Preseason Coach's poll is out

[BigTime]

The 11th place team either goes 3-13 or 4-12. If OU has another season like that it will show 3 out of 5 years that OU has been horrendous without Blake Griffin.

If that were to happen, it will be Capel's last season at OU.

I don't see OU finishing higher than 10th, so finishing 11th is certainly a possibility.

Do you have your conference rankings yet, bigtime?

So do you think that he will be canned no matter what if this team finishes 10th? If so, care to put anything down on that? I study OU basketball with as much fervor as you do Tech, Mizzou, ISU, CU, and Nebbish. So I feel comfortable putting my money, avatar, '96 OU trading cards etc... where my keyboard is. Now if some of the things that I listed above come true then all bets are off and it may indeed be his last. But I think it would be his last regardless of conference record if those things happened anywhere near the level that we saw last season.

And no, I don't have my rankings yet. As excited as I am for OU basketball, I haven't found the enthusiasm yet to research the other teams and their schedules. I really only care about us at this point.

 

[BigTime]

Re: When was the last time you saw a pre-season poll....

Yea, I do agree Cam, Osby, TJ, & Newell are talented....I would like to say Goff is talented as well but I havent seen him play....

It would just be tough to finish 11th and capel not be on the hot seat....It is just unacceptable....our program would look terrible from the outside in....it would have to effect recruiting.

He WOULD be on the hot seat. No doubt about it. But he won't get fired. He will just have to win and make the dance in 2011.

Our program already looks terrible from the outside in right now. We can thank last season for that.

 

[thebigabd]

So do you think that he will be canned no matter what if this team finishes 10th?

No, not necessarily. If they lose a bunch of games by single digits it probably inspires enough confidence for a last ditch effort in 2011 to make it work with Capel.

But, if they are losing by double-digits on a fairly regular basis and they finish 10th or 11th he will get canned. Just looking at the schedule I would put money on them losing by 10 or more in about 8 or 9 games.

 

[NickZepp]

If we just play with effort we'll win a lot of games in the Big 12 this year. It's not like the Big 12 is really strong right now. Kansas and KSU are good and so is Baylor. Rest of the Big 12 has a bunch of decent teams at best. All of the other teams have enough weaknesses for a team like OU to beat if they have any effort at all. Last years team flat out quit. I doubt that happens this year.

 

[BigTime]

No, not necessarily. If they lose a bunch of games by single digits it probably inspires enough confidence for a last ditch effort in 2011 to make it work with Capel.

But, if they are losing by double-digits on a fairly regular basis and they finish 10th or 11th he will get canned. Just looking at the schedule I would put money on them losing by 10 or more in about 8 games.

So you think he will get canned then since we are going to lose 8 games by 10 or more. Care to put something on that? (you know i'm good for it).

Sorry to disappoint you but Jeff Capel isn't getting fired next season. Mark it down. You amaze me with your lack of knowledge regarding the program that you claim to be your home team. If I didn't know any better I would bet that you don't want this team to win. IF we do bet something on it, you truly won't want this team to win because you will want to be right.

Hey Nick Thompson,

:Intensethompson:

It is truly you guys against the world this year...use it as motivation and let's prove 'em wrong. If you get us back to the dance, then I will consider a lower gum tattoo!

 

[BigTime]

If we just play with effort we'll win a lot of games in the Big 12 this year. It's not like the Big 12 is really strong right now. Kansas and KSU are good and so is Baylor. Rest of the Big 12 has a bunch of decent teams at best. All of the other teams have enough weaknesses for a team like OU to beat if they have any effort at all. Last years team flat out quit. I doubt that happens this year.

I completely agree.

 

[thebigabd]

If we just play with effort we'll win a lot of games in the Big 12 this year.

That just sounds bogus, and it ignores everything outside of trying hard (aka effort) in basketball.

I am not trying to be Johnny Raincloud here, but dang.

So you think he will get canned then since we are going to lose 8 games by 10 or more. Care to put something on that? (you know i'm good for it).

I don't think he will get canned BECAUSE he lost those particular 8 games by 10 or more, I think he will get canned for finishing at the bottom of the conference again and having bad records in 3 years without Blake Griffin.

You amaze me with your lack of knowledge regarding the program that you claim to be your home team.

