Sooo, Kruger can't recruit big men?

[cwilson]

I don't see it. Granted we haven't landed the next Shaq but we have got some really solid pieces.

Kruger = genius IMO

 

[pnkranger]

too early to say...we thought the same thing of Capel early. Let's see them play.

I will give you that Kruger has a better proven performance and seems to be recruiting to fill gaps much better than Capel, but let's not put too much pressure on Grooms and Arent. These aren't guys with great expectations...just solid role players.

Before anyone argues, this is not a Capel v. Kruger post. I'm just making sure we don't place HUGE expectations on these stop-gap players.

 

[MsProudSooner]

If we can at least make life a little more difficult for our opponent's big men, it will be an improvement over the past 2 years.

 

[lk2183]

too early to say...we thought the same thing of Capel early. Let's see them play.

I will give you that Kruger has a better proven performance and seems to be recruiting to fill gaps much better than Capel, but let's not put too much pressure on Grooms and Arent. These aren't guys with great expectations...just solid role players.

Before anyone argues, this is not a Capel v. Kruger post. I'm just making sure we don't place HUGE expectations on these stop-gap players.

Good post. I touched on this in another thread as well.

Sure it's nice to get Grooms and Arent added to the roster this late in the game, but let's not try and pretend that these are going to be immediate impact type guys. Like pnk said, they are role players/stop gap type guys. I don't want this to be a Capel v Kruger post either, but honestly, how many of you would be as excited about these two if Capel were the one to bring them in?

The change in leadership has altered the mood of fans and that is absolutely great. We need to have that optimism and excitement when it comes to the team/program. But I think some people could be setting themselves up for disappointment by letting that excitement affect their expectations for our new players.

That doesn't mean they are no good or won't become solid contributors in their time here, but it would be foolish and unfair to place unrealistic expectations on these guys before they ever step foot on the floor. I hope they shock the world and lead us to great success, but if they don't I'm not going to act surprised because the odds aren't in their favor.

 

[SoonerinNC]

According to his reputation Kruger is going to expect them to play hard on defense and on the boards. We don't have any idea, old or new players, who will step up to the higher standards.

We will probably be suprised about some who will come on strong like Cade did over the second half of last season.

I doubt that Kruger thinks that Arent or Grooms will be major game changers but I suspect that he feels that both will be helpful pieces where we have been thin.

 

[furge]

Definitely solid gets for the program in Arent and M'Baye. Not sure where this "Kruger can't recruit bigs" talk comes from, though -- didn't he bring Matt Bonner and David Lee to Florida? It seems like Lon Kruger with a fire lit under him is a pretty dangerous recruiter most days.

 

[garyeb2]

i spent the rainy day reading. i thought this was funny. i was looking thru a unlv bb message board. it is like this one. some of the people like something. others don't. while most of the posters were very kind reguarding kruger. one them said that if kruger had been coaching oklahoma when blake was here. that blake would be playing basketball somewhere in europe by now. seems that he thought kruger wold have had blake 20' from the basket screening for a perimeter player like he did all his other big men. i just laughed.

 

[cosmic_sooner]

yea what's funny abt this scenario is what made OU attractive to LK (or the right coach) in the first place.

a large state university with a wealth of history, family and identity to recruit guys to.

UNLV fans did have that gripe regarding LK but it's also UNLV, the Mountain West Conf. and a relatively insignificant team for over a decade. THAT's a tough gig.