Polla arrival
- Thread starter usedtobe1
- Start date
Polla had a very solid game. He really blocked out and rebounded well. He was only 2-4 from the field but both field goals were off offensive rebounds and he was fouled both times and made the free throws. He was 6-6 from the charity stripe for the game. He passes well out of the post although he did commit 2 turnovers off passes. One was too high and he telegraphed the other one. He was easily the dominant big man in this game for either team. He posted up deep several times where he had the defender sealed off and they just couldn't get him the ball.
I don't know how many games they are going to play in European U20 tournament but Finland beat the tar out of Hungary today. This was their 6th game in the past 10 days. They were so far ahead I bet Polla didn't play 3 minutes in the second half and probably only 10-12 minutes total. He only took 1 shot and was 1-2 from the foul line for his only point. Hungary was very physical with him in the low post and he drew several non-shooting fouls. Anytime he got the ball he was double teamed and did a nice job passing to open players on the perimeter. He never seems to panic. He can dish it out, too, drawing 2 fouls in the physical play in the blocks.... one for throwing an elbow. He sure doesn't back down.
Finland played their 7th game in the tournament beating the Netherlands by 20. They need Polla in the post. Today in the first couple of minutes he had 2 fouls, a blocked shot, and swished an 8-10 foot hook shot. They took him out and fell behind 16-5, and put him back in and immediately scored 27 straight points. Polla had 9 of their first 18 points and never scored again. He also swished about a 15 foot shot from the elbow. They were so far ahead he didn't really play more than 6-7 minutes in the 2nd half.
I noticed for the 7 games in the tournament he averages 19.6 minutes, 10.6 points, and 6 rebounds. His free throw percentage is 78.8%.
I noticed for the 7 games in the tournament he averages 19.6 minutes, 10.6 points, and 6 rebounds. His free throw percentage is 78.8%.
thebigabd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2008
- Messages
- 13,496
- Reaction score
- 77
Is this guy going to redshirt? Has that been announced somewhere?
Seems like he should with Lattin, McNease, Freeman, and Doolittle in the front-court.
Hopefully they redshirt him and let him practice and develop for a year and not waste the eligibility.
Seems like he should with Lattin, McNease, Freeman, and Doolittle in the front-court.
Hopefully they redshirt him and let him practice and develop for a year and not waste the eligibility.
pnkranger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2008
- Messages
- 3,687
- Reaction score
- 133
No. Please no.
He's going to be a very good post defender from day one (which we don't have), and a big body to go against those big time centers (which we don't have). His agility and strength are both ready for the college level, so no need to redshirt him. He's a really good free throw shooter for a 7 footer, which tells me his skill set is fine.
Matt Freeman is a better redshirt candidate in my mind.
CMSOONER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2010
- Messages
- 2,599
- Reaction score
- 951
Freeman redshirt the second semester when we went to the Final Four.
tmeyer3307
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2015
- Messages
- 821
- Reaction score
- 102
Either Manek or Polla needs to redshirt this season. Not enough minutes for 3 centers, then Doolittle, Freeman and even Odomes at times at the 4.
The problem with redshirting anyone these days is them leaving after their redshirt junior year if they have graduated. Then, they get to play their senior year for another program after the school/coaches spent 4 years developing this person. It's not that I'm against this (those who graduate should be rewarded), but would simply hate to see Polla at his best 4+ years from now possibly playing for a different university.
AdaSooner
Admin Emeritus
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2008
- Messages
- 16,086
- Reaction score
- 49
Yep. Freeman is not a candidate after using his redshirt with a late arrival during our final four season.
I think we should let competition for playing time determine who, if anyone, redshirts next season. Polla is a unique talent due to his size and skill set. If he can help us, I say forget the redshirt. If Manek is as good as I believe he'll be, I can't see him sitting out the season.
What does all of that mean? The battle for playing time in practice, during the New Zealand tour and the two exhibition games could be as intense as we have seen in sometime.
I think letting the players decide who redshirts is the best way to go. Limited minutes or not, I wouldn't be surprised if no one sits this season. Either way, this will be a very deep team.
pnkranger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2008
- Messages
- 3,687
- Reaction score
- 133
I'll bet 0 redshirts this year. How many redshirts has Lon used since he's been here? 1?
The other issue with redshirting is if you have a guy who can't seem to improve enough to contribute ... you have him taking a scholarship for another year. It's a low value proposition unless you have someone with an injury that's not going to make it on the floor or a project (like Jamuni) that has tremendous upside.
The other issue with redshirting is if you have a guy who can't seem to improve enough to contribute ... you have him taking a scholarship for another year. It's a low value proposition unless you have someone with an injury that's not going to make it on the floor or a project (like Jamuni) that has tremendous upside.
ksSooner13
New member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2010
- Messages
- 839
- Reaction score
- 0
LK has used 3 redshirts since he got here (Muni, DJ Bennett, and Freeman)
Polla isn't coming over here to redshirt IMHO. We need a center who can muscle around in the low post. I bet he plays a lot this year.
It will be interesting to see who is in the rotation when Kruger narrows it to 8-9 players in conference play. They will all get minutes in the non-conference games. It wouldn't surprise me to see a couple of transfers at the end of the season as some players get "recruited over".
It will be interesting to see who is in the rotation when Kruger narrows it to 8-9 players in conference play. They will all get minutes in the non-conference games. It wouldn't surprise me to see a couple of transfers at the end of the season as some players get "recruited over".
AdaSooner
Admin Emeritus
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2008
- Messages
- 16,086
- Reaction score
- 49
You forgot about Spangler after he transferred from Gonzaga. OU also used a redshirt on Dante Buford when he didn't qualify academically. That said, I think pnkranger is talking about players Lon decided to redshirt to give them more time to develop. Muni, for example.
In retrospect, that might have been a mistake with some players. Odomes comes immediately to mind. Still, the question is, did he benefit more by being cast into the fire as a freshman, or would he have developed just as fast by sitting out the season with a redshirt?
thebigabd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2008
- Messages
- 13,496
- Reaction score
- 77
Longar Longar is a great example of a player who got screwed on the redshirt... and it hurt the program a few years later. He barely played as a freshman, but didn't redshirt. Turned into a very solid player as a junior and senior, played with Blake Griffin as a senior and was the 2nd leading scorer, 2nd leading rebounder, leader in blocks, etc.
If he had redshirted he would have been able to play one more year with Blake on the 30 win team, and who knows what would have happened with Longar playing next to Blake that year. OU would have been better, I can tell you that.
If he had redshirted he would have been able to play one more year with Blake on the 30 win team, and who knows what would have happened with Longar playing next to Blake that year. OU would have been better, I can tell you that.
That's pretty much spot on.
