OU's MVP

[DenverSooner]

If an outsider were to pick the MVP of this team, they would pick Osby with perhaps Pledger as the second most important player. Those people would probably be correct, however, I think three other guys deserve a lot of credit.

Sam Grooms, Cam Clark and Andrew Fitzgerald are all MVPs in my opinion because when they lost their starting spots they didn't pout, quit or become a distraction. Instead the worked hard and are a key reason why OU is a good team this year. Not just anyone can do that. The natural reaction is to be upset but these three guys seem to have been positive all season. Additionally each of them has been key in at least one win this season. To me that shows all three of them are really solid character guys.

 

[ouwxman]

Quality depth is one of the biggest differences between this year's team and last year's team. Grooms, Clark and Fitzgerald bring in some different strengths off the bench and have played really well toward the end of the season. Props to the 3 of them as you said for accepting their roles on the bench and contributing a lot to this team.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Also huge credit to coach for getting them to " buy in"

 

[IllTemperedSeaBass]

If Roe doesn't make 1st team all big12 then it will be a travesty. Especially if they put that big stiff from KU on it.

 

[SoonerMatt27]

If Roe doesn't make 1st team all big12 then it will be a travesty. Especially if they put that big stiff from KU on it.

Withey? Are you serious? A stiff?

 

[BigTime]

Withey? Are you serious? A stiff?

You could make a case for Roe over Withey imo

 

[SoonerMatt27]

Sure you can.. Roe's our number 1 option on a very balanced team. Withey is probably their 3rd or 4th option on offense. But he's an enforcer on defense, reminds me of Davis and Thabeet(in college). He's not another Cole Aldrich. Calling him a stiff is far from accurate.

 

[MercedeSooner]

Osby isn't only by far our best player but he is the leader on our team and someone the other guys follow. Having guys buy in always begins with strong leadership on the team along with having a coach with a plan.

 

[geeoh]

Osby isn't only by far our best player but he is the leader on our team and someone the other guys follow. Having guys buy in always begins with strong leadership on the team along with having a coach with a plan.

I'm with you on this. I don't think there's any way OU bounces back from the UT meltdown the way they did without Roe's leadership and locker room presence.

 

[NickZepp]

Before the last couple weeks I would say it was neck and neck between Osby and Hield. It's by far Osby though.

 

[okienole3]

Osby isn't only by far our best player but he is the leader on our team and someone the other guys follow. Having guys buy in always begins with strong leadership on the team along with having a coach with a plan.

This 100x this. It's harder to tell on TV, but if you are at the games, you can see he is the leader, motivator, and calming influence all wrapped into one.

 

[IllTemperedSeaBass]

Calling him a stiff was maybe a little harsh. He is limited as far as offensive ability. He gets his points on put backs and getting good position down low for the 4 foot bank shot. And he is lucky in that there is no one in the league within 4 inches height wise. He's better than average, but not 1st team big12.

 

[campbest]

lol, Withey is averaging 14/9 in conference play, shooting over 60% from the field to go along with three blocks. He could be a 18-20pt scorer but that's not KU's game. If you were going to start a team made out of Big XII players he would probably be the second or third player chosen because he impacts both sides of the floor.

Withey
McGruder
Jackson
McLemore
Osby
Smart
Brown

All deserve 1st team, but I think Jackson and either Smart or Brown gets left off.

 

[DenverSooner]

lol, Withey is averaging 14/9 in conference play, shooting over 60% from the field to go along with three blocks. He could be a 18-20pt scorer but that's not KU's game. If you were going to start a team made out of Big XII players he would probably be the second or third player chosen because he impacts both sides of the floor.

Withey
McGruder
Jackson
McLemore
Osby
Smart
Brown

All deserve 1st team, but I think Jackson and either Smart or Brown gets left off.

If it were a draft situation he would be the first guy I would take because he is unique in the league.

 

[scrybe]

MVP? It's Ro, of course; don't see how there could be any debate on that one. And I tend to agree with our temperamental friend (at least with the point he was trying to make; not the "stiff" part). If only one of them could be first team, Romero should get the nod over Withey. Of course, that will never happen, not with way the media in this league gets a broken nose whenever anyone associated with the KU program makes a sharp turn.