Spangler and Bookout

[BigTime]

I haven't seen Spangler play, but a buddy of mine has seen him play several times and he said the kid reminded him of Taylor Griffin (plus about 1 inch).

I haven't seen CJ Cole play, but their bios read almost alike. If anyone has seen both play, maybe you could chime in and let us know how they compare.

Just reading on line, it sure appears the Gonzaga folks liked him and saw good things for him in the future. So, that is maybe a good sign.

I'm pretty pumped about Bennett. His stats are underwhelming to say the least, but we absolutely nobody that could defend the rim couple of years. This kid sounds like someone that can do that. If you don't think that is important, see Kentucky. The Davis kid made them a championship level defensive team. Not comparing Bennett to Davis of course, just saying it is awfully important to have a big with length to defend in the post and misdirect shots around the rim. I would think we have enough offense to play a defensive 5 player.

It will be fun to see these kids after an off season with the team. Just the fact that we have so many new kids to watch, will make next year fun.

Hadn't thought about Taylor G. That may be a pretty good comparison.

 

[bgrch1350]

I'm pretty pumped about Bennett. His stats are underwhelming to say the least, but we absolutely nobody that could defend the rim couple of years. This kid sounds like someone that can do that. If you don't think that is important, see Kentucky. The Davis kid made them a championship level defensive team. Not comparing Bennett to Davis of course, just saying it is awfully important to have a big with length to defend in the post and misdirect shots around the rim. I would think we have enough offense to play a defensive 5 player.

Jurick added defense and rebounding and no points and look where that got OSU. I think Arent will get more playing time next season than Bennett.

 

[cvangild]

I'll take that bet. Aren't has ZERO athletic ability. He is simply tall with a little meat on the bones.

I think D.J. will basically fill CJ Washington's role, except be much more of a shot blocking presence (rebounding is probably a wash).

 

[perryj74]

No offense to Arent, but you don't sign a JUCO post player unless you know he is already better than Casey.

 

[hoopsaustin]

if arent plays any minutes outside of blowouts (hopefully the other team's) or severe foul trouble, we are in trouble cuz he is not good.

 

[garyeb2]

I hope that Bennett comes in and makes a big splash. And mayby he will. But, it may be premature to dismss Arent as a contributor.

 

[vbdad]

Anyone who saw Ryan Minor play shortstop in high school, in particular, legion ball, would laugh at any comparison to athleticism and smoothness (body control) between Minor and Spangler

I didn't see Ryan play in high school. I did see him pitch play third and first for OU many times. I also saw all of his home basketball games. He is a tremendous athlete and I thought he wasted time with basketball. Also thought he should have pitched instead of playing a position in the bigs. Most major league scouting reports agreed but he wanted to play everyday. He made a nice living with baseball.
That said he was a smooth athlete. He and Spangler jump about the same. Neither one is exceptionally quick and their body sizes are very close. I have watched Spangler play against an NBA guy and a bunch of normal guys. He has a decent long range shot and he drives the ball to the bucket. I don't know that he will be able to do that in the Big 12 but he isn't just a low post defender and rebounder.

If you read my post I don't say he will be as good but he reminds me of him. Johnnie Gilbert was a solid defender and rebounder. He never had any offensive game.

 

[vbdad]

Here are some stats for my argument.

Ryan Minor stats as a freshman 4.7 pts 2.7 rebounds and 13.8 minutes per game.

Spangler 2.5 pts and 2.4 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game.

Minor played more but the stats are nearly identical per minute. Also Gonzaga made it too the NCAA tourney while OU was in the NIT that year. OU also averaged 89 points a game which I'm sure Gonzaga didn't do this year.

Shooting percentage Spangler 56% vs. Minor at 43%. I assume this is because Spangler played in the post more for Gonzaga.

I will be happy if Spangler has half the career Minor had at OU but I won't back off my comparison.

 

[Darwin]

Bookout didn't get any better.
Gilbert erupted as a senior and became not good, which was an improvement.
Longar was a nice player as a senior and nothing his 1st 2 years.
Taj got worse as a senior.
Avila was getting better.

