Practice 10-14-12

[garyeb2]

They looked pretty ragged. It's still early. I'm sticking to my story. Arent is much improved. He is holding his own with all the other bigs. Last season they just pushed him out of the way and knocked him down. Right now I would say he is ahead of the Juco transfer. Bennet is probably ahead of where Casey was last year and certainly has a higher ceiling.

Pledger, Grooms, and Cam had good shooting days. Osby was solid. M'Baye was only good in spots. He defended really well. But, he turned it over and missed shots way too much. He needs to focus some. By default,Cam gets the best player in the gym award.

Heild is really looking good. His outside shot was clanging off the rim today. But, he was all over the boards and taking defenders off the dribble. Cousins exibited good skills but still looks pretty green. Hornbeak gets the freshman of the day award. He won't shoot much be seems to be heady and smooth on both sides of the ball.

Spangler displayed some really good around the bucket play today. But, he doesn't need to be bouncing the ball in open court. CJ Cole was pretty steady. There is no reason to think that he won't be a contributer down the line.

The two practices that I have caught have been all defense all the time. After conditioning drills they start with 1 on 1 and then 2 on 2 and the 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 and finally 5 on 5. The offense tries to score. But, all the teaching is defense. "If they don't defend,they won't play" is something that I overheard today. The players are trying to defend with an intensity that make me think that they all understand that.

 

[j2d2]

We would have won some games we lost last year had we had better defense. That a some decent subs. Sampson made a believer out of me on the value of playing good defense. Gives you a chance to win when the shots arent falling.

 

[WTSooner]

Gary, I know it's just two practices in, but does the focus seem to be on individual defense, team defense, or both?

I'm a pretty big believer that you can put some pretty average individual defenders on the floor, and if they know how to defend well as a team, you can field a pretty good defense.

 

[garyeb2]

Gary, I know it's just two practices in, but does the focus seem to be on individual defense, team defense, or both?

I'm a pretty big believer that you can put some pretty average individual defenders on the floor, and if they know how to defend well as a team, you can field a pretty good defense.

When it is 1 on 1 they instuct on individual technique. And then when it goes to 2 on 2 it is switch and help and then switch and help all the way up until they get to 5 on 5. It has been man to man exclusivly so far. So, basically it is team defense.

It isn't a free for all. They use the offense to get to the defensive concept. If they hit a spot where the D is breaking down, then they will have the O just move and swing the ball without trying to score untill the D catches on to their assignments.

 

[WTSooner]

Thanks.

 

[garyeb2]

Gary, I know it's just two practices in, but does the focus seem to be on individual defense, team defense, or both?

I'm a pretty big believer that you can put some pretty average individual defenders on the floor, and if they know how to defend well as a team, you can field a pretty good defense.

I woke up this morning and thought that I may not be explaining well enough. These drills are not a scrimmage. The team on offense is being instructed to do things that "help" the drill. Now, the kids are competing and it is a loss for the D when the O scores. But, the entire exercise is directed toward getting the team to understand what Kruger wants on defense.

They have also spent time both days on full cout pressure and back court traps. That one is fun to watch. The ball is thrown in to a guard and two defenders are suppose to work together to trap him. One that stuck out was Hornbeak with the ball and Osby and Grooms trying to trap. Hornbeak could blow by them with ease.

Another thing that I have missed explaining is the way the team is broken up. There are three squads that have remained the same. Black shirts- Osby, Arent, Grooms, Heild, and Tyler. White shirts- Cole, Spangler, Jared, James,
and Steve N. Red shirts- Pledger,Fitz,Cam, Cousins, and Hornbeak. All three squads rotate into each drill as a group. Each of them will have a turn on both offense and defense.

To this point, they have not worked at all on offensive sets. When they get to offense, I'm guessing today, mayby we will seee some jersey swithching.

 

[garyeb2]

I forgot Bennet. I think he is with the red shirts.

 

[BigTime]

Thanks again gary. Please keep them coming.

