Rebounding By Committee

[AdaSooner]

Who could have imagined that this team would hold a +10.8 rebounding edge over our opponents through ten games? I remember a conversation before the season started when the majority of posters thought that would be a major weakness this year. Most felt that rebounding by committee would be mandatory for this team to have any chance of holding their own on the boards.

Well, that is exactly what they have done. Everyone in the rotation has contributed so far. Osby leads with an impressive 8.8 average. Seven other players are averaging from 3.3 to 5.4 rebs per game. That's "rebounding by committee" at its finest!

It's anybody's guess if OU's dominance on the boards will continue? Conventional wisdom tells me our impressive +10.8 edge will slip some when we face bigger, better teams in the Big 12.

That said, I'm not nearly as concerned about getting killed on the boards as I was a few weeks ago. We may not win that battle in all of the games left on our schedule. But I have little doubt that this group of kids will compete, and compete hard!

 

[Shooterms]

Good rebounding comes down to want-to and effort. This team can't control the fact that it will be out-sized by some teams, but it can control effort and desire, as well as fundamentals. Kruger has instilled in them the impetus to maximize effort on the things they can control, and that is going to win games.

The other thing about this team is that they seem to feed off each others' successes, and it is not just one guy who can energize them. They have so bought in to "team" that when any player makes a big play, the whole team gets a jolt.

 

[DenverSooner]

What Big XII teams scare you when it comes to rebounding based on the play this season?

I don't really think any of them scare me. ISU and KU each have a guy that can clean up the glass. After that it is Romero Osby. I think this team can rebound with the Big XII teams. I think this team has a coach that flat out insists on guys rebounding and a player in Osby that will also insist his teammates rebound. I suspect OU will finish Big XII play as the 4th or 5th best rebounding team. If they can get their defense up to 4th or 5th, they will have a winning Big XII season.

Fitzgerald has not been rebounding as well as he should. I may have to break out the Andrea references again to motivate the guy. He has to average over 6 a game.

Cam also needs to rebound a little better. He needs to average 5+ a game. Cam has to laern that he is capable of a lot more than just scoring points. I think he has huge potential and I think it is really going to show before the year is over.

 

[AdaSooner]

Good rebounding comes down to want-to and effort. This team can't control the fact that it will be out-sized by some teams, but it can control effort and desire, as well as fundamentals. Kruger has instilled in them the impetus to maximize effort on the things they can control, and that is going to win games.

The other thing about this team is that they seem to feed off each others' successes, and it is not just one guy who can energize them. They have so bought in to "team" that when any player makes a big play, the whole team gets a jolt.

Excellent point, Shooter! There are no individuals on our roster this year. This group of kids defines the word "team" better than any OU team in my recent memory.

 

[BoulderSooner]

A good part of the big12 is not bigger. Osu no mizzou no Texas no.

Will Kansas hurt us on the boards. Maybe. But we are a very good rebounding team and that won't change

 

[BigTime]

What Big XII teams scare you when it comes to rebounding based on the play this season?

I don't really think any of them scare me. ISU and KU each have a guy that can clean up the glass. After that it is Romero Osby. I think this team can rebound with the Big XII teams. I think this team has a coach that flat out insists on guys rebounding and a player in Osby that will also insist his teammates rebound. I suspect OU will finish Big XII play as the 4th or 5th best rebounding team. If they can get their defense up to 4th or 5th, they will have a winning Big XII season.

Fitzgerald has not been rebounding as well as he should. I may have to break out the Andrea references again to motivate the guy. He has to average over 6 a game.

Cam also needs to rebound a little better. He needs to average 5+ a game. Cam has to laern that he is capable of a lot more than just scoring points. I think he has huge potential and I think it is really going to show before the year is over.

KSU, Baylor, and Kansas...

Ada,

It helps that both Cam and Pledger are becoming plus rebounding guards. Blair and Grooms have both hit the glass consistently as well. I love it when Grooms gets the rebound because he pushes it right down the floor.

 

[AdaSooner]

Ada,

It helps that both Cam and Pledger are becoming plus rebounding guards. Blair and Grooms have both hit the glass consistently as well. I love it when Grooms gets the rebound because he pushes it right down the floor.

No doubt about it, BT! Rebounding is a total team effort this year. That's why I wanted to call attention to what I see as a major improvement from last season when only three players (Cade, Cam and Fitz) averaged 4 or more rpg.

Shows you what hard work and buying into a coaching philosophy can do.