Pledger makes Deadspin

[KCRuf/Nek]

In Basketball, the good thing about "turning it around" is that you can do it so much quicker because it requires so few people. If Lon can go out and get 2-3 studs to go with what we already have, we could be in pretty good shape, I think. Also, even if he doesn't, we should be better with these guys having an extra year in his system.

Look at a team like Kentucky. They practically have to "turn it around" every year(maybe two). Al McGuire used to say you had to get a good one every year. Now with kids leaving like they do maybe it's two a year.

 

[Sawyer]

I disagree about your comment on experience for two reasons. First, everyone will not be more experienced because most everyone else is losing key players. KU will likely lose three starters. Baylor will likely lose three of their top 6 players. Missouri (no longer in the conference) is going to be a shell of the team they are this year. All three of those teams will be substantially less experienced next season. Yes their returning players will be more experienced but not like a returning starter.

Second, people have to remember this is the first year for these guys with Kruger. Most of the other teams have been with their coach for several years (Missouri, A&M and Tech are exceptions). Therefore, I think a year of experience for OU (and the others mentioned) is more important than a year of experience for KU, OSU, ISU, Texas and KSU.

On your first point, I'd still say that's other teams suffering due to attrition as opposed to OU getting better because of experience. It's the additions and subtractions each team makes that make the biggest difference.

On the second point, we'll agree to disagree there. I don't know the intricacies of Kruger's system, but I can't imagine it's complex enough that it takes that long to figure out. Basketball at its core is a pretty simple game, and OU's players have been playing the sport for awhile. Whatever is gained by an additional year in the same system is relatively small IMO.

 

[DenverSooner]

I don't care what you call it most teams will not be as experienced to start next season as they are right now and OU will be more experienced.

I think Missouri is a perfect example. They are really good this year but they lose so much that they almost certainly cannot be as good next season. You wold know better than any of us but they lose 5 of their top 7 players. It is just not possible for them to have as much experience next season as OU. Even if they bring in really good players those kids will not be experienced colleged basketball players and for the most part seniors are better than freshman. An obvious exception is a kid that goes to the NBA early but those guys are rare for most programs.