Team seems confident

[chiron]

link for source tweet

 

[dahldennsull]

'Like'

 

[AdaSooner]

IMO, this team has plenty of reasons to be confident. I agree with Spangler, they're going to be good. If Thomas gets his waiver, my expectations will be even higher.

Last year's team surprised a lot of people. I think we'll see a repeat of that this year.

 

[MNsooner]

We should be really good. If Thomas is eligible then the sky is the limit. If a few of our players take another jump and improve we'll be as good as anyone in the conference.

 

[hoopsaustin]

i really want Thomas to play this year to clear up some playing minutes for the young bigs in the future

 

[ouleopard]

Khadeem and Thomas will make this team so much better. Lattin will be
a pro before he leaves.

 

[j2d2]

Who is Glo_10?

 

[chiron]

Who is Glo_10?

Woodard

 

[usedtobe1]

I hope Thomas gets his waiver approved because (1) I'm impatient and want immediate front court help to help our biggest weakness next year, and (2) it would be a really crowded front court in 2015-2016 with Spangler, Thomas, Manyang, Lattin, and McNeace ....... not enough minutes to keep 5 quality big guys happy (plus Buford if he has to play the 4).

It sounds like Lattin might contribute a lot this season from Gary's practice reports. He could push Bennett for backup minutes if Thomas gets his waiver approved.

 

[ouleopard]

Lattin will defintely play a lot this year. YoYo just hast to put some
good weight on him. Preferably 10 to 15 lbs.

 

[DenverSooner]

10-15 lbs is a lot of weight for an 18 year old in 4-5 months. Once the season starts with all the cardio from practice it will be very difficult to add muscle mass. The one positive is he is a really big guy so 10-15 lbs on his frame is not the same thing as 10-15 lbs on a 5'11" guy.

 

[KBaden145]

He's a fairly rangy kid. Where McNeace is a little more slight in his build, Lattin (and Buford for that matter) will really be able to add good muscle and bulk. McNeace is always going to be fairly slender even as he matures, IMHO. If early reviews are an indication, Buford might not be adding as much as once thought. Would love to see him develop as a big wing.


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[JBaker]

Lattin will be
a pro before he leaves.

I hope not... We don't need another NCAA investigation.

 

[AdaSooner]

He's a fairly rangy kid. Where McNeace is a little more slight in his build, Lattin (and Buford for that matter) will really be able to add good muscle and bulk. McNeace is always going to be fairly slender even as he matures, IMHO. If early reviews are an indication, Buford might not be adding as much as once thought. Would love to see him develop as a big wing.

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Buford was at the wing in every practice report Gary has made so far. That's where the coaches told him he would play when he was recruited. He may not stay there, but it's good to know the coaches are true to their word.

 

[WTSooner]

Buford was at the wing in every practice report Gary has made so far. That's where the coaches told him he would play when he was recruited. He may not stay there, but it's good to know the coaches are true to their word.

I know we differ a bit on this, but LK could play Buford at the 4, and still give him on the perimeter time he wants to keep him happy. Cam played exclusively on the wing last year, from the 4 spot.

As far as where they practice, I think it's easier to get the kids "guard minutes/reps" if you put them at the 3, then it is with the bigs. Cam was always with the guards last year too, and like I said, he played the 4 all season.

THAT said, I think landing Thomas has possibly free'd up Buford to get more minutes at the 3, sooner than expected. Before Thomas, I figured Buford would start the 4 for two years, then when Buddy left, he'd get a crack at the 3 if his game had progressed. We'll just have to see who all is eligible this year, and where the roster numbers dictates he plays. But I've never understood the argument that because LK said Buford could play outside or on the perimeter, that he has to do that from the 3 spot.

 

[AdaSooner]

I know we differ a bit on this, but LK could play Buford at the 4, and still give him on the perimeter time he wants to keep him happy. Cam played exclusively on the wing last year, from the 4 spot.

As far as where they practice, I think it's easier to get the kids "guard minutes/reps" if you put them at the 3, then it is with the bigs. Cam was always with the guards last year too, and like I said, he played the 4 all season.

THAT said, I think landing Thomas has possibly free'd up Buford to get more minutes at the 3, sooner than expected. Before Thomas, I figured Buford would start the 4 for two years, then when Buddy left, he'd get a crack at the 3 if his game had progressed. We'll just have to see who all is eligible this year, and where the roster numbers dictates he plays. But I've never understood the argument that because LK said Buford could play outside or on the perimeter, that he has to do that from the 3 spot.

We may be closer than you realize. I agree he could be moved to the four in spots, or even on a permanent basis. That's why I said "he may not stay there" (meaning at the three). Cousins is an example of a player who was promised a chance to play a different position than he's playing now. We know how that turned out.

All I'm saying is that our coaches brought Buford in with the understanding that he would be given the opportunity to play the wing. It really doesn't matter if he is in the game as a three or as a four. I think he's versatile enough that he could swing both ways, much like Cam did the last two years. A lot will depend on his ability to hit perimeter shots and drive with the ball when a defender comes out to guard him. More importantly, he will have to prove he can defend from that position.

 

[garyeb2]

Kruger has said repeatedly that we need to get bigger, more balanced on offense, and defend better this season. Taking him at his word has always been the best clue as to how things will go.

He may go with a lineup of Woodard, Buddy, Cousins, Buford, and Spangler. If he does, it is because nothing else worked. He will get the team bigger if he can.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Gary, you see these guys in person so is it you opinion that Buford will start ahead of Frank Booker? Booker is potentially instant offense as a 6th man off the bench but he plays solid defense, rebounds good for his size and has a year of experience. He gets a little shoot happy at times but that probably will be less an issue in the coming season.

If Buford is better than happy days. But is he?

 

[furge]

Gary, you see these guys in person so is it you opinion that Buford will start ahead of Frank Booker? Booker is potentially instant offense as a 6th man off the bench but he plays solid defense, rebounds good for his size and has a year of experience. He gets a little shoot happy at times but that probably will be less an issue in the coming season.

If Buford is better than happy days. But is he?

Just spitballing, but I'd go with match-ups here.

Three-guard or four-guard offense, Booker gets a look and his minutes vary based on how his stroke looks. Big sets, you gotta throw Buford in there and body up a wing.

If Buford laps Booker on the depth chart, "how you say... embarrassment of riches?"

 

[CoachTalk]

Buford over booker anyday.

LK wants to be bigger! Not 4 guards and a 6'8