Props to Blair, Osby and Fitz!

[BoulderSooner]

osby needs to shoot 15 times a game at least

 

[campbest]

I do know we have enough to contend and make it to the tournament just look at Butler. We have more talent and players are more athletic our guys need to trust the coach, play better defense, play team ball relying on each other and BELIEVE.
That's the key to winning you have to work with what you have.

This can't be real.

 

[quick release]

I do know we have enough to contend and make it to the tournament just look at Butler. We have more talent and players are more athletic our guys need to trust the coach, play better defense, play team ball relying on each other and BELIEVE.
That's the key to winning you have to work with what you have.

so butler, the team who has been to the title game 2 years in a row, was less talented than this OU team who will be lucky to win 5-6 conference games. right...

As far as grooms goes, the gotlieb comparison seems spot on to me. grooms seems like a more athletic, less intelligent version of gotlieb. does he have a role on the team? absolutely, but that role is predicated on SOMEONE making a jump shot. We just dont have anyone right now that can do that consistently. because of this teams take pledger out of the game and clog the paint. this translates to little to no points in the half court.

 

[25mob]

osby needs to shoot 15 times a game at least

Not going to happen because if Fitz was not in foul trouble he is going to take those extra shots.

 

[AdaSooner]

Not going to happen because if Fitz was not in foul trouble he is going to take those extra shots.

Good point. I would like to see Fitz take fewer shots, or at least not go into a I'm going to shoot no matter what mode nearly everytime he touches the ball. I believe he would get better shots if he passed the ball back out more often. He does that some, just not enough.

When Drew picks his spots and gets quality looks, he's a very good mid-range shooter. I would just like to see him be more selective.

 

[25mob]

Good point. I would like to see Fitz take fewer shots, or at least not go into a I'm going to shoot no matter what mode nearly everytime he touches the ball. I believe he would get better shots if he passed the ball back out more often. He does that some, just not enough.

When Drew picks his spots and gets quality looks, he's a very good mid-range shooter. I would just like to see him be more selective.

I fully agree with you on Fitz getting into I'm shooting no matter what mode and I think it is effecting his teammates. I noticed that when they throw him the ball they just kind of stand around as if they are expecting him to shoot every time. I think somehow if they would trust that he would pass the ball more they might be more likely to cut and move without the basketball. But then again it could just be me.

 

[garyeb2]

I'm not so sure on the arguement against Fitz shooting the ball. Someone has to shoot it. When it is Cam or Grooms, the most likely result is a rebound opportunity. Pledger isn't getting enough shots. The reason's for that have been well debated.

Teams can not survive over the long haul as only a bunch of peremeter shooters. Winners have to get production from the paint. I would prefer that Osby got a few more touches. I think he is equally as good at working around and getting off a contested shot.

My opinion is that if they keep pounding inside, eventually it will loosen up alittle for the outside guys. Before the Houston game, Dickey said " we are not going to let Fitzgerald beat us" and Pledger went off on them. Sometimes it works that way.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm not for limiting Fitz's shots. I just want to see him take better shots. I believe he can do that if he passes the ball back out when he's double-teamed and when he's out of position to score with a high degree of success.

That is, providing the guards don't start jacking up ill-advised shots when the pass comes their way. If that happens, I would rather see Fitz take the shot. He's far more likely to make tough shots than any guard we've got.

 

[WTSooner]

I'm not for limiting Fitz's shots. I just want to see him take better shots. I believe he can do that if he passes the ball back out when he's double-teamed and when he's out of position to score with a high degree of success.

That is, providing the guards don't start jacking up ill-advised shots when the pass comes their way. If that happens, I would rather see Fitz take the shot. He's far more likely to make tough shots than any guard we've got.

I think the OSU game was the first time this season that we saw individuals try to "do it on their own", offensively. LK needs to put a stop to that now, and I think he will.

 

[AdaSooner]

I think the OSU game was the first time this season that we saw individuals try to "do it on their own", offensively. LK needs to put a stop to that now, and I think he will.

Good point.