So will Spangler get better, if so he could be a nice player but how could we know either way with bigs. He wants to be a Sooner, that makes me a fan.

 

[DenverSooner]

if arent plays any minutes outside of blowouts (hopefully the other team's) or severe foul trouble, we are in trouble cuz he is not good.

I agree. Arent is not going to play much. Fitzgerald, Osby and M'Baye are all going to play lots of minutes. There are not going to be many minutes for Bennet or Arent. I hope Bennet gets the available minutes.

 

[rickjames]

I agree. Arent is not going to play much. Fitzgerald, Osby and M'Baye are all going to play lots of minutes. There are not going to be many minutes for Bennet or Arent. I hope Bennet gets the available minutes.

Bennett is a very athletic shotblocker and rebounder..we need that desperately on D..he will play a ton IMO, we can't rely on Air Fitzgerald to do that stuff for us.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Bennett is a very athletic shotblocker and rebounder..we need that desperately on D..he will play a ton IMO, we can't rely on Air Fitzgerald to do that stuff for us.

there is no chance the Bennett plays a ton

 

[WTSooner]

there is no chance the Bennett plays a ton

:clap

 

[rickjames]

there is no chance the Bennett plays a ton

Why the f*ck would Kruger bring in another post player to ride pine like Arent? I doubt that.

 

[WTSooner]

Why the f*ck would Kruger bring in another post player to ride pine like Arent? I doubt that.

What part of depth does the "why would Kruger bring in a bench player" group not understand?!? You have to have bodies. We will play 5 posts this year, 4 in most every game. What if we lose Fitz or Osby to injury? You have to have enough bodies.

Osby, Fitz, and M'Baye are going to get most of the post minutes. Bennett will get about what Washington got. Arent is likely Honore's replacement.

 

[DenverSooner]

Why the f*ck would Kruger bring in another post player to ride pine like Arent? I doubt that.

Because he needs someone for 2013/14. OU has a solid post rotation of Osby, M'Baye and Fitzgerald. Andrew Fitzgerald was an honorable mention all Big XII player as a sophomore and averaged 12.1 points per game last season shooting 47% from the field. He also shot well from the free throw line. Additionally, he has 3 years of Big XII experience. I think he is going to play significant minutes next season.

 

[soonerfud]

I mentioned in another post, and I've seen Ryan play several times, that I think the best comparison that I can think of is Mike Maddox. That may date some of you guys, but he was the player of the year in Oklahoma at one of the Putnam City schools(I think), and went on to be a really good player at Kansas. Never a star, but a really solid player for them. He and Ryan are very similar in their games and mentality.

 

[vbdad]

I mentioned in another post, and I've seen Ryan play several times, that I think the best comparison that I can think of is Mike Maddox. That may date some of you guys, but he was the player of the year in Oklahoma at one of the Putnam City schools(I think), and went on to be a really good player at Kansas. Never a star, but a really solid player for them. He and Ryan are very similar in their games and mentality.

Maddox is a valid comparison. Didn't he play on the 88 KU team that beat us. He was a great high school player and very good at KU. OU lost out on the bwo best recruits in state that year. Maddox and Dumas were highly recruited and of course Dumas was off the charts athletically.

 

[soonerfud]

I don't think he was still playing in 88. I think he may have graduated the year before, but I could be mistaken, as I've slept alot since then. LOL

 

[DenverSooner]

I don't think he was still playing in 88. I think he may have graduated the year before, but I could be mistaken, as I've slept alot since then. LOL

I found something on the internet saying he played at KU from 87/88 through 90/91. That is consistent with my memory and Maddox being a couple of years younger than me. I think people are correct saying he went to one of the PC schools.

Pritchard was another Oklahoma kid from that era that went to KU. I think Pritchard was a year or so older than Maddox. I am pretty sure Kevin Pritchard graduated high school in 1986 because he was good friends with some guys in my fraternity that were one year younger than me. If I recall correctly, Pritchard and those guys all went to Tulsa Edison.