There is no lack of knowledge about this team reflected in my comments.

If I didn't know any better I would bet that you don't want this team to win.

Of course I want OU to win. But wanting something and actually thinking something will happen are two different things.

IF we do bet something on it, you truly won't want this team to win because you will want to be right.

Thats not true... Here is an example.

If OU sucks and is playing on the road at the #1 team in the country, and someone bets me $100 that OU will win, I would take the bet. That doesn't mean that I wanted OU to lose, just that I thought I could win that bet.

 

[BigTime]

That just sounds bogus, and it ignores everything outside of trying hard (aka effort) in basketball.

I am not trying to be Johnny Raincloud here, but dang.



I don't think he will get canned BECAUSE he lost those particular 8 games by 10 or more, I think he will get canned for finishing at the bottom of the conference again and having bad records in 3 years without Blake Griffin.



There is no lack of knowledge about this team reflected in my comments.



Of course I want OU to win. But wanting something and actually thinking something will happen are two different things.



Thats not true... Here is an example.

If OU sucks and is playing on the road at the #1 team in the country, and someone bets me $100 that OU will win, I would take the bet. That doesn't mean that I wanted OU to lose, just that I thought I could win that bet.

Put up or keep your mouth shut. Capel will be the OU coach in 2011 (I will even drop the exemptions that I posted in my first reply because I am confident that this team will not do that sort of nonsense). Fact. The only reason the bet would be void on my end would be if he left for a better job on his own accord.

$100 sent to somebody we both trust.

Deal or no deal?

PS #1: If I hear you mention the Blake Griffin thing again then I am going to punch a kitten in the kidneys. We get it.

PS #2: It must suck going through life not being able to let yourself go and be a fan. Truly the best thing about sports imo.

PS #3: I will use my winnings to better the student section in some way....say a Big Puma costume for Barry's senior year.

 

[thebigabd]

Put up or keep your mouth shut.

Woah!

Capel will be the OU coach in 2011 (I will even drop the exemptions that I posted in my first reply because I am confident that this team will not do that sort of nonsense). Fact. The only reason the bet would be void on my end would be if he left for a better job on his own accord.

That's a risky bet for me because there is a lot that goes into firing a coach, and that doesn't happen at OU very often. Everything may go wrong this year and he could still keep his job because of contract stuff, too much buyout, etc.

How bout we bet on season results and not go back and forth on Capel's job. His job is his personal business and directly affects his family, livelyhood, career, etc and I don't feel comfortable betting on that as a fan.

If I hear you mention the Blake Griffin thing again then I am going to punch a kitten in the kidneys. We get it.

lol.

It must suck going through life not being able to let yourself go and be a fan. Truly the best thing about sports imo.

I enjoy myself.

I will use my winnings to better the student section in some way....say a Big Puma costume for Barry's senior year.

I will donate my winnings to OUhoops.com

 

[Sam]

No, not necessarily. If they lose a bunch of games by single digits it probably inspires enough confidence for a last ditch effort in 2011 to make it work with Capel.

But, if they are losing by double-digits on a fairly regular basis and they finish 10th or 11th he will get canned. Just looking at the schedule I would put money on them losing by 10 or more in about 8 or 9 games.

Its funny how you write off our own team so quickly yet you are willing to pimp a 2011-12 Tech team with similar/lesser talent and also a "questionable" coach.

Lets compare your new darkhorse with this year Sooners' team.

2011-12 Tech
PG: Javarez Willis (5'11'' 175)- #74 player in 2010 class. One of the better shooters in the class. #12 player in Texas in 2009. Had a 10 three pointer game and an 18 three pointer game in high school.

SG: Marshall Henderson (6'2'' 170)- All-time leader in Div. 5A in the state of Texas in made three-pointers (429).. Mountain West Honorable Mention as a freshman. Averaged 11ppg for Utah.

SF: Terran Petteway (6'6'' 185)- #8 player in Texas. Very energetic athlete, attacks the rim, always around the ball, quick to the boards, finishes with spring at the rim, nice stroke from 18 feet.