They were doing it on defense, too. We didn't see the same commitment to the help side that had been a trademark of this team during a six to eight game stretch. It actually reared its ugly head in the second half of the Cincy game. I don't even want to think about Mizzou. The team recovered nicely in the first half of the KU game. But forgot how well team defense works in the second half; a set back that also included turnovers and poor shooting.

I feel sure that LK is well aware of were the breakdowns occurred, and he'll do everything he can to correct it. It needs to be quick, though. K-State will be another bad match up for this OU team. They pressure the ball with the in-your-face defense that seems to define Frank Martin teams. IMHO, a win on Saturday would be a major accomplishment.

 

[scrybe]

IMHO, a win on Saturday would be a major accomplishment.

Truer words were never spoken (typed?). I'm extremely disappointed with the way the team is playing right now and I think it's imperative that Coach Kruger figures out how to get the Sooner ship back on course soon. I think he will.

I realize OU is playing much tougher opposition now that conference play has started. But the same principles of team defense (and offense too, for that matter) apply, no matter who you're playing. I know this team can compete against opponents like OSU; they've just got to get back to playing sound, fundamental basketball.

By the way, Carl Blair played great against OSU. The Sooners obviously need more offensive production from their guards, and Carl seems to be the only one that can provide it. I agree with those who think the Sooners would benefit from having Grooms and Blair on the court together more.

 

[garyeb2]

I'm not for limiting Fitz's shots. I just want to see him take better shots. I believe he can do that if he passes the ball back out when he's double-teamed and when he's out of position to score with a high degree of success.

That is, providing the guards don't start jacking up ill-advised shots when the pass comes their way. If that happens, I would rather see Fitz take the shot. He's far more likely to make tough shots than any guard we've got.

I've mentioned this before. I mean I was there and watched and heard him talk to the kids about it time after time. He has a 6 second rule. The 1st 6 seconds of the possesion (either after a made shot, rebound, or turnover) they can go be athletic basketball players. That includes open 3's. I'm sure that is to encourage them to get the ball upcourt as quickly as they can. And that is probably about the time frame that a defense is likely to be out of position.

But, after 6 sec., he tells them that they had better be running his offense. I'm also pretty sure that the continued violation of that rule was a contributing factor in getting Calvin in an unfavorable position.

 

[campbest]

I realize OU is playing much tougher opposition now that conference play has started. But the same principles of team defense (and offense too, for that matter) apply, no matter who you're playing. I know this team can compete against opponents like OSU; they've just got to get back to playing sound, fundamental basketball.

There is a reason those teams are better...they are able to break you down (offensively and defensively) to get you our of the basic principles. Most of the time, talent is going to win out.

 

[scrybe]

There is a reason those teams are better...they are able to break you down (offensively and defensively) to get you our of the basic principles. Most of the time, talent is going to win out.

Don't disagree with the basic tenet of your statement, campbest. But if you're implying that OU can't compete with teams like OSU based solely on the Cowboys' superior talent, then I will have to disagree.

 

[AdaSooner]

Don't disagree with the basic tenet of your statement, campbest. But if you're implying that OU can't compete with teams like OSU based solely on the Cowboys' superior talent, then I will have to disagree.

I agree that OU's talent is no worse than equal to anything OSU can put on the floor. But when three starters (the three who didn't receive props at the beginning of this thread) perform poorly at the same time, the result is usually a loss that should have been a win.

I don't take anything away from OSU. Their players came ready to play and OU's player didn't match their intensity or their effort. If that doesn't change on Saturday, K-State will embarrass us on our own floor.

 

[DenverSooner]

They also had home court advantage. That is a big thing in basketball. I don't think officials favor the home team but I do think they are impacted by the emotion of the home crowd. A perfect example was Cam Clark's third foul. I really don't think that was a foul on Clark but it was called a foul and really impacted Clark. Just before that foul he was starting to have an impact on the game. After the foul he went into a shell a bit.

I think OU will beat OSU in Norman. Neither team is particularly good right now. They are both missing key components of a good team.