Just isn't there IMO..Fitz just isn't real athletic and Osby is good just undersized. We need a Bookout or Taj Gray type of post. Even Jabahri Brown, a guy that can altar many shots and finish at the rim aggressively. I hope Krugers finds some recruits like these in the next year.
Post Talent
- Thread starter rickjames
- Start date
AdaSooner
Admin Emeritus
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2008
- Messages
- 16,092
- Reaction score
- 83
I think most of us knew that going in, Rick. There's a reason OU was picked to finish ninth in conference. I thought we would be higher, maybe in sixth place. Now, I'm not so sure. We have very few scoring options with Newell no longer around. I still believe this team can finish in the middle of the Big 12 pack if they can find their mojo again.
BruinSooner
Member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 704
- Reaction score
- 3
Taj had a MUCH better offensive game than Osby.
cvangild
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
- Messages
- 1,510
- Reaction score
- 1,410
I have to disagree. I think our post guys are a very solid 1-2 punch. Fitz and Osby are one of the best combos in the Big 12...and I bet most of the coaches in the Big 12 would agree.
I think our weakness is by far on the perimeter. We don't have many who can create their own shot....and against tougher competition we have struggled shooting the ball well from outside. I had a feeling that Pledger's numbers would dramatically decrease once conference play came around. I bet he ends the season with like a 15-16 pt/game average..instead of 18-20. Cam has been totally inept at times. Neal has looked totally overwhelmed in conference play....consistently dribbling balls off his legs out of bounds and rushing shots. Grooms has been sporadiac and cant hit the broad side of a barn. Carl has probably been as good as anyone.
The good news is we have a nice talent infusion with Hield and Hornbeak coming in next year. I remember some questioning why we would take both players...but I am all for it. You can never have too many quality guards. They both have good size, are athletic and can shoot and create their own shot. Those two, plus Amath and Jarion Henry will be a great addition to this team next year. I think we can be really good if we play to our potential.
I think our weakness is by far on the perimeter. We don't have many who can create their own shot....and against tougher competition we have struggled shooting the ball well from outside. I had a feeling that Pledger's numbers would dramatically decrease once conference play came around. I bet he ends the season with like a 15-16 pt/game average..instead of 18-20. Cam has been totally inept at times. Neal has looked totally overwhelmed in conference play....consistently dribbling balls off his legs out of bounds and rushing shots. Grooms has been sporadiac and cant hit the broad side of a barn. Carl has probably been as good as anyone.
The good news is we have a nice talent infusion with Hield and Hornbeak coming in next year. I remember some questioning why we would take both players...but I am all for it. You can never have too many quality guards. They both have good size, are athletic and can shoot and create their own shot. Those two, plus Amath and Jarion Henry will be a great addition to this team next year. I think we can be really good if we play to our potential.
DenverSooner
New member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2008
- Messages
- 11,099
- Reaction score
- 0
I disagree. I think Fitz and Osby are doing fine. The problem is lack of depth more than anything. Fitz and Osby are averaging 23+ points a game and over 14 boards a game combined. That is not too bad.
Fitz was honorable mention all Big XII last year and his numbers are slightly better this year. His rebounding is up and his scoring is flat; however, OU is plaing more post players this year so he is doing better. Fitze needs to continue to work on his rebounding. Hopefully he will average 6+ this year (he is at 5.7 right now) and 7+ next season. He also needs to continue to improve at defense but I think he is doing a good job. Fitz is not going to throw down monster dunks but he is a very solid player.
I think post play is going to be a strength next season because OU will depth with M'Baye.
WTSooner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2011
- Messages
- 12,046
- Reaction score
- 1,163
I agree with the OP that Fitz and Osby, with our bench bigs, probably aren't good enough to make us a top 10 team (regardless of our guards). But I think they are good enough to get us into the top 25. They've been relatively productive and consistent throughout the year.
I have been pleased with the post players. Fitz is what he is (undersized post that can score at times) while Osby has been what I was hoping he would be.
Only one perimeter shooter of any reliability is an issue.
Grooms was not billed as a scorer but he needs shooters to allow his penetration to be effective. Clark and Neal have both struggled and Newell leaving hurt the team as well.
It is not a team that is going to score a ton against quality teams, they need to defend, rebound, and take care of the ball to have a chance.
Only one perimeter shooter of any reliability is an issue.
Grooms was not billed as a scorer but he needs shooters to allow his penetration to be effective. Clark and Neal have both struggled and Newell leaving hurt the team as well.
It is not a team that is going to score a ton against quality teams, they need to defend, rebound, and take care of the ball to have a chance.
Big Old Booger
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2008
- Messages
- 6,520
- Reaction score
- 1
AdaSooner
Admin Emeritus
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2008
- Messages
- 16,092
- Reaction score
- 83
Osby and Fitz are solid posts who would be great role players on a team with a dominate big. But the OP is saying this team is missing a player like Taj, Bookout or Brown, who could not be contained easily with junk defenses designed to shut down our inside game. I agree with that.
I'm a huge Fitz and Romero fan. But neither of them have proven to be a dominating force down low who can literally take over a game when we are desperate for points. I can think of several examples of OU posts from the past who were better than Taj, Kevin and Jabahri. I will be very happy, though, if any post player on this team can rise to their level before they are through. As much as I like and respect Romero and Drew, they're not there yet.
I'm a huge Fitz and Romero fan. But neither of them have proven to be a dominating force down low who can literally take over a game when we are desperate for points. I can think of several examples of OU posts from the past who were better than Taj, Kevin and Jabahri. I will be very happy, though, if any post player on this team can rise to their level before they are through. As much as I like and respect Romero and Drew, they're not there yet.
WTSooner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2011
- Messages
- 12,046
- Reaction score
- 1,163
I think it's really hard to compare Taj and Osby b/c of the talent playing around them. Taj had a lot more talent, and in turn, had better looks, including a ton of easy dunks/layups. Osby isn't getting those looks, but it's not entirely his fault. So how do you compare those guys? It's tough.
As for Brown, we could use his defense right now, but his offense was pretty bad. He would make the open layups/dunks, but he wasn't a guy you could throw the ball to in the post, and consistently get points. We sure could use his defense/rebounding though. No doubt.
As for Brown, we could use his defense right now, but his offense was pretty bad. He would make the open layups/dunks, but he wasn't a guy you could throw the ball to in the post, and consistently get points. We sure could use his defense/rebounding though. No doubt.
Neither Fitz or Osby are POST players. Neither guy are what should be considered a POST player because they don't spend a lot of time playing in the post. Most of the time both of them are out on the perimeter because OU runs so much pick and roll and they are shooting jump shots.
I think Osby is being a little unfairly judged because the roll he has to play for OU to succeed is to take less shots and rebound more. If he is shooting more, then who will hit the offensive glass? it's not going to be Fitz on a consistent basis. Also, this is Osby first year playing the 4 position so he needs some time adjusting his game to his new role on top of the fact he missed a whole year.
I think Osby is being a little unfairly judged because the roll he has to play for OU to succeed is to take less shots and rebound more. If he is shooting more, then who will hit the offensive glass? it's not going to be Fitz on a consistent basis. Also, this is Osby first year playing the 4 position so he needs some time adjusting his game to his new role on top of the fact he missed a whole year.