PF: Jaye Crockett (6'7'' 205)- Averaged 29 and 12 in high school. Crockett is very athletic and possesses an extra long wing span. He excels in transition where he finishes above the rim. He is a good ball handler and passer. upside factor could be off the charts. - ESPN

C: Robert Lewandowski (6'10'' 260)- Had 8 games in double figures in conference as a freshman. Decent big guy.

Bench: Toddrick Gotcher, Mike Davis, Jamel Outler, Paul Cooper, Jordan Tolbert

A team you believe won't be bottom of the 2012 Big 12 right? They will be competitive right?

PG Carl Blair - (6'2 214) Averaged 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 31.0 minutes per game for an 8-22 squad ... Played in all 30 games and made 29 starts.

SG Cade Davis - (6'5 206) Played in all 31 games and started each of the last 27 ... Averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.0 assist and a team-high 1.5 steals in 31.8 minutes per outing

SF Cameron Clark - (6'6 195) A two-time Texas Association of Basketball Coaches First-Team All-State selection and two-time District 9-4A most valuable player ... Ranked as nation's No. 32 recruit by ESPN, No. 34 by Rivals.com and No. 39 by Scout.com ... Regarded as country's fifth-best small forward by Rivals.com and sixth-best by ESPN and Scout.com ... Averaged 23.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals as a senior to help Sherman to a 21-14 record and second straight district title ...

PF Nick Thompson (6'9 212) Averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.6 minutes per game as a sophomore at College of Eastern Utah ... Helped Golden Eagles to a 27-10 record and a third-place finish at the national junior college tournament (school's best finish in 45 years) ... Shot .556 from the field, .399 from 3-point range (19-for-49) and .688 from the free throw line ...

C Andrew Fitzgerald (6'8 237) Played in 26 of team's 31 games and made 11 starts ... Seven starts came in the final seven games ... Averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 15.7 minutes a contest ... Ranked third on team with his .511 field goal percentage and also shot .638 from the free throw line (30-for-47) ... Averaged 13.0 points on 19-for-32 (.594) shooting over a three-game February stretch against Colorado, Kansas State and Kansas ... Recorded season highs of 16 points (8-for-14 shooting), six rebounds and 37 minutes at No. 1 Kansas (Feb. 22)

Bench - Calvin Newell, Steven Pledger, T.J. Taylor, C.J. Washington


Cade would shut down your Henderson boy just like he did Clark for the Hogs (6'2 little white shooter, isn't that special). Cameron Clark would take Pettway to school. The post players are a push imo, maybe a slight edge to Tech but still Thompson is crafty enough and mature enough to handle a true sophomore with limited PT as a freshman. Point Guard is a push with maybe a slight edge to Tech's guy cause he could be a better offensive player than Carl. OU's bench has more guard talent than Tech's so it isn't like they would kill OU with depth. They're also a young team just like OU in 2010-11.

So my question is how is that Tech team going to be able to compete in a still tough Big 12 yet this OU team with a similar make up is going to be blown out multiple times and be a doormat in your eyes?

 

[NickZepp]

The thing is that big seems to think the Big 12 is this amazingly hard league. I don't see that. I'm not saying we will be the best team in the conference this year but outside of the top 3 teams we can beat just about anyone else in this league right now.

 

[thebigabd]

So my question is how is that Tech team going to be able to compete in a still tough Big 12 yet this OU team with a similar make up is going to be blown out multiple times and be a doormat in your eyes?

Well, I think those Tech guys are going to be better than you do obviously. And you clearly think more of Carl Blair than I do, but neither one of us have seen either one of them play.

is going to be blown out multiple times and be a doormat in your eyes?

Its not like im the only one who thinks OU will be at the bottom of the conference. The league coaches think so, the media will think so, fans from other schools surely think so, etc. Many OU fans on this forum think so.

Maybe everyone will be wrong and they will be a good post-season team, NIT or NCAA. That would be great. I would get on here and admit I was wrong about everything, and would be glad to do so.

 

[OULad]

I dont think we will finish 11th. I think we will be ahead of Iowa St, Nebraska and Tech, and i do not see why we cannot compete for position with OSU, A&M, Texas and Colorado. If you put a gun to my head I say we finish 8th.

 

[Cheno]

Its funny how you write off our own team so quickly yet you are willing to pimp a 2011-12 Tech team with similar/lesser talent and also a "questionable" coach.

