Steven Pledger

[AdaSooner]

Pledger is a much better player this year. His defense is vastly improved, and so is his shot selection. Twenty six points on 10-15 shooting from the field (4 of 8 from three) to go with 7 rebounds is one heck of a game! I really like what I have seen out of him so far.

 

[ben]

If that spin-move shot would have gone in...Pledger seems to be the man this year.

 

[LoveDemSooners]

When did he get a post game? haha love what I'm seeing from him this year!

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Pledger is a much better player this year. His defense is vastly improved, and so is his shot selection. Twenty six points on 10-15 shooting from the field (4 of 8 from three) to go with 7 rebounds is one heck of a game! I really like what I have seen out of him so far.

It helps a ton to have 1) A pg and other guards who can get you open looks, 2) other scoring options on the floor, 3) Confidence in what your coach/team is doing offensively, and 4) One more yr of development/experience. I believe the best is yet to come.

I always knew the kid could flat out shoot it, and I never thought he was as bad defensively as some did last yr. many times he was guarding guys he could not match up with. LK will put them in the best position to succeed, and that means he understands match ups, and who each guy should be guarding....

 

[AdaSooner]

It helps a ton to have 1) A pg and other guards who can get you open looks, 2) other scoring options on the floor, 3) Confidence in what your coach/team is doing offensively, and 4) One more yr of development/experience. I believe the best is yet to come.

I always knew the kid could flat out shoot it, and I never thought he was as bad defensively as some did last yr. many times he was guarding guys he could not match up with. LK will put them in the best position to succeed, and that means he understands match ups, and who each guy should be guarding....

All good points, jmizzy! I couldn't agree more.

 

[NickZepp]

Now granted we've grown a lot as a team since game one. But we struggled against Idaho State without Pledger and since then we've been a lot better with him. Newell is a decent guard but with Pledger it makes it so much harder to defend when you have 2 guys at any time that can really score consistently.

 

[Big Old Booger]

All great points. I am very surprised with Pledgers improvement. Nice to see.

 

[chicubfn]

We owe it to that one pro-am game...he has been a much better player since then...I kid.

 

[BigTime]

Not a better looking shot in the entire country. I love the post moves that he has added and it is very apparent that he has changed his body and is able to move much better.

Keep it up, Bird!

 

[StatGeek]

Not a better looking shot in the entire country. I love the post moves that he has added and it is very apparent that he has changed his body and is able to move much better.

Keep it up, Bird!

I dont know what he has or hasnt done to his body but athletically he looks the same to me, the difference is his anticipation, IMO.

 

[sdcloud9]

I would have never thought that Pledger would be in the passing lanes, denying the basketball on the wing.

He has improved so much from last year and has confidence in his shooting.

Plus, it never helps to have a Sam Grooms that understands how to get people the basketball in the right position.

 

[Navy2004]

Coach has come in and made it a point to get the ball to him in the right position and his confidence has grown on both ends of the court. It is weird once you put confidence in there heads they become better players and leaders on the court....

 

[BigTime]

I dont know what he has or hasnt done to his body but athletically he looks the same to me, the difference is his anticipation, IMO.

Good point on the anticipation improvement. That has jumped out to me as well.

He looks like he has lost some pudge and put on some muscle. Looks quicker to me up and down the floor (still a step slow laterally). Maybe that's just me though?

 

[jerry]

Pledger is a much better player this year. His defense is vastly improved, and so is his shot selection. Twenty six points on 10-15 shooting from the field (4 of 8 from three) to go with 7 rebounds is one heck of a game! I really like what I have seen out of him so far.

Good coaching coupled with some discipline usually gets the most out of those that can play. It looks like Pledger can play. Hope he continues and has a great year.

 

[BigTime]

Good coaching coupled with some discipline usually gets the most out of those that can play. It looks like Pledger can play. Hope he continues and has a great year.

You can tell the Steve and the rest of the returners really worked to improve over the summer.