What do you think of Bennett's hands so far (in other words are you detecting Ryan Wright/Orlando Allen hands)? Does he have any back to the basket post game that you can tell?

 

[garyeb2]

Thanks again gary. Please keep them coming.

What do you think of Bennett's hands so far (in other words are you detecting Ryan Wright/Orlando Allen hands)? Does he have any back to the basket post game that you can tell?

I like Bennet. It would be hard for me to say who he is like. He is thinner than I thought he would be. He doesn't seem to have any kind of a developed offensive game. What he does is defend, rebound, and stuff them back down. He has soft hands.

This is just my opinion. But, he seems to have a look on his face and body laungage that is asking himself if he really belongs here. (talent wise) I think he does.

 

[WTSooner]

I woke up this morning and thought that I may not be explaining well enough.

Your explanation was fine. I was mostly just curious if during, say, the five on five drills, the teaching was mainly centered on defending YOUR man, or if the coaches were working on switching, helping, and recovering. Sounds like the latter, which is good.

Kelvin's teams didn't always have a bunch of great individual defenders, but they always worked really well as a unit. I saw improvements in that area last year, but we were far from perfect. Hopefully we can keep improving in that area.

Thanks again.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

... The two practices that I have caught have been all defense all the time. After conditioning drills they start with 1 on 1 and then 2 on 2 and the 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 and finally 5 on 5. The offense tries to score. But, all the teaching is defense. "If they don't defend,they won't play" is something that I overheard today. The players are trying to defend with an intensity that make me think that they all understand that.

Music to my ears!

Thanks for the report!

 

[vbdad]

This team will be much better defensively. The freshman all will get after you and as of now aren't great shooters.
Bennett probably redshirts this year unless he completely blows Casey away for the fourth post position.

 

[Sam]

Another thing that I have missed explaining is the way the team is broken up. There are three squads that have remained the same. Black shirts- Osby, Arent, Grooms, Heild, and Tyler. White shirts- Cole, Spangler, Jared, James,
and Steve N. Red shirts- Pledger,Fitz,Cam, Cousins, and Hornbeak.

Pledger and M'Baye were on the same team on Saturday, they looked to have some good chemistry together and could be very good in two man game scenarios.

 

[CoachTalk]

This team will be much better defensively. The freshman all will get after you and as of now aren't great shooters.
Bennett probably redshirts this year unless he completely blows Casey away for the fourth post position.

JMO, but no way they redshirt Bennett

 

[Adreid4]

Just a few observations to add to what others have stated before me...

Cousins looks very solid defensively to me. Very long at the PG position and active with his hands. Grooms' shot looks more polished to me. Seems more confident on pull up jumpers. Arent looks much more refined down low. He seems to have softer hands and has displayed some decent moves down low as well as being active on the boards. Bennet is very athletic and has provided the most highlight dunks so far. Will be active on the glass and around the rim on defense. Offense isn't great but he has soft hands and has a high motor. Buddy will be a nice addition off of the bench to come in and bring some instant offense. He seems to have a knack for scoring the basketball. Hornbeak looks quick off the dribble (as do all of the freshman guards) but hasn't really done much to impress or disappoint as of yet. Fitz looks about the same as last year, very confident down low and active on the glass. Romero Osby has been the best player out there in my opinion. I have been impressed with M'Baye so far although there isn't much of a sample size. He comes as advertized, very athletic and can go down low or stretch it outside. He has a great looking shot but hasn't been hitting very consistently so far. He handles the ball very well for a guy his size. Cam looks to be bigger and has an improved jumper. He has also been solid so far. Tyler looks about the same as last year, might not be contributing much this year. Spangler will be good if he keeps working hard and uses this season like M'Baye did his transfer year. He is always hustling in every drill and puts max effort on every play. He has a pretty nice jumper from about 10 feet and is active on the glass. Reminds me of a Ryan Wright type player with a better shot and a little more athletic.

