Starting 5.

[tmeyer3307]

I prefer Woodard slashing and getting to the basket!!! Shooting a bunch of free throws and hitting a few outside shots. I would love to see him average 17-18 points a game with about 7 assist.

 

[AdaSooner]

I guess you guys didn't read the part that said 'I'm not sure who will be it'. I then listed guys who possibly could play the point but I didn't say any would or would be a starter.

Jordan would seem to me to be the logical choice as the point guard but I've heard that he won't be. Nothing is ever set in stone but they will give other guys the chance to run the point. They prefer Jordan as a wing with ball handling duties.

In view of the success Jordan had last season where he was free to spot up on the perimeter, drive and dish or create his own shot, I don't see why anyone would be surprised to learn our coaches want to repeat that move if they can.

The question, of course, will someone be able to fill Isaiah's shoes to some extent? If that doesn't happen, Jordan will play the point. But, I think it's way too early to assume no one else on our roster is capable of running the offense. I'll be more surprised if no one takes that important step.

 

[Larry72]

I agree with the last 2 posts.
Mcgusty will be given a good chance to be the starting PG. If he is, then Strong or Shepard could replace him and a backup wing could rotate in for Woodard. This rotation would balance height, scoring, and experience.

 

[usedtobe1]

I agree with the last 2 posts.
Mcgusty will be given a good chance to be the starting PG. If he is, then Strong or Shepard could replace him and a backup wing could rotate in for Woodard. This rotation would balance height, scoring, and experience.

Maybe. PG is not an easy position to learn, and McGusty didn't play the position at Katy Seven Lakes HS or his Houston Defenders AAU team (Kam's buddy JJ Caldwell was the PG .... Signed with A&M).

I think PG is the most difficult position to learn and play well. I hope Kam is up to the task. His strength has always been he knows how to score. Not necessarily a great shooter but he can create some shots.

 

[SilliSooner]

At some point in the season the starting 5 will be:

Woodard
James
McGusty
Doolittle
Lattin

I'm willing to bet on it.

 

[Larry72]

At some point in the season the starting 5 will be:

Woodard
James
McGusty
Doolittle
Lattin

I'm willing to bet on it.

I can see your lineup working very effectively.

 

[BigTime]

At some point in the season the starting 5 will be:

Woodard
James
McGusty
Doolittle
Lattin

I'm willing to bet on it.

If Doolittle is good enough as a Frosh to displace Buford and withstand Freeman (who has practice time under his belt) then I think it will be a better season then I am predicting!

 

[WTSooner]

At some point in the season the starting 5 will be:

Woodard
James
McGusty
Doolittle
Lattin

I'm willing to bet on it.

Barring injuries, I'd take that bet.

 

[WTSooner]

I agree with the last 2 posts.
Mcgusty will be given a good chance to be the starting PG. If he is, then Strong or Shepard could replace him and a backup wing could rotate in for Woodard. This rotation would balance height, scoring, and experience.

Disagree on McGusty. He wasn't recruited to be our pg. He was recruited to be exactly what Woodard did for us last year.....a combo guard that plays off the ball.

Strong, Woodard, or Shepherd (I doubt this happens) will start every game at pg for OU this season.

 

[usedtobe1]

If Doolittle is good enough as a Frosh to displace Buford and withstand Freeman (who has practice time under his belt) then I think it will be a better season then I am predicting!

I tend to agree with you. Buford got a lot of valuable playing time last season. I would like to see him a step quicker and his outside shot a little more consistent. He's a very good athlete.

I'm intrigued with Matt Freeman. If OU runs that high/low post offense they ran last season, I would love to see Freeman with some of the perimeter shots that Ryan Spangler passed up. I just don't know what kind of defender and rebounder Matt is.

If Doolittle can beat both of them out, then so be it.

 

[BCSooners]

I tend to agree with you. Buford got a lot of valuable playing time last season. I would like to see him a step quicker and his outside shot a little more consistent. He's a very good athlete.

I'm intrigued with Matt Freeman. If OU runs that high/low post offense they ran last season, I would love to see Freeman with some of the perimeter shots that Ryan Spangler passed up. I just don't know what kind of defender and rebounder Matt is.

