shamet. All those guys graduated or turned pro after Reaves's sophomore year. Had he returned to WSU, he would have been either the first or second option on the team his junior year, without question. Marshall still wouldn't have given him as much freedom as Lon gives players, but there is no chance Reaves would have been the third or fourth option or that he only would have been a spot-up shooter. I think his decision came down to whether he wanted to play for a coach with an incredibly quick hook who is inclined to bench even his best players every time they make a mistake, or whether he wanted to play for a coach who would show confidence in him and let him play through mistakes.

Just throwing this out there... it maybe Kruger needs to do a little more of that. Maybe Kruger can’t cause we got no one to replace him... Kruger’s recruiting.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Can’t wait to see the lineup Saturday and the reaction to it.

With that being said, Austin has been bad but he’s ours. So, I don’t think anything major changes this year mainly bc of time.

But, his play next year is such a wildcard bc we don’t know if he will accept a different role, play better in his current role, or hell maybe even leave. But, I do know I want him to get better and I hope we can all root for that.

He needs to stay in the lineup imo. Dont kill his confidence but tell him you take stupid shots, you sit

 

[CoachTalk]

He played the last 4 1/2 minutes of the game, why didn't we come back from the 6 or so point deficit with him on the floor?

Edited to add: We were down 58-51 with 4:30 left in the game. Reaves played from that point on and we ended up losing by 9.

You sure?

Reaves sat the last 5 mins or so of the game If I remember correctly.

 

[steverocks35]

You sure?

Reaves sat the last 5 mins or so of the game If I remember correctly.

I’ll rewatch it when I get home but I’m almost positive

 

[coolm]

every single time Reaves got the ball on the arc outside the elbow he drove to the basket. same drive, same result ... except for the one time he dropped a dime and someone scored. don't remember who it was. he thinks he's a 3 and he's not. he WAS a decent spot-up shooter and now he cannot even do that. he barely even requires defending and his guy started laying off and helping others instead. here's my starting lineup:
JB, Harmon, Hill, Doolittle, Manek with Alondes as 6th man.

 

[Darwin]

I’ll rewatch it when I get home but I’m almost positive

Facts are stubborn things, he played less than 30 seconds in the last 13 minutes and not in the last 4. I wondered if he was ill. Yes you are equally positive about a lot of things.

 

[steverocks35]

Facts are stubborn things, he played less than 30 seconds in the last 13 minutes and not in the last 4. I wondered if he was ill. Yes you are equally positive about a lot of things.

Am I? I said I would go check it out and that I was *almost* positive. I remember him being in the game after the final TV timeout, did he get pulled immediately? If so, I don't remember that but I'm happy to say I'm wrong if I am. I do know he played 25 minutes.

 

[steverocks35]

every single time Reaves got the ball on the arc outside the elbow he drove to the basket. same drive, same result ... except for the one time he dropped a dime and someone scored. don't remember who it was. he thinks he's a 3 and he's not. he WAS a decent spot-up shooter and now he cannot even do that. he barely even requires defending and his guy started laying off and helping others instead. here's my starting lineup:
JB, Harmon, Hill, Doolittle, Manek with Alondes as 6th man.

I can't disagree with this. Reaves needs to find his role with this team, or Coach Kruger needs to find it for him.