Lets compare your new darkhorse with this year Sooners' team.

Sam I don't know if Tech will be better or OU will be better. My gut says OU. But the list of lineups you put for both teams screams 10th, 11th or 12th in the Big 12. At this point in year 5 that's not a good thing, IMO.

 

[BigTime]

Well, I think those Tech guys are going to be better than you do obviously. And you clearly think more of Carl Blair than I do, but neither one of us have seen either one of them play.



Its not like im the only one who thinks OU will be at the bottom of the conference. The league coaches think so, the media will think so, fans from other schools surely think so, etc. Many OU fans on this forum think so.

Maybe everyone will be wrong and they will be a good post-season team, NIT or NCAA. That would be great. I would get on here and admit I was wrong about everything, and would be glad to do so.

I'd also be glad to see you do so but your past history shows that you will either deny it or spin it. But hey, prove me wrong this time.

I'm sorry that I am after you a bit but we've all already been through enough of the nightmare that was last season. Did you honestly expect anything different from the coaches and media? We lost a ton of "fans". This team was gutted. Capel filled it with guys that want to work hard and be here. I thought to myself, 'wow self, at least we can expect abd to finally start pimping our team... Now that we have JUCOs, overlooked guys, and transfers. It was at least going to be a bright spot in an otherwise horrible offseason.'

But, you've managed to still keep on doing your thang. No biggie. I just think you are about to be wrong....again. Only this time, I want to take some money off of you.

 

[okcsooner83]

I hope OU plays hard but winning games is what matters. I still renewed my season tickets and will attend every home game but unless the product improves on the court OU needs to move in a different direction with its head coach. I hate going into a season when it looks like OU has a slim chance of making the big dance, it is embarassing that OU's men's basketball team has fallen this far.

 

[BigTime]

I hope OU plays hard but winning games is what matters. I still renewed my season tickets and will attend every home game but unless the product improves on the court OU needs to move in a different direction with its head coach. I hate going into a season when it looks like OU has a slim chance of making the big dance, it is embarassing that OU's men's basketball team has fallen this far.

Oh without a doubt and this year's attendance is going to suffer greatly because of it. But I am hoping (been hearing good things) that this group will step up and surprise.

 

[WaymanFan]

BT is 100% correct - Coach Capel will be the OU head coach in '11-'12 as long as he does not lose control of this team. However, a losing record will put him on the hot seat for next year...as BT also stated.

Coach Capel has gotten the most out of his talent during his first three years here. The fact he had his first bad season based on the talent level of last year's squad does not put him on the hot seat this year. Counting his four years at VCU, the guy has literally had one bad year out of eight.

Finally, I wish people would stop talking about his first season at OU as if it was some kind of disaster. I'll continue to tell this story as long as the neophytes of this board won't shut up about his first year. I met a former co-worker for lunch in October of '06 and this was the extent of our OU hoops conversation (he's obviously not an OU fan).

Him: I see OU lost another 1st round game. It never gets old.

Me: Well, I hate to break it to you, but we won't lose in the 1st round this year.

Him: Not going to make it in?

Me: Not a chance. It's a rebuilding year since we pretty much lost our recruiting class with a coaching change. Even worse, our 25 year postseason streak is in jeopardy...most in the NCAA btw.



I remember him giving me credit for that prediction when the season was over, and me telling him I wish they were all that easy. This year's prediction is a bit harder with so many new faces. However, I'll stick with predicting a similar record as year #1 - a few games over .500 and about 8th or 9th in the conference.

 

[thebigabd]

But, you've managed to still keep on doing your thang. No biggie. I just think you are about to be wrong....again. Only this time, I want to take some money off of you.

Well, lets do a conference standing or total record bet (over/under?) this year and I will be right again, like I was last year.

Before we discuss our bet further for this year, why don't you just tell me where you think OU is going to end up? Total record and Big 12. I want to know what I am betting against here.

It's easy for people to rip on others opinions when they post none of their own.

 

[NickZepp]

If we have a debacle like last year where the team just quits on each other I doubt Caple is back. That's 2 completely different groups that do the same thing. It's pretty evident that the problem is coaching at that point. But I think last year was a one and a million type thing.