Start working Buford on the low block now!

[SoonerBred]

Lattin is a good defender but does not have a physical enough style to bang down low on Offense. We miss Tayshawn a lot and we need another big that can bang and score. Buford is the only one. This is the only way we will draw the Defense away from our shooters. Until we can do this teams will just smother our shooters and we will be forced to take open looks from 30 feet out.

 

[tmeyer3307]

Agree and I would like to see Spangler work more down low too.. Buford is getting better and better with the ball in his hands.. Just hope he can hit a shot or two every night.

Lattin just is not ready to be a scorer yet..

 

[WTSooner]

Buford isn't every going to be that kind of 4. He is a stretch 4. Think Cam. I don't think he is the answer you are looking for.

 

[SoonerBred]

Buford isn't every going to be that kind of 4. He is a stretch 4. Think Cam. I don't think he is the answer you are looking for.

He is the closest thing we have due to his physical style, I don't care if he faces up and shoots or just draws a foul. Just having him attack the rim will help if they go man on us.

 

[OklahomaLibertarian]

I agree. The bigs gotta do something if this team wants to win a title.

 

[schoonerdriver]

AK has the most potential as an on the block scorer and he can't get on the floor.

 

[outest]

AK has the most potential as an on the block scorer and he can't get on the floor.

Agree with this. AK is plenty physical enough to bang down low. Just need to give a chance to develop.

 

[TheMont]

I agree that Buford is more of a stretch 4 like Cam as opposed to a tradional back-to-the-basket player. Regardless, he is currently our best offense post threat off the bench and it's not even close. Pretty baffling that McNeace was the first big off the bench the past 2 games

 

[WTSooner]

I agree that Buford is more of a stretch 4 like Cam as opposed to a tradional back-to-the-basket player. Regardless, he is currently our best offense post threat off the bench and it's not even close. Pretty baffling that McNeace was the first big off the bench the past 2 games

It depends who is coming out. They are trying to limit Spangler's minutes at the 5. Actually, not sure he has played the 5 much this year at all.

If Spangler is coming out, Buford goes in.
If Lattin is coming out, McNeace or Manyang usually come in.

Only in the rarest of situations has Buford come in for Lattin, and slid Spangler to the 5. And against KU isn't really a good team to do that against. Spangler has no business trying to defend and block out a guy like Lucas.

 

[TheMont]

For the final crucial minutes against Texas on Monday, Spangler and Buford played together, and Texas is also a very big team.

 

[WTSooner]

For the final crucial minutes against Texas on Monday, Spangler and Buford played together, and Texas is also a very big team.

For a very specific reason.

 

[SoonerSpock]

I agree. The bigs gotta do something if this team wants to win a title.

Scoring 12 points in the paint after averaging better than 30 for the season and getting 36 in Lawrence will not get it done. Also we are shot only 32% BTA the last 3 games and 31% today.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I thought Lon made a mistake not going with Buford earlier today than he did. The kid brings athleticism and can get to the basket or hit the jumper. I know he didn't play as much today due to height and the mismatches KU presents with all their bigs.

 

[soonerjunky]

To be honest, the best offensive post player we have is AK. He is also 7' which will help. At this point I'd start AK at the 5 and Spangler at the 4. Lattin off the bench at the 4.

 

[chuckb]

To be honest, the best offensive post player we have is AK. He is also 7' which will help. At this point I'd start AK at the 5 and Spangler at the 4. Lattin off the bench at the 4.

At this point, there is no way AK should be getting any minutes at the expense of Spangler, Buford, or Lattin. You want someone who can score with his back to the basket just so we can say we have someone who scores with his back to the basket. You're ignoring all the things he doesn't do well, or that the other 3 do better than him. AK should be getting maybe 3-5 minutes per game, at most. I, too, was hoping for more from him but he's shown that he's just not at the level of the other 3. I can't even see him starting next year.

 

[soonerjunky]

At this point, there is no way AK should be getting any minutes at the expense of Spangler, Buford, or Lattin. You want someone who can score with his back to the basket just so we can say we have someone who scores with his back to the basket. You're ignoring all the things he doesn't do well, or that the other 3 do better than him. AK should be getting maybe 3-5 minutes per game, at most. I, too, was hoping for more from him but he's shown that he's just not at the level of the other 3. I can't even see him starting next year.

Our bigs can't score in the post. None of them can unless it's a put back. Our bigs except Spangler can't rebound. They are too small to box out, can't defend the basket. This is a big guy problem. So might as well go with the biggest guy on the team. Tell Lattin to put in 20 pounds by next season

 

[WTSooner]

Our bigs can't score in the post. None of them can unless it's a put back. Our bigs except Spangler can't rebound. They are too small to box out, can't defend the basket. This is a big guy problem. So might as well go with the biggest guy on the team. Tell Lattin to put in 20 pounds by next season

That is a MAJOR oversimplification of our inside problems.

Manyang is worse off overall than what we currently have. And I watched him miss A LOT of post move shots in the lane earlier this season, against much less talented bigs than we play now.

Being big does not always mean being better than somebody smaller.

And for the record, FG%'s for OU bigs:

Lattin - 58%
Spangler - 55%
Manyang - 48%

Big 12 bigs would eat Manyang alive.

 

[soonerjunky]

That is a MAJOR oversimplification of our inside problems.

Manyang is worse off overall than what we currently have. And I watched him miss A LOT of post move shots in the lane earlier this season, against much less talented bigs than we play now.

Being big does not always mean being better than somebody smaller.

And for the record, FG%'s for OU bigs:

Lattin - 58%
Spangler - 55%
Manyang - 48%

Big 12 bigs would eat Manyang alive.

You're probably right about the big 12 eating AK. It is just a little upsetting when I see this team so close. They are so good, just need a little bit of help. I did state a few weeks ago that any team in the ncaa tournament can beat OU of they go cold. You and others told me I was crazy.

 

[WTSooner]

I did state a few weeks ago that any team in the ncaa tournament can beat OU of they go cold. You and others told me I was crazy.

I doubt you can find anywhere that I said that, b/c I've been saying the same thing. This team has had holes all season that were covered up by record setting three point shooting. We're seeing our real team now, with shooting more in line with reality.

 

[CoachTalk]

Buford isn't going to be a back to the basket player. Basketball knowledge is limited after losses.