Our play in non-conference action -- last season vs. this season

[skyvue]

Think about the difference between this season and last year at the same point in the season. Last year, we had posters (well, one in particular) *****ing relentlessly about Kruger giving the freshman so many minutes and we came close to dropping a number of games against lesser teams (UT-Arlington, SFA, ORU, NW State-LA).

Even as a sunshine pumper, I sometimes had trouble feeling confident about our season prospects as I watched some of those games.

Then we had a solid conference season, and I think those early-season struggles were largely forgotten.

But we lost five seniors from that team -- given that, where would we be now if Kruger hadn't gotten our freshmen so much playing time last season?

Now, we have posters *****ing and moaning during a 15-point win on the road over George Mason.

In short, this team looks infinitely better at this point in the 2014 season than it did at this point during the 2013 season. And we owe that to coach Kruger having the confidence in his young players and getting them the experience they needed.

 

[MNsooner]

8 games in we lost to Arkansas last year. Plus, the Gonzaga destroyed us last year. We played close with a much better MSU team. If you don't think we look like a better team this year you aren't paying attention. The only thing that scares me is a serious frontcourt injury. We're one injury away from CJ Cole and Neal having to be key contributors.

 

[StatGeek]

Think about the difference between this season and last year at the same point in the season. Last year, we had posters (well, one in particular) *****ing relentlessly about Kruger giving the freshman so many minutes and we came close to dropping a number of games against lesser teams (UT-Arlington, SFA, ORU, NW State-LA).

Even as a sunshine pumper, I sometimes had trouble feeling confident about our season prospects as I watched some of those games.

Then we had a solid conference season, and I think those early-season struggles were largely forgotten.

But we lost five seniors from that team -- given that, where would we be now if Kruger hadn't gotten our freshmen so much playing time last season?

Now, we have posters *****ing and moaning during a 15-point win on the road over George Mason.

In short, this team looks infinitely better at this point in the 2014 season than it did at this point during the 2013 season. And we owe that to coach Kruger having the confidence in his young players and getting them the experience they needed.

Well said, couldn't agree more.

 

[RoninDenton]

This team really has great chemistry and i feel they have a chance to win every game, of course they won't do that but it is a nice feeling. Kruger in my mind is one of the best coaches in college basketball and i believepart of it is his choice of players he recruits. I lived in Chicago when he was the coach at illinois and saw what a great coach he was. he left Bill Self a roster full of great players that won the national championship. I believe he helped Self become the coach that he is today.

 

[MI Sooner]

Illinois did not win the national championship.

I'm not sure this year's Michigan State team is better than last year's Gonzaga team.

 

[AltSooner33]

I have been one that has been kind of bothered a couple times this year when I didn't think we looked as good as we should, even though we have won those games pretty comfortably still. But yesterday it really hit me just how far we have come now. A game like yesterday we are basically on the road against a pretty good team all the way in D.C, and before the game even started I just had a calmness, like I already was pretty sure we would win the game. My only worry was mainly how would we look in the win? Would we look good doing it or are we going to play a little sloppy? And really I've basically had that same feeling all year, except for the Michigan st game of course. That just really sunk in how crazy that is from where we have just been. A few seasons ago and even at the beginning of last season there was no way you could just have that certainty in you that we would win some of these games, and you know we wouldn't have won some of these.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Kruger seems to have an eye for players who can win. Most of his recruits are similar. Quick, rangy lots of spring in their legs and some shooting ability.

That is why he can often play with the big boys with mostly 3* and a few 4* players.

As I recall the Illini finished second after Self left for Kansas. Don't know how many if any of the players were recruited by Kruger.

