Post depth

[KBaden145]

I hope you're right about Lattin being better as a freshman than Thomas was. TaShawn only averaged 10.7 ppg, 8.2 boards, and 2.1 blocks as a freshman where he was named to the all-freshman team and was twice named freshman of the week. If Lattin exceeds those numbers he will have had a heck of a year.



Thomas is a beast



Oh, by the way, Blake Griffin doesn't do bad as an undersized (short) power forward in the NBA. Not all tall guys can muscle up and add bulk to match his strength in the post.

I don't think there is anyway Lattin gets the minutes or looks to put up those kind of numbers. I honestly didn't know he had that kind of production as a FR. I'm high on Lattin, though, and stand by my statement.

I don't consider Blake a bulky guy or undersized. He's 6-10, extremely athletic, and plays what I consider a more fluid, finesse game than you seem to be talking about. The game you seem to describe makes me think more Zach Randolph than Blake. Z-Bo is undersized (6-8 or 9) and bulky by NBA standards.

Would you consider Niang one of type of bigs you're talking about?

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[Max Power]

so this has devolved into the age old length vs. girth argument, huh?

I see what you did there

 

[campbest]

Then you should be very happy. Bennett, Lattin, and McNeace should all be better options for the Sooners than TaShawn Thomas because they're all taller. I kid....

I just appreciate an active, wide-body given only a couple of inches difference. Guys like Georges Niang at Iowa State at 6'8" 230 or Texas' Cameron Ridley at 6'8" 240 eat up 200 pound defenders. It's just a personal preference. I know a lot of others would rather have the thin jumpers. I just think a 30-40 pound advantage posting up and blocking out for 30-40 minutes takes a toll on the smaller guy assuming athletic abilities are similar.

There are obviously exceptions....... some people prefer blondes over brunettes. If everything else is equal, I would give up 2 inches for 30-40 pounds/strength. You would choose the height. I can respect that.

In college, give me the space-eater over length most of the time. Now, if you can pluck an Anthony Davis, that's a different story.

The rule changes have put an emphasis on a rim protector, but coaches are beginning to adjust.

 

[BCSooners]

I don't consider Blake a bulky guy or undersized. He's 6-10, extremely athletic, and plays what I consider a more fluid, finesse game than you seem to be talking about. The game you seem to describe makes me think more Zach Randolph than Blake. Z-Bo is undersized (6-8 or 9) and bulky by NBA standards.

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Blake is nowhere near 6'10, maybe a little over 6'8 with shoes. His offensive game is not really finesse either. He can handle the ball and pass very well, so if that's what you mean then yes. However, when he's at his best in scoring the ball I'd have to say it's straight bullish. He's going to back you down or dunk on you when talking about his strengths. Now he is starting to be a better shooter and fadeaways in the post, but I don't consider him at his best when he's doing that.

 

[AdaSooner]

I understand why usedtobe1 has some concerns about our post depth. As I see it, the reasons are multiple:

_How will losing two experienced seniors impact this year's team? An unknown at this point.
_No Dante Buford, the guy who was supposed to replace Cam Clark on our roster. Now there is no Dante or Cam Clark.
_Will D. J. Bennett be improved from last year? Judging by his performance in the first exhibition game, the jury is still out on that one.
_That leaves two freshmen, Lattin and McNeace, to add depth and to make up for the loss of Clark and Neal.

Jamuni may be a redshirt candidate. Lattin looked really good in the first exhibition game, especially on the boards, so I think he'll be more than an adequate replacement for Tyler Neal. The biggest difference is that Tyler was capable of knocking down threes. The ill-advised shots Khadeem took were all misses.

That's not to suggest that this year's team is void of options that could prove to be better in the end. But, I can definitely see where usedtobe1 is coming from in voicing his concerns.

 

[WTSooner]

But he played at the 4. Buford is that same type of player, and we thought we'd be plugging him into that role this year. Alas, that ain't happening. Tyler Neal also came off the bench for Cam, and now he's gone. That's two experienced seniors playing alongside Spangler being replaced by Lattin, a freshman.

I will have very little concern about post depth if Thomas gets eligible. But as it is, if Spangler gets in foul trouble, we are looking at long stretches of Lattin and Bennett on the floor together, or Buddy playing the "4".

That's how I see it.

 

[KBaden145]

Blake is nowhere near 6'10, maybe a little over 6'8 with shoes. His offensive game is not really finesse either. He can handle the ball and pass very well, so if that's what you mean then yes. However, when he's at his best in scoring the ball I'd have to say it's straight bullish. He's going to back you down or dunk on you when talking about his strengths. Now he is starting to be a better shooter and fadeaways in the post, but I don't consider him at his best when he's doing that.

We see things very differently.


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[usedtobe1]

I'm not going to debate tonight. There are 80 post minutes a game to be shared. If Thomas can't play this year, it's a golden opportunity for Lattin and maybe McNeace .... besides Spangler and Bennett. I think Kruger will rest Ryan more this year so he doesn't wear out like he did at the end of last season. All that pushing and shoving in the post takes a toll. I bet he only averages 30-32 minutes/game leaving almost 50 minutes for the other 3. Lattin should get 15-20 minutes a game. That's all he can ask for as a true freshman.

