So what changes next year?

[beasooner]

2017- 11 Wins
2018- Add TY and BM and win 18 games +7)

2019 with out TY, and no real difference makers coming in.. I simply cannot see any better results, but maybe a step back toward 2017 results..

Thoughts?

 

[WTSooner]

Let's just say I'm worried.

Do I see a way for next year's team to win 18-20 games? Probably.

Would I predict them to do so at this point without TY? Doubtful.

 

[psk2080]

Back when you could get quality guys from juco, this wouldn't be such a concerning situation. Now it's going to be tough. The 5-star experiment didn't really work out. Now, with all but 2 players (right now) coming back, the team is just going to have to be what they are. If anyone transfers out, it will be too late to go find a replacement, so I don't think you want anyone really transferring out at this point. However, I wouldn't expect some of these guys to suddenly become much better next season. That being said, a defense first mentatlity might help them win some games that they lost this season. Forget trying to outgun everyone. Play defense and rebound and keep yourselves in games. Without Trae, there won't be a guy that can be a threat to score 20 or more every night. James, McGusty, Doolittle and Manek can all score 20 on given nights, but not consistently, so keep the scores in the 60s and low 70s as much as possible. As much as I love the run and gun, maybe it's time to return to a more Kelvin-esque brand of basketball. Kelvin had more successful teams with less talent than this one. I don't see any other way to even win 18 games next year. As poorly as this team has played defense and rebounded, there is probably no way they can keep up with other teams next year otherwise.

 

[hoopsaustin]

I would not care if anyone transferred.. these guys don't do basketball things right and they don't improve and their terrible habits might be too developed now. They're all great kids it seems, just not great basketball players

 

[psk2080]

The only problem with mass defections is that is completely eliminates the possibility of the team having any depth and any real success next year. It's too late to find replacements for next year. Time for the staff to hit the following year's recruiting class hard, with the idea that some of these kids will leave or, like in the case of McNease and James, they graduate.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I would not care if anyone transferred.. these guys don't do basketball things right and they don't improve and their terrible habits might be too developed now. They're all great kids it seems, just not great basketball players

Yeah but hopefully the reason they haven't developed isn't the coaches....

 

[BoulderSooner]

Let's just say I'm worried.

Do I see a way for next year's team to win 18-20 games? Probably.

Would I predict them to do so at this point without TY? Doubtful.

non con needs to be easy next year

 

[SoonerSpock]

Back when you could get quality guys from juco, this wouldn't be such a concerning situation. Now it's going to be tough. The 5-star experiment didn't really work out. Now, with all but 2 players (right now) coming back, the team is just going to have to be what they are. If anyone transfers out, it will be too late to go find a replacement, so I don't think you want anyone really transferring out at this point. However, I wouldn't expect some of these guys to suddenly become much better next season. That being said, a defense first mentatlity might help them win some games that they lost this season. Forget trying to outgun everyone. Play defense and rebound and keep yourselves in games. Without Trae, there won't be a guy that can be a threat to score 20 or more every night. James, McGusty, Doolittle and Manek can all score 20 on given nights, but not consistently, so keep the scores in the 60s and low 70s as much as possible. As much as I love the run and gun, maybe it's time to return to a more Kelvin-esque brand of basketball. Kelvin had more successful teams with less talent than this one. I don't see any other way to even win 18 games next year. As poorly as this team has played defense and rebounded, there is probably no way they can keep up with other teams next year otherwise.

Texas Tech showed us this year what can be done with a defense first mentality. They allowed only 64.5 p/g while scoring 75.7. They were 23-8 on the season and 11-7 in the conference. But more than defense what this team needs is effort. They do not know how to stretch themselves. When the going gets tough they fold their tents.

 

[BCSooners]

I think OU can have a solid year if they get a graduate transfer at point & McGusty & Doolittle get back to form after sophomore slumps.

 

[psk2080]

Definitely need either a grad transfer point guard or a quality juco point guard (do those exist anymore?). And that PG needs to be a pass first, Quannas White type of PG. Not QW level quality necessarily, but someone that can dish and can score when needed. This team also needs a grad transfer big man in a big way. This team needs a low post presence on the offensive end. Not another stretch 4. An actual 4. But who knows if any of those types will be available. This team needs some mature leadership and talent for next season.

