******Soonersports: Men's Basketball Signs Three******

[AdaSooner]

Willie warren and blake were both 1 and done guys .. that both stayed 2 years .. it worked out for blake it didn't for willie

Very true. Willie should have stayed for one more year, maybe two.

Having said that, I struggle with a desire to see another program-changer, one and done caliber player at OU, and wanting to see every player we bring in stay four years. I recognize the value of signing a player good enough to carry his team to a championship the way Carmello did at Syracuse. I also know that the best way to build a sound, winning program at a school like OU, is to fill the roster with the best players you can sign at every position, while always looking and hoping for a player as good as Blake and WW.

 

[garyeb2]

True. But some could argue that Spangler is athletic. And I think he is, just not "as athletic" as the staff wants/prefers for that spot.

We'll know in a year.

I'm trying to agree with your post.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Amazing how far we have come in 4 years isn't it?

:clap :krugs

 

[dubyac]

This signing class screams athletic combos like UNLV & SDSU of the past several years.. those teams are scary to play. Cuz when they hit shots they are really tough to beat.. very positive direction...

 

[Max Power]

Very true. Willie should have stayed for one more year, maybe two.

Having said that, I struggle with a desire to see another program-changer, one and done caliber player at OU, and wanting to see every player we bring in stay four years. I recognize the value of signing a player good enough to carry his team to a championship the way Carmello did at Syracuse. I also know that the best way to build a sound, winning program at a school like OU, is to fill the roster with the best players you can sign at every position, while always looking and hoping for a player as good as Blake and WW.

Willie should have been one and done, his stock was never going to be higher.

 

[WTSooner]

I'm trying to agree with your post.

I know. I was trying to acknowledge you agreeing with my post, while just pointing out that some might say Spangler is athletic too, though like you said, I don't think that is what Crutch was saying.

Thanks for the info. I like having an athletic 4 in today's game.

 

[scrybe]

Willie warren and blake were both 1 and done guys .. that both stayed 2 years .. it worked out for blake it didn't for willie

If we're talking about one and done-CALIBER players who stay for two years or more, count me in. I guess the perfect scenario would be for all of our recruits to be one-and-done caliber guys who stick around for four years.

 

[AdaSooner]

Willie should have been one and done, his stock was never going to be higher.

With the advantage of hindsight, I agree with you. Willie would have been wise to jump to the league after his freshman season.

That changed when he opted for a second season that was marred by nagging injuries, not to mention an inability to find a happy medium with TMG and Tiny. For the record, I don't blame WW for that. TMG and Tiny should have spent most of that season on the bench for the problems they caused.

I'll add a footnote to that story: I'm extremely grateful that Lon Kruger brings in high-character kids who want to be at OU for all of the right reasons.

 

[skyvue]

I'm extremely grateful that Lon Kruger brings in high-character kids who want to be at OU for all of the right reasons.

That is my favorite thing about LK. That bunch of inmates who were running the asylum under Capel eradicated the last bit of patience I had for borderline character guys. I'm a zero-tolerance guy now. Go with character first, I say, then we can talk talent and athleticism.

 

[MNsooner]

That is my favorite thing about LK. That bunch of inmates who were running the asylum under Capel eradicated the last bit of patience I had for borderline character guys. I'm a zero-tolerance guy now. Go with character first, I say, then we can talk talent and athleticism.

I think if you have solid character guys, a strong coach, and a clear structure you can take a chance on one or two borderline cases. It because clear that it needed to be the exception not the rule though.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Depends how the marginal cases manifests itself. If it affects play on the court as with TMG then it is a chance not to be taken. If it is off court issues then it may be worth the risk.

When I was coaching high school I had a good athlete who was talented but all for himself and very disruptive. After a year of trying to get him in line both the head football coach and I dropped him from our teams. The baseball coach kept him.

Bottom line our basketball and football teams were top 5 ranked in the state that year. The baseball team had a way below par season even though they had good talent. It really is amazing how a poor character player can disrupt and destroy the morale of the team.

 

[DenverSooner]

I think if you have solid character guys, a strong coach, and a clear structure you can take a chance on one or two borderline cases. It because clear that it needed to be the exception not the rule though.

The coach has to be so strong that he will bench his best player and take loss before letting the players run the program. It is a scary thing and I am not saying I could do it. However, had Capel benched TMG, TINY, WW, and Crocker over their attitudes and suffered a loss to a low level team, he would have sent a clear message and might still be a head coach.

 

[sybarite]

We got David "Big Daddy" Lattin's grandson!!!!!

I'll never forget that game or how effective he was.

 

[TheGimper]

The coach has to be so strong that he will bench his best player and take loss before letting the players run the program. It is a scary thing and I am not saying I could do it. However, had Capel benched TMG, TINY, WW, and Crocker over their attitudes and suffered a loss to a low level team, he would have sent a clear message and might still be a head coach.

Wait, now Crocker is a part of the negative bunch too? I always thought Willie got a bad rap, but this is getting absurd.

The unabashed Capel bashers are just as bad if not worse than the unabashed supporters.

 

[slappy in OP]

Back on topic.......

I am very excited to see the way our team is shaping up for the future. Very happy that these 3 young men decided to be part of the Sooner family! :OUbball-logo:

 

[usedtobe1]

Does anyone know what Willie is doing now? Is he still playing overseas? I know he signed that one contract with the Clips but was gone after a year.

Never mind. I found this:

Former Clippers guard Willie Warren has signed with the Hungarian team Szolnoki Olaj.
Warren played in Israel last year, averaging 16.1 points and 4.2 assists per game, and it's likely that he'll spend the rest of his playing days overseas. Aug 3 - 7:27 PM
Source: Sportando

 

[DenverSooner]

Wait, now Crocker is a part of the negative bunch too? I always thought Willie got a bad rap, but this is getting absurd.

The unabashed Capel bashers are just as bad if not worse than the unabashed supporters.

Crocker skipped summer workouts. He was supposed to be the leader but he allowed WW and TMG to be the leaders or was a negative leader. So yes Crocker was a part of the negative bunch to some degree.

Edit - I learned that crocker skipped summer workouts on this message board.

 

[jerry]

Crocker skipped summer workouts. He was supposed to be the leader but he allowed WW and TMG to be the leaders or was a negative leader. So yes Crocker was a part of the negative bunch to some degree.

The problem with that group was that the head coach was not a leader.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Back on topic: My favorite part of the linked article is this ...

"All three are really quality people who want to be Sooners," said third-year OU head coach Lon Kruger. "They want to be here, they’re good students, rangy athletes and good teammates. They’re all similar with their qualities and they fit perfectly in terms of what we’re looking for."

They want to be here
Good students
Rangy Athletes
Good teammates
They are what we are looking for

In one short paragraph, Coach Kruger told us a lot. The outlook for the future continues to improve.

I find it interesting that the first phrase is ... they want to be here.

They are Sooners now. Welcome aboard fellows.

 

[scrybe]

Back on topic: My favorite part of the linked article is this ...



They want to be here
Good students
Rangy Athletes
Good teammates
They are what we are looking for

In one short paragraph, Coach Kruger told us a lot. The outlook for the future continues to improve.

I find it interesting that the first phrase is ... they want to be here.

They are Sooners now. Welcome aboard fellows.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Traveler. I believe Kruger feels like he hit the jackpot with these three kids and believes that his (and his assistants') efforts in signing them will start paying huge dividends almost immediately.