Proud of our subs tonight

[AdaSooner]

OU's back up players gave the team a lift in the second half. C. J. with 8 points and 6 boards (3 offensive) in only 17 minutes had one heck of a game. But I thought all of our subs, regardless of their stats, were the difference when ORU made a run and cut OU's lead to six in the second half. Carl played well and Neal hit a clutch three when we really needed it.

This was a good win against a veteran team that was capable of walking out of the LNC with bragging rights.

 

[TheGimper]

Carl played well.

We must have been watching a different game. Carl was mostly awful. He had a couple shining moments, but aside from that he had some dumb turnovers, dumb fouls, and had awful court vision when he facing the press.

 

[AdaSooner]

I said Carl played well, I didn't say he was perfect.

What about Grooms? He had 4 turnovers tonight to go with 5 assists and 2 points in 29 minutes. Blair had 2 points, 3 assists and 2 turnovers in only 13 minutes. I fail to see how one is deserving of more criticism than the other?

Blair's contribution is not all that difficult to see, if you'll look for the positives instead of the mistakes he makes.

 

[Shooterms]

We needed Blair to give us some functional minutes off the bench tonight. He did that. Who would have thought that our bench would be one of our weapons?

 

[StatGeek]

I said Carl played well, I didn't say he was perfect.

What about Grooms? He had 4 turnovers tonight to go with 5 assists and 2 points in 29 minutes. Blair had 2 points, 3 assists and 2 turnovers in only 13 minutes. I fail to see how one is deserving of more criticism than the other?

Blair's contribution is not all that difficult to see, if you'll look for the positives instead of the mistakes he makes.

Agreed, I think the Gimp has a turd in his punchbowl.

 

[MNsooner]

I said Carl played well, I didn't say he was perfect.

What about Grooms? He had 4 turnovers tonight to go with 5 assists and 2 points in 29 minutes. Blair had 2 points, 3 assists and 2 turnovers in only 13 minutes. I fail to see how one is deserving of more criticism than the other?

Blair's contribution is not all that difficult to see, if you'll look for the positives instead of the mistakes he makes.

:clap:clap:clap

Blair may be one of those guys that people will look at and see a good player if they are looking for one and a bad player if they are looking for one. Realistically, he gives solid minutes off the bench, and fortunately that is all we ask of him.

 

[Soonerborn03]

OU's back up players gave the team a lift in the second half. C. J. with 8 points and 6 boards (3 offensive) in only 17 minutes had one heck of a game. But I thought all of our subs, regardless of their stats, were the difference when ORU made a run and cut OU's lead to six in the second half. Carl played well and Neal hit a clutch three when we really needed it.

This was a good win against a veteran team that was capable of walking out of the LNC with bragging rights.

There was a 90 second stretch at the end of the game that really left a bad taste in my mouth regarding Blair's performance.

He turned the ball over twice in a row against the press. On the third possession, he was successful to get it past half court. I'm happy to see him push it past the half court line this time. To quickly change my mood, he then takes it all the way to the hoop with 20+ seconds on the shot clock. We had a 9 point lead with 3 minutes to go, and he's throwing up a wild, contested lay-up attempt? Thankfully, there was a foul called on the floor before his shot. He then missed the front end of a one and one.

He may have played well in other spurts, but all I can recall about his play tonight is that series of possessions where he nearly single handedly opened the door to an ORU comeback.

He has been the lone player on the roster that I have seen this season that has regressed from last season. I sure hope he pulls out of this funk he has been in.

 

[j2d2]

CJ is the one that I'm glad to see make a significant contribution. I like the guy. I think that, if he had more minutes, he would be a better scorer and defender both.

 

[PeteHoops]

CJ had really good energy tonight and played with a purpose. Blair looked terrible handling the full court press. Neal was looking to attack a little until he got a charge, but hit a big shot very calmly. Arent doesn't do it for me, he plays hard, but is mostly clueless. CJ elevated the bench tonight, but I'm not ready to call it a "weapon" by any means.

 

[garyeb2]

CJ is the one that I'm glad to see make a significant contribution. I like the guy. I think that, if he had more minutes, he would be a better scorer and defender both.

I like CJ alot too. With Arent's development seeming at a standstill, CJ is probably a better option right now.

I know that he has been subbing for Osby. But, he probably could contribute just as well for Fitz.

But, we have to keep in mind CJ's limitations. Remember, Capel cleverly stole him away from Oral Roberts.

 

[NormanPride]

CJ has made rapid improvement this year and I think his quality minutes are a big reason we have done as well as we have. I think his continued development is key, and would go so far to say that the point he is no longer able to give us quality minutes is the point where we will really start struggling.

 

[AdaSooner]

I agree that Arent has not been what we hoped he'd be when the season started. I'm not sure why he is woefully inefficient in finishing shots in close? He seems to be intimidated by the slightest challenge from a defender of any size. He plays hard and he rebounds well at times. But he has to be able to score on shots that are little more than layups to really help this team going forward.

 

[campbest]

I agree that Arent has not been what we hoped he'd be when the season started. I'm not sure why he is woefully inefficient in finishing shots in close? He seems to be intimidated by the slightest challenge from a defender of any size. He plays hard and he rebounds well at times. But he has to be able to score on shots that are little more than layups to really help this team going forward.

There is a reason he was in junior college...if a guy with that size is finishing and has a nice 8-10ft range, he wouldn't be in the Cali JUCO system.

 

[garyeb2]

There is a reason he was in junior college...if a guy with that size is finishing and has a nice 8-10ft range, he wouldn't be in the Cali JUCO system.

He was in the Cal. Jr. College system because:

1) He lived in California
2) He had bad grades
3) He was 6' 10" and 165 lbs

He certainly hasn't come along as well as I had hoped or predicted.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Kruger is sticking to his guns and going a solid 9 deep. You have to do that to play up tempo and pressure defense.

He will continue to use Blair because he needs to to have the team play his game.

After we add M'Baye and the freshmen next year he will probably go 10 deep.

Using his bench and playing tough help defense are things the women's team could use now.