Sampson and Tubbs recruits JUCO's; Lon recruits HS

[Big Old Booger]

Tubbs and Sampson didn't have down years like this year. The main reason for that is because they always recruited JUCO players who were more mature both mentally and physically and then filled the remainder with HS talent. Lon has built this team just the opposite. We have 1 JUCO player on the roster. Last year we had 1. The most he's had is 2 with Arent and Grooms (if I remember correctly) his first few years (which he recruited; he also had the kid from Stringtown recruited by Capel).

So, yes it sucks we are having a bad season and -- barring a miracle in Kansas City never seen before from this program (winning 4 games in 4 days) -- we will not have a team in March Madness for the first time in 4 years. However, the heights this program can reach are much higher with good high school talent that stays 3-4 years as opposed to new players every 2 years.

 

[MercedeSooner]

JUCO ain't the same anymore.

 

[152219]

JUCO ain't the same anymore.

With kids now being able to go to prep school to get their grades in order I don't see how people continue to miss this. Strong-Moore was a Juco AA and he simply isn't very good. Shows you how far Juco has fallen.

 

[usedtobe1]

True that Juco isn't the same, but there still are some good players out there. Maybe 15-20 good D1 players every year.

Strong-Moore is playing hurt. I don't think he got that shoulder surgery he was supposed to get last spring..... or it didn't work. He's much quicker than Sheperd and plays better defense but I wouldn't be surprised if he's done for the season. Sheperd seems to have decent court vision. He's not overly quick and needs a good off-season to get bigger and stronger. JMHO.

 

[oudna]

I researched this last year.

Unfortunately, JUCO is dead.

 

[usedtobe1]

There are some D1 transfers that use jucos as a stepping stone to a new school. Sometimes they need a year at a juco to showcase their skills, so that they have more schools to choose from.

Iowa State seemed to come up with 1-2 jucos every year that helped them under Hoiberg. I know McKay last year was a stud in the post.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Tubbs ushered in the JUCO era and prospered. He lost some of that edge as others joined in the JUCO hunt and fewer top players had to go JUCO to be eligible for Div I. Not a lot there anymore.

 

[Big Old Booger]

My point wasn't that JUCO isn't dead. It is dead, and look at our most recent JUCO recruits for proof of that. None of them have been very good though Grooms was serviceable.

My point is Lon is building this program differently so instead of having many mediocre seasons with a great season every 10 years we instead may have a great season every 4 years with a bad season every 4-8 years.

As much as I love watching the Sooners in March Madness, I think I prefer more great seasons (and 1-2 bad) over a given period of time than to be just good enough to get there and lose on day 1.

 

[hoopsaustin]

It doesn't have to be awesome season or horrible season if you're a good coach...

 

[cvangild]

Juco basketball in the 80's/90's was BIG TIME! Heck, Kansas alone had several programs that produced several big time D-1 players. Tubbs had huge success with jucos and attracted them with his style of play and his personality.

Today, you aren't going to find guys like Larry Johnson, Jackie Jones, Skeeter, Mookie, Harvey Grant, Bryan Sallier, Smokey McCovery etc. in juco.

A guy like Darrion Strong (nothing against Darrion) wouldn't be a juco all-American back in the day.

 

[BCSooners]

It doesn't have to be awesome season or horrible season if you're a good coach...

Lol what? Please tell me of 1 coach who didn't have a bad season in college basketball?

 

[Bricklayer]

There are plenty of good JuCO players out there. Only have to look at Baylor, their JuCOs are working out, OU with Manyang and Strong not so much.

Now is it poor recruiting or just bad luck. If Manyang was a reliable rebounder, shot blocker with a little offense, that alone might have been the difference in 6 or 7 games this year.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Lol what? Please tell me of 1 coach who didn't have a bad season in college basketball?

An 8 win season? Lol should be plenty..

 

[inoref]

There are plenty of good JuCO players out there. Only have to look at Baylor, their JuCOs are working out, OU with Manyang and Strong not so much.

Now is it poor recruiting or just bad luck. If Manyang was a reliable rebounder, shot blocker with a little offense, that alone might have been the difference in 6 or 7 games this year.

Too many "IF's" in there for me..Manyang was a good puncher or so I heard

 

[BCSooners]

An 8 win season? Lol should be plenty..

Is the season over?

 

[colston15]

Is the season over?

With the remaining schedule and this team's complete inability to win close games, I'd say getting to double figures would be quite an accomplishment.

 

[thebigabd]

Houston is 16-7 with 7 jucos on roster, and more coming in next year. They are setup to be pretty darn good next season. Will likely be Sampsons best team there.

 

[coolm]

is it really so hard to understand how a win/loss record is not a good metier to evaluate a young team upon?

 

[thebigabd]

is it really so hard to understand how a win/loss record is not a good metier to evaluate a young team upon?

what do you suggest?

 

[coolm]

what do you suggest?

watch players reactions defensively. watch how the play together - especially the times they isolate a side and they play a little 2 man game. I just look to see how the underclassmen fit in with one another. The progression of Doolittle has been fun so far.