These are just some observations I have made based on the practices so far. Looking forward to checking out some of the practice today. In my opinion, this team today would beat last years team by 10 points or so. Much better defensively and more depth and athleticism off of the bench. The guys really seem to be buying in to what Lon is teaching them.

 

[AdaSooner]

They looked pretty ragged. It's still early. I'm sticking to my story. Arent is much improved. He is holding his own with all the other bigs. Last season they just pushed him out of the way and knocked him down. Right now I would say he is ahead of the Juco transfer. Bennet is probably ahead of where Casey was last year and certainly has a higher ceiling.

Pledger, Grooms, and Cam had good shooting days. Osby was solid. M'Baye was only good in spots. He defended really well. But, he turned it over and missed shots way too much. He needs to focus some. By default,Cam gets the best player in the gym award.

Heild is really looking good. His outside shot was clanging off the rim today. But, he was all over the boards and taking defenders off the dribble. Cousins exibited good skills but still looks pretty green. Hornbeak gets the freshman of the day award. He won't shoot much be seems to be heady and smooth on both sides of the ball.

Spangler displayed some really good around the bucket play today. But, he doesn't need to be bouncing the ball in open court. CJ Cole was pretty steady. There is no reason to think that he won't be a contributer down the line.

The two practices that I have caught have been all defense all the time. After conditioning drills they start with 1 on 1 and then 2 on 2 and the 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 and finally 5 on 5. The offense tries to score. But, all the teaching is defense. "If they don't defend,they won't play" is something that I overheard today. The players are trying to defend with an intensity that make me think that they all understand that.

Great stuff, Gary!

The part I put in bold is like music to my ears. I enjoy putting a lot of points on the scoreboard as much as anyone. But I'm an old school fan who believes that a good defense can win close games and games you weren't picked to win, 'cause it's something you can depend on when the shots aren't falling.

It's also good to know that Arent is improving. That's two straight reports where the news about him has been positive. One has to believe that if his progress continues, he's a big body who can really help us this season.

 

[cowboysooner]

Gary

Haven't had a chance to see any of the practices. How does CJ Cole compare to Tyler Neal and Spangler.

Second, do you see Kruger possibly starting Mbuye, Osby and fitz? Or, do you think this would make us too slow. Seems to me, Lon is likely going to start only 2 of the 3, grooms, and 2 kids out of the group of Cam, Bird, Heild, Cousins, neal and hornbeak.

Sounds like we have Fitz, Ro, Casey Arent and Bennett inside, grooms, bird, and the 3 freshman outside and then Mbuye, Neal and Cam as versatile players that can go either inside or outside. it might be difficult to pick a set lineup. it will be fun to see how it plays out.

 

[Adreid4]

They are running a little 5 on 5 right now with the red squad consisting of Grooms, Pledger, Cam, M'Baye, and Fitz. Looks like a solid lineup.

Romero is also in that group. They are rotating in and out since there are 6 on the red squad.

 

[WTSooner]

Second, do you see Kruger possibly starting Mbuye, Osby and fitz? Or, do you think this would make us too slow. Seems to me, Lon is likely going to start only 2 of the 3, grooms, and 2 kids out of the group of Cam, Bird, Heild, Cousins, neal and hornbeak.

You think Neal has a better shot at starting at the 3 than M'Baye? Uhh.....no.

Grooms, Bird, and Osby are starting for sure. And 2 of Fitz/Cam/M'Baye are starting. The younger guys MAY have a chance to start later in the year, but I don't see any chance they start early in the season.

 

[vbdad]

You think Neal has a better shot at starting at the 3 than M'Baye? Uhh.....no.

Grooms, Bird, and Osby are starting for sure. And 2 of Fitz/Cam/M'Baye are starting. The younger guys MAY have a chance to start later in the year, but I don't see any chance they start early in the season.

M'Baye starts or at least plays as many minutes as anybody on the team!

Neal will only play in blowouts or if we have a ton of injuries.