 

[mict085]

If they get some leadership and develop some team chemistry, they could be better. If they become a team that plays together and gives 100% effort, they will be better. If they play with the kind of effort we saw for the last month, they won’t win 10 games.

 

[vbdad]

They are desperate for leadership. I'm not sure they have anybody who will take on that role. Rashard would be the most likely from the outside. Khadeem didn't supply it. Trae didn't do it.
They have to play better defense.

Also Norman North improved with less talent so we may stay around the same amount of wins.

 

[chuckb]

They are desperate for leadership. I'm not sure they have anybody who will take on that role. Rashard would be the most likely from the outside. Khadeem didn't supply it. Trae didn't do it.
They have to play better defense.

Also Norman North improved with less talent so we may stay around the same amount of wins.

I could see James stepping up also. He and Odomes, to me, clearly have to be the guys and I think they have the ability to do it.

 

[sperry]

Definitely need either a grad transfer point guard or a quality juco point guard (do those exist anymore?). And that PG needs to be a pass first, Quannas White type of PG. Not QW level quality necessarily, but someone that can dish and can score when needed. This team also needs a grad transfer big man in a big way. This team needs a low post presence on the offensive end. Not another stretch 4. An actual 4. But who knows if any of those types will be available. This team needs some mature leadership and talent for next season.

They need a PG who can score in bunches. There just isn't enough offense on this roster outside Trae.

 

[Capel's Mustache]

They are desperate for leadership. I'm not sure they have anybody who will take on that role. Rashard would be the most likely from the outside. Khadeem didn't supply it. Trae didn't do it.
They have to play better defense.

Also Norman North improved with less talent so we may stay around the same amount of wins.

Vbdad - what are you hearing about what went wrong with this team? I mean chemistry wise, coaching, etc.

 

[AdaSooner]

Definitely need either a grad transfer point guard or a quality juco point guard (do those exist anymore?). And that PG needs to be a pass first, Quannas White type of PG. Not QW level quality necessarily, but someone that can dish and can score when needed. This team also needs a grad transfer big man in a big way. This team needs a low post presence on the offensive end. Not another stretch 4. An actual 4. But who knows if any of those types will be available. This team needs some mature leadership and talent for next season.

A grad transfer for one season only would be ideal. I doubt if the staff will go the juco route and take the chance of creating a problem with our 2019 commit, De’Vion Harmon. Harmon is the real deal, so it’s not that he would be concerned about the competition. He will be the starter from day one. We just don’t need three point guards on our roster in 2019.

 

[sperry]

A grad transfer for one season only would be ideal. I doubt if the staff will go the juco route and take the chance of creating a problem with our 2019 commit, De’Vion Harmon. Harmon is the real deal, so it’s not that he would be concerned about the competition. He will be the starter from day one. We just don’t need three point guards on our roster in 2019.

There is nothing that says you can't play two point guards at the same time. In fact, plenty of really good offenses in college and pro do exactly that. We need as many quality guards on our roster as possible.

 

[AdaSooner]

There is nothing that says you can't play two point guards at the same time. In fact, plenty of really good offenses in college and pro do exactly that. We need as many quality guards on our roster as possible.

I didn’t say you couldn’t play two PGs at the same time (Shepherd and Young, for example). I said a grad transfer for one season would be ideal. Obviously, you take the best player available to fill a need.

 

[slappy in OP]

I don't recall being more pessimistic about a team than next years. I truly hope I am wrong, but the "rot" in this team has to be way more than just Trae Young jealousy. Last place is going to hurt if it happens. Will be an incredibly poor 3 year run after the heights of Buddy and crew.

 

[SoonerSpock]

A grad transfer for one season only would be ideal. I doubt if the staff will go the juco route and take the chance of creating a problem with our 2019 commit, De’Vion Harmon. Harmon is the real deal, so it’s not that he would be concerned about the competition. He will be the starter from day one. We just don’t need three point guards on our roster in 2019.

Harmon isn't signed yet (11-14-18) and the environment this program is showing might be a strong incentive for Harmon to look elsewhere.