If Doolittle can beat both of them out, then so be it.

Based on Freeman's stats, he's a bad rebounder.

 

[AdaSooner]

Based on Freeman's stats, he's a bad rebounder.

I think he's capable of being much better than his stats show when he is told to play more down low instead of spending most of his time on the perimeter. Here's an article from an Adidas Nation's game last summer where he scored 12 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. Keep in mind that was in an all-star game, so it's not like he was the only D-1 prospect on the floor.

Matt is a uniquely talented and versatile player, which is one of the reasons I think he'll help us next season. Watch some of his videos and you'll see that he has already developed a running jump hook with either hand. Most bigs have to be taught to master that shot. AK, for example, left OU with no clue about how to use it to an advantage. McNeace began to show some positive signs with that shot last season. Lattin still needs to add it to his arsenal.

http://www.scout.com/college/basket...42-las-vegas-matt-freeman-stood-out-at-adidas

As a 16 years old, Freeman had 34 points, 14 boards, 2 assists and a block in this Australian State Championship game against Tasmania.

https://vimeo.com/96271365

I may be expecting too much from Matty his freshman season. In part, I'm doing that because I believe he is more mature than most kids his age. Do an online search and you'll see that he has traveled around the world the past two years to compete in all-star games at a variety of levels. Time will tell if I'm right. Wouldn't be the first time if I'm wrong.

 

[DenverSooner]

I have not been on the internet much lately. What happened to the kid that transferred to OU from Ohio State. I think his name was Grandstaff, Texas kid and highly rated coming out of high school.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

At OU, Grandstaff failed to "take care of business" or to "live up to the expectations" for a student-athlete. At last report, he was headed to DePaul.

 

[DenverSooner]

Thank you. I found that thread just after asking the question.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Welcome back!

 

[DenverSooner]

Thanks.

 

[dahldennsull]

I think he's capable of being much better than his stats show when he is told to play more down low instead of spending most of his time on the perimeter. Here's an article from an Adidas Nation's game last summer where he scored 12 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. Keep in mind that was in an all-star game, so it's not like he was the only D-1 prospect on the floor.

Matt is a uniquely talented and versatile player, which is one of the reasons I think he'll help us next season. Watch some of his videos and you'll see that he has already developed a running jump hook with either hand. Most bigs have to be taught to master that shot. AK, for example, left OU with no clue about how to use it to an advantage. McNeace began to show some positive signs with that shot last season. Lattin still needs to add it to his arsenal.

http://www.scout.com/college/basket...42-las-vegas-matt-freeman-stood-out-at-adidas

As a 16 years old, Freeman had 34 points, 14 boards, 2 assists and a block in this Australian State Championship game against Tasmania.

https://vimeo.com/96271365

I may be expecting too much from Matty his freshman season. In part, I'm doing that because I believe he is more mature than most kids his age. Do an online search and you'll see that he has traveled around the world the past two years to compete in all-star games at a variety of levels. Time will tell if I'm right. Wouldn't be the first time if I'm wrong.

I agree, and think Freeman's role on these teams played a key part to his rebounding numbers. For these teams, he was usually the best player, and best scorer. He was needed to move around the perimeter, slash and such, but that only explains his lack of offensive boarding. You would hope he could grab a few more defensive boards, but I imagine he was saving some of his energy with his offensive energy output.

For a team like OU, he will have more talent around him, with more scoring options. His role is going to be drastically different, where he can use his athleticism to expel more energy on the boards than previously. I think rebounding is definitely a skill, reading it off the rim, angle and trajectory, but think you can still improve yourself greatly by focusing on good box outs and giving good energy to chase them down. Hopefully he can do at least that.

 

[vbdad]

Doolittle has the body to play early and probably the skills. His motor will probably be the determinant. At times in high school he wasn't very assertive.

 

[BCSooners]

Doolittle has the body to play early and probably the skills. His motor will probably be the determinant. At times in high school he wasn't very assertive.

Agreed. Good news is Lattin had that stigma out of high school and he's a great energy guy now.