Point Guard or Center - which is more important next year

[jaymOU]

Do you think OU needs a center or a point guard more for next season.

I believe point guard is more important. Blair just is not quick enough to get it done against pressure defense. Any team who had guards who could pressure the ball destroyed OU this year. I don't think Blair can get quicker and Newell, who is quick enough, cannot handle the ball. I like Blair as a player, but he is limited physically - as demonstrated this weekend. Against Baylor, who can not pressure the ball he has a double-double and looked fantastic. Against Texas, when he was pressured by Balby, he looked very, very average.

The Sooners also got killed on the boards this year, but much of that was because Capel played Cade at the 4 and we all know Fitz is not really as athletic or agressive as he needs to be to become a ten-plus rebounder.

I think with Neal, Clark and Osby OU can rebound better next season.

If Blair starts at the point next year, I just don't think OU can compete in the upper half of the Big 12. So, I say PG is the most important recruit this off-season and I would love to see OU recruit two of them

 

[152219]

Center. Someone to rebound and affect shots in the pain.

 

[Dr Sleep]

As far as breaking the pressure, I am sick of Capel blaming the players. We haven't been able to break pressure since Capel has been coach and it cost us bigtime Blake's last year.

As for the question, most teams would like a better center, there isn't as many as needed, so I say center cause decent PGs shouldn't be that hard to find.

 

[jerry]

Actually someone to coach them is more relevant and needed right now.

 

[WTSooner]

I think both positions are equally "lacking", but I'm going to choose pg, and here is why.

First, if we land a center that starts, it means either Fitz or Osby don't start. Even IF Osby could start at the 3 and play effectively, I simply don't think OU can afford to start Cam at the 2 alongside Osby. So essentially, if we sign a center, he either comes off the bench, or we bench a potential starter. Second, guards will basketball games. I think Blair could be adequate with the right coaching. Quannas White wasn't "quick", but he was taught how to play defense. If Blair is a worse athlete than White, it isn't by much.

 

[jaymOU]

The White - Blair comparision is interesting and one I have considered. I think White and Blair are similar athletically, but White was a better shooter and a much better ball handler. White had significantly more talent around him than Blair and so he wasn't required to create shots for teammates as much as OU needs Blair to do.

Plus OU had a better offensive plan with White's teams.

Still, all things being said, we need a better point guard - Texas is the prime example.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

center. easily

 

[coolm]

I've noticed that you spelled "coach" with 2 e's, an "N", a "T", and an "R".

Is this a euro spelling?

 

[AdaSooner]

If Goff is available next season, point guard would be my first choice. But, if he doesn't make it in, our greatest need will be at the center position, for the following reasons.

Osby will help with defense and rebounding. But he's undersized for a post player at 6' 7", which means if Goff doesn't make it in, we'll be in the same boat as we were this year in trying to defend and rebound against bigger teams.

Are we really going to depend on Fitzgerald, who could only manage to match a 6' 4" guard in averaging 5.0 rebounds per game this season? Cade won't be here next year, so the burden of defending power forwards and replacing the best rebounding average on the team he shared with Fitz will fall on Neal (2.3 rpg), C.J. (3.1 rpg) and the third best rebounder on the team this season in Cam Clark, with a 4.5 rpg average. Nothing I've seen from any member of that group gives me confidence that our defense and rebounding will be any better next season, unless we get more help with signing a quality post player.

If bringing in a center who is capable of starting means that Osby and Clark are competing to start at the three, so be it. For that matter, I think Clark could play the two position, if need be, which would create even more competition between Cam and Pledger. I'm a lot more worried about defending and rebounding against bigger post players who have abused this undersized team the entire season, than seeing a projected starter have to come off the bench for a change. Competition for a starting spot is a good thing.

 

[StoopsBros]

Center

 

[MercedeSooner]

college basketball is a guard's game. sure teams who have average guard play can still win with talented players at other positions but having good guard play can make up for a lot of deficiencies.

 

[GymClassHero]

Center

I know people don't think highly of Blair around here, but if he improves on his defense and ball handling, he'll be a solid starter next year.

 

[bgrch1350]

college basketball is a guard's game. sure teams who have average guard play can still win with talented players at other positions but having good guard play can make up for a lot of deficiencies.

PG play didn't cost us against Tex...not having any size down low did. We do not want Clark playing the 4 next year...we need him at the 3 and even the 2.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

Post Players...

I dont think we are going to get a typical Center, but we need depth in the frontcourt...

 

[MercedeSooner]

PG play didn't cost us against Tex...not having any size down low did. We do not want Clark playing the 4 next year...we need him at the 3 and even the 2.

sure we can't have Clark playing the 4 but I'm also not magically thinking that Jurick, Osby, and Goff are suddenly going to carry us in the post. Teams that can't compete talent wise (sadly that is us right now) can equalize the game with really good guard play.

Not sure if you saw Balbay destroy our guards btw. How sad is that ?

 

[campbest]

Post players, I'm not sure how anyone can say otherwise at this juncture.

 

[Darwin]

college basketball is a guard's game. sure teams who have average guard play can still win with talented players at other positions but having good guard play can make up for a lot of deficiencies.

Not just a guard's game but a point guard's game. He doesn't have to be the best player on the team but his abilities can lower the teams ceiling. I've seen teams play deep in the dance with undersized journeymen playing inside.

 

[bgrch1350]

sure we can't have Clark playing the 4 but I'm also not magically thinking that Jurick, Osby, and Goff are suddenly going to carry us in the post. Teams that can't compete talent wise (sadly that is us right now) can equalize the game with really good guard play.

Not sure if you saw Balbay destroy our guards btw. How sad is that ?

I hope your not taking anything away from Balbay and just how solid of a PG he really is.

 

[colston15]

Both. One without the other doesn't make us much better.

If I had to choose I would pick a PG. Osby anf Goff will add much needed depth inside.

 

[MercedeSooner]

I hope your not taking anything away from Balbay and just how solid of a PG he really is.

no comment.