 

[DenverSooner]

Last year:

LA Monroe 51 - 85 OU
OU 63-59 UT Arlington
UTEP 61 - 68 OU
OU 47-72 Gonzaga
WVU 70-77 OU
OU 63 - 62 ORU
N'western St 65 -69 OU
OU 78 - 81 Arkansas

Last year OU was in 5 tight games they won and had two losses at this point in the season. This year:

Alabama 73 - 82 OU
North Texas 82 - 95 OU
Idaho 65 - 85 OU
OU 86 - 85 Seton Hall
OU 76 - 87 Mich State
ARLR 81 - 101 OU
Mercer 82 - 96 OU
TAMU CC 56 - 78 OU
OU 81 - 66 George Mason

Two close games against Alabama and Seton Hall and one loss against Mich State. That is a huge difference.

 

[NickZepp]

Even the Alabama game was not really all that close. We pretty much dominated the 2nd half. And after being down 15 at one point early on we dominated even worse than the score showed.

 

[jaymOU]

I was at the ORU game last year and OU looked horrible against a really below average ORU team. OU was, frankly, lucky to win that game.

That said, OU is easily a better team this year - if nothing else just on the improvement of the freshman guards. But you add the confidence and aggressiveness Clark has added to his game along with Woodard and Spangler and OU has made a really big jump.

I, for one, could not be more excited about how the future looks with Kruger at the helm. The next big hurdle I see on the horizon is how long does Kruger coach?

 

[CoachTalk]

I was at the ORU game last year and OU looked horrible against a really below average ORU team. OU was, frankly, lucky to win that game.

That said, OU is easily a better team this year - if nothing else just on the improvement of the freshman guards. But you add the confidence and aggressiveness Clark has added to his game along with Woodard and Spangler and OU has made a really big jump.

I, for one, could not be more excited about how the future looks with Kruger at the helm. The next big hurdle I see on the horizon is how long does Kruger coach?

Kruger's never leaving...! Good question. Hopefully 4-5 years.

 

[garyeb2]

Kruger's never leaving...! Good question. Hopefully 4-5 years.

I can't claim specific first hand knowledge. But...., some people believe that he is intending to stay well beyond his current contract if health permits.

 

[pnkranger]

I can't claim specific first hand knowledge. But...., some people believe that he is intending to stay well beyond his current contract if health permits.

Until someone is willing to pay him 4.4 million to move?

No, I think this is his final stop. I don't believe he would have come here if he didn't believe he could get back to the Final Four at Oklahoma...and I think he'll stay at least until he does that.

 

[DenverSooner]

Is he going to try to turn the program over to Henson? Henson has been with Kruger a long time. He played for Kruger at KSU. He coached with Kruger at Illinois, Atlanta, UNLV and OU. It seems like when Lon leaves he might try to set Henson up with the job.

 

[garyeb2]

Is he going to try to turn the program over to Henson? Henson has been with Kruger a long time. He played for Kruger at KSU. He coached with Kruger at Illinois, Atlanta, UNLV and OU. It seems like when Lon leaves he might try to set Henson up with the job.

I'm more in the camp that would predict Henson to be the 1st staff member to leave.

 

[DenverSooner]

I'm more in the camp that would predict Henson to be the 1st staff member to leave.

Why?

I have no insight on this issue it just seems like Hanson has been pretty loyal to Kruger and that Kruger has been loyal to Hanson. Kruger has given him a job everywhere he has gone. Kruger obviously thinks highly of the guy.

 

[garyeb2]

Why?

I have no insight on this issue it just seems like Hanson has been pretty loyal to Kruger and that Kruger has been loyal to Hanson. Kruger has given him a job everywhere he has gone. Kruger obviously thinks highly of the guy.

Henson has head coaching ambitions. He will probably need to scratch that itch long before Kruger steps down from OU.

 

[Max Power]

Henson has head coaching ambitions. He will probably need to scratch that itch long before Kruger steps down from OU.

if he does, i hope we can convince him to come back when Kruger does step down

 

[NickZepp]

Who ever takes over for Kruger will be left with a solid roster so any down transitional period won't last long.

Sent from my galaxy s2

 

[BCSooners]

Yes and by that time this job should look pretty enticing to a lot of coaches, not as it was before Kruger.