This thread got me thinking about what we really need out of this class, and what are reasonable expectations.
As the roster stands right now, and assuming Cole gets a scholarship in 2013-2014 (and we don't sign anybody else in 2012 to fill Newell's spot), we'll have 6 additional scholarships available for the 2013 class. It might be smart to save one of them (to help break the classes up going forward), but I think it's safe to say we'll be after a minimum of 5 players in this class.
Here is what we'll return for that season:
Guards:
Hield - So
Hornbeak - So
Clark - Sr
Posts:
Neal - Sr
Henry - So
Cole - So
M'Baye - Sr
It appears to me that we'll need a pretty even distribution of guards and posts in this class.
It is obvious that the staff is making Woodard and Parker a priority, and from what I know of these two players, I agree with that decision. These two guys are buddies, they are local, and they are good kids. While Woodard doesn't have the pure scorer's mentality that a guy like Stevie Clark has, I prefer Woodard's game and size. Parker is another kid that can score it multiple ways, and again, has size. These are the two "must haves" in this class, in my opinion.
Another Oklahoma kid that is "close" to Woodard and Parker is Shaq Morris. I haven't seen him play, and have seen his height listed as everything from 6'5 to 6'8, but I think he'd be a good fit. He is likely a kid that could use a year to mature before being expected to contribute anything meaningful. And with what OU returns, and hopefully signs in addition to Morris, that would be possible.
So those are the three Oklahoma kids I'd like to land. Woodard, Parker, and Morris.
As much as I'd like to land Randle, and I do think we have a chance, I'm trying to keep my list of preferences as realistic as possible. As such, I won't include him on my list.
I really like a kid out of Texas named Dominic Woodson. 6'9, 265 pounds, out of Round Rock. I worry that his game is too close to Morris for OU to take both of them though. So I guess I'd like one of Woodson/Morris. Treshawn Bolden is a kid mentioned in Sam's article. I think he really fits what LK wants out of his posts, and he has us high on his list.
Where does that leave us? With six scholarships available, here is who I'd like to grab:
1. Jordan Woodard - PG
2. Juwan Parker - 2/3
3. Treshawn Bolden - 4/5 (more of a 4, probably)
4. Morris/Woodson - 4/5 (both are probably 5's)
If we get those 4, I almost don't care who we sign for the last spot or two. I'd even be okay offering bigabd a scholarship. Depending on how the staff views Hornbeak, we may need another option at point guard. We could go sign a JUCO which would allow us to bring Woodard along slowly, or we could grab a kid like Stevie Clark, or Kendall Harris. Always tough to land multiple true pg's in the same class though. We might also be in need of another big that can play immediately. A lot will depend on what, if anything, Cole can offer us, and how college-ready LK thinks the above guys are.
No new information in this post, but I wanted to lay out what our situation might look like for the 2013 season/class. If Hornbeak is going to play point guard, we might not have much of a drop off at all, as both he and Hield will likely get experience next year. We could open 2013 with Hornbeak at the point, Hield at the 2, Cam at the 3, and M'Baye at one of the post spots. That would leave Henry/Neal/Cole and any newcomers fighting for the other post spot.
I really like the direction the program appears to be headed. LK seems to know that you can't just stick a bunch of talent on the floor, but that you have to build a complete team. I also took that approach in picking my preferences above. Landing Randle would be awesome, but I didn't want to count on that happening. I think OU has a really good shot at everybody listed above, especially the Oklahoma boys.