 

[WTSooner]

30-32 minutes per game for Spangler would be an increase over last year.

And I hate to say it, but without Thomas, Spangler is going to have to play more than he did last year. As crappy as that situation is.

 

[usedtobe1]

30-32 minutes per game for Spangler would be an increase over last year.

And I hate to say it, but without Thomas, Spangler is going to have to play more than he did last year. As crappy as that situation is.

Gosh, you're right. Spangler only averaged 29 minutes last year. He's going to have to log more minutes. Especially if Thomas can't play this season. It's looking like Lattin might even play more than Bennett. We're going to have to give some minutes to Mankin or CJ Cole. I have no idea if McNeace is ready to play Big 12 basketball yet.

 

[KBaden145]

Gosh, you're right. Spangler only averaged 29 minutes last year. He's going to have to log more minutes.

I have no idea if McNeace is ready to play Big 12 basketball yet.

I think Spangler was going to play more minutes regardless.

I think the answer on McNeace, from what I've seen, I'm afraid is no.


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[jerry]

The problem is that Bennett doesn't look any better than last year.

 

[WTSooner]

If McNeace truly isn't ready to meaningfully contribute, I wonder if they don't still go ahead with the redshirt, and play Cole/Mankin as the 4th big? I didn't think that was a possibility, but seeing how much playing time they are giving Cole/Mankin the past two games, I wonder.

Also, even if that isn't their plan, that has to be the plan until the NCAA rules on Thomas. Because if Thomas is ruled eligible a week or two down the road, you wouldn't have wanted to play McNeace early, if the plan was to redshirt him. And I say that not remembering 100% what the redshirt rules are for basketball.

 

[campbest]

McNeace needs to redshirt, regardless of whether Thomas is eligible or not.

 

[Stikboy]

I know this may be considered sacrilege to some, but if Lattin continues to put up these rebounding and blocked shots numbers, while improving his offensive game... If Thomas is eligible, start he and Lattin and not Spangler? I know it sounds crazy, but look at the numbers and what Spangler offers. Look, I love Spangler, this isn't a slight on him at all. It has to do with Lattin's potential. I know, I need to tap on the brakes until we see Khadeem against real competition. That is a fact. But his talent and upside gets you thinking... He has range(his bricks from 3 so far notwithstanding). His athleticism and rim protection. Now, if Spangs comes out and starts nailing some midrange and turnaround Js it won't be as great of an argument. We'll see..

 

[BCSooners]

I know this may be considered sacrilege to some, but if Lattin continues to put up these rebounding and blocked shots numbers, while improving his offensive game... If Thomas is eligible, start he and Lattin and not Spangler? I know it sounds crazy, but look at the numbers and what Spangler offers. Look, I love Spangler, this isn't a slight on him at all. It has to do with Lattin's potential. I know, I need to tap on the brakes until we see Khadeem against real competition. That is a fact. But his talent and upside gets you thinking... He has range(his bricks from 3 so far notwithstanding). His athleticism and rim protection. Now, if Spangs comes out and starts nailing some midrange and turnaround Js it won't be as great of an argument. We'll see..

If we were a team rebuilding then I could see your point, but the fact that if we have Thomas eligible then we are talking about a sweet 16 team with potential to maybe do more. With those expectations you go with the proven warrior who is consistent and does a great job at his role every night. If Thomas is eligible then I expect Spangler to have a much better year because he won't be wore out at the end of games and the end of the season by having to carry such a big load.

 

[pnkranger]

I know this may be considered sacrilege to some, but if Lattin continues to put up these rebounding and blocked shots numbers, while improving his offensive game... If Thomas is eligible, start he and Lattin and not Spangler? I know it sounds crazy, but look at the numbers and what Spangler offers. Look, I love Spangler, this isn't a slight on him at all. It has to do with Lattin's potential. I know, I need to tap on the brakes until we see Khadeem against real competition. That is a fact. But his talent and upside gets you thinking... He has range(his bricks from 3 so far notwithstanding). His athleticism and rim protection. Now, if Spangs comes out and starts nailing some midrange and turnaround Js it won't be as great of an argument. We'll see..

This is silly.

 

[BoulderSooner]

McNeace needs to redshirt, regardless of whether Thomas is eligible or not.

there is no way that he could not be more helpfull than cj cole as the 4th post ..

 

[Stikboy]

If we were a team rebuilding then I could see your point, but the fact that if we have Thomas eligible then we are talking about a sweet 16 team with potential to maybe do more. With those expectations you go with the proven warrior who is consistent and does a great job at his role every night. If Thomas is eligible then I expect Spangler to have a much better year because he won't be wore out at the end of games and the end of the season by having to carry such a big load.

Agreed.

Much based on hypotheticals. Hope Lattin gains weight, continues to improve and get closer to his much higher ceiling..

 

[campbest]

there is no way that he could not be more helpfull than cj cole as the 4th post ..

Unless he has exponentially improved since last year, would take a guy who has been in the program a couple years first.