Our future "style" in question

[campbest]

OU is a better team than WV, believe the regular season proved that.

However, on the second game of a back-to-back, with no depth, OUs starters playing HEAVY minutes and WV throwing 10 bodies at you, it's easy to see why OU struggled. I know it's not cool to pick at flaws in or players games but for as good as our backcourt is, they are not great ball handlers to begin with. Add in fatigue and there is your recipe. OU is a better team, but not so much better than WV to overcome this scenario all the time...and they almost did.

There is a reason James played so much Friday and it wasn't because Lon woke up that morning and had an epiphany. He knew they needed some extra minutes. James played well so he earned more, like I said after Thursday's game, if OU was headed to the NIT instead of a top 8 seed, you would be seeing a lot more Christian James.

If I was a betting man would have to imagine the odds of WV losing the first game of the weekend (round of 64, S16) is a lot more likely than the second game (R32, E8). Their style of play on a quick turnaround is very difficult to prepare for. Especially during this time of year when everyone is playing with a shorter bench.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Is the toughness being talked about physical or mental? Does being physically stronger make it harder for teams like WVU to push you around until the officials call walking or is it a mental toughness issue - or both?

I think one thing this team had a problem adjusting to this year was being the hunted instead of the hunter. Hopefully, returning players are learning from the experience and will be better prepared mentally.

As far as other teams following the WVU game plan, I think they will probably try some of it but most teams can't change their defensive philosophy overnight and they don't have the depth required.

 

[mardaddy51]

One bright spot from last night was the play of James. He was not intimated by the WV pressure and was aggressive with the ball. If James' attitude is contagious next year, I would say OU's future is just fine.

Agree, 100%! I think OU needs to start the first two games off by featuring James. Build his confidence up and take some pressure off Heild, Woodard, and Cousins.

 

[stormspencer]

OU is a better team than WV, believe the regular season proved that.

However, on the second game of a back-to-back, with no depth, OUs starters playing HEAVY minutes and WV throwing 10 bodies at you, it's easy to see why OU struggled. I know it's not cool to pick at flaws in or players games but for as good as our backcourt is, they are not great ball handlers to begin with. Add in fatigue and there is your recipe. OU is a better team, but not so much better than WV to overcome this scenario all the time...and they almost did.

There is a reason James played so much Friday and it wasn't because Lon woke up that morning and had an epiphany. He knew they needed some extra minutes. James played well so he earned more, like I said after Thursday's game, if OU was headed to the NIT instead of a top 8 seed, you would be seeing a lot more Christian James.

If I was a betting man would have to imagine the odds of WV losing the first game of the weekend (round of 64, S16) is a lot more likely than the second game (R32, E8). Their style of play on a quick turnaround is very difficult to prepare for. Especially during this time of year when everyone is playing with a shorter bench.

Great Post/Close Thread.:OU-logo:

 

[coolm]

agreed. that is a good post. I am still not satisfied with our "toughness" though and I dont see it as constructive to always blame it on refs.

as for not being stellar ballhandlers - agreed. I think this is the teams' biggest weakness ... not our bigs. in the open floor this team is excellent. under pressure they fold.

 

[Big Old Booger]

OU is a better team than WV, believe the regular season proved that.

However, on the second game of a back-to-back, with no depth, OUs starters playing HEAVY minutes and WV throwing 10 bodies at you, it's easy to see why OU struggled. I know it's not cool to pick at flaws in or players games but for as good as our backcourt is, they are not great ball handlers to begin with. Add in fatigue and there is your recipe. OU is a better team, but not so much better than WV to overcome this scenario all the time...and they almost did.

There is a reason James played so much Friday and it wasn't because Lon woke up that morning and had an epiphany. He knew they needed some extra minutes. James played well so he earned more, like I said after Thursday's game, if OU was headed to the NIT instead of a top 8 seed, you would be seeing a lot more Christian James.

If I was a betting man would have to imagine the odds of WV losing the first game of the weekend (round of 64, S16) is a lot more likely than the second game (R32, E8). Their style of play on a quick turnaround is very difficult to prepare for. Especially during this time of year when everyone is playing with a shorter bench.

Great post. :lon

 

[sperry]

I am not one to complain about the refs. In fact, I am one who thinks it's absurd that our fans complain about the refs every single game, because the refs generally do a pretty decent job.

That being said, Friday's outing was not one of those times. The officiating in that game was absurd. West Virginia was allowed to repeatedly mug OU's players. It's not about playing tough, or anything like that. It's that you can't play basketball when the other team is playing another sport.

OU's players are plenty tough, and strong offensive teams will continue to have success in college basketball. If there was one flaw this team had, it's as others have pointed out the lack of quality depth. We have a bunch of freshmen who aren't ready yet on the bench, and our senior who has been steady but unspectacular completely imploded in the WVU game. That's a recipe for disaster. Kruger is building depth if he can convince these kids to stick around even though some of them may not be starters at any point in their careers.