Team seems confident

[usedtobe1]

Assuming Thomas plays this season, do we see much of a lineup with Thomas, Spangler, and Buford on the floor at the same time? Would that push Cousins to the bench? I see Buford vs. Cousins more than Buford vs. Booker for 6th man. Maybe that's the match-up decision.

I can see the bigger lineup against Texas or Iowa State. It will tough to match-up against them without a big lineup.

It will be interesting to see how well or how quickly Buford can adjust to playing out on the floor..... facing the basket with the ball and learning to defend in space. That might go a long way in determining how good the Sooners can be next season.

 

[garyeb2]

Assuming Thomas plays this season, do we see much of a lineup with Thomas, Spangler, and Buford on the floor at the same time? Would that push Cousins to the bench? I see Buford vs. Cousins more than Buford vs. Booker for 6th man. Maybe that's the match-up decision.

I can see the bigger lineup against Texas or Iowa State. It will tough to match-up against them without a big lineup.

It will be interesting to see how well or how quickly Buford can adjust to playing out on the floor..... facing the basket with the ball and learning to defend in space. That might go a long way in determining how good the Sooners can be next season.

Playing guess the starting lineup and rotation is fun. To play the game well one needs to assume that Thomas will get his waiver. It might have to go all the way through the appeal process. But, if I were a betting man I would lay 2 to 1 he gets it. He is projected as a late 2nd round choice now. They will run a lot of offense thru him and he won't do anything but move up.

Woodard is better than Walker. So, we have that. Buddy is a 1st team all conference caliber talent and he will likely remove any doubts people have about that. Cousins doesn't have any competition for a starting spot. The coaching staff has believed from the get go that Cousins would develop into a difference maker talent. He probably has by now. Spangler is the toughness/glue guy that every good team needs. That is the group that I would expect to be the first to hit the floor in Nov. And that would be a pretty tough group to beat.

I would expect Booker to be a really fine player and solid contributor going forward. But, there is some chance he never works his way into the starting lineup during his career. Buford is expected to develop into a Buddy level talent. The only variable is time. He is a dandy and will be a lot of help as a freshman. With a skinny big like Lattin, it is hard to project when he will hit his best stride. But, even as a freshman he will be good enough to play important/quality minutes. Bennett is not without skills and he has his jaw set and determined to be the best he can be. If the Thomas deal were to go side ways, he could get big important minutes.

That is my entry into the contest.

 

[WTSooner]

Like gary, I don't see Buford starting this year if it isn't at the 4. Meaning, if Thomas is eligible, or a guy like Lattin proves he is ready to start, Buford will come off the bench. I don't see any scenario where Woodard, Cousins, Hield, and Spangler don't start this year.

As for seeing Buford, Thomas, and Spangler on the floor together, if Buford does end up getting minutes at the 3 as a backup to Hield, sure, I could see it.

 

[bocabull]

I don't see any scenario where Woodard, Cousins, Hield, and Spangler don't start this year.

I certainly can with Spangler. Yes he has a strong motor and put up some solid numbers. But he was also totally outmanned and his production plummeted against quality competition. If Thomas gets his waiver he will become our #1 post player and if we player smaller or younger Spangler will be odd man out.

 

[originalsooner55]

I certainly can with Spangler. Yes he has a strong motor and put up some solid numbers. But he was also totally outmanned and his production plummeted against quality competition. If Thomas gets his waiver he will become our #1 post player and if we player smaller or younger Spangler will be odd man out.

I will disagree, Spangler was worn out towards the end of the year, as stated by several message board memebers, and IMO, I thought he had some of the his best games against quality competition. If I had to bet on the starting lineup this year it is Woodard, Heild, Cousins, Thomas(if elgible) and if not Buford, and Spangler. Barring injuries or something major happening, I beleive you can take that to the bank.

 

[Northbase]

lattin will be
a pro before he leaves.

i hope not... We don't need another ncaa investigation.

lol!

 

[Tundrasooner]

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.

When I was playing college ball my freshman year I went to my coach and told him I was struggling to gain weight which they wanted me to do. He told me to drink a six pack of beer a night... Lol
You know what? It worked. I pumped a lot of iron and drank a lot of beer that off season and put on about 10-15 lbs of muscle.
Of course umpteen years later doing the same thing. That muscle turns to something else... Lol

Sent from cool phone

 

[Tundrasooner]

I certainly can with Spangler. Yes he has a strong motor and put up some solid numbers. But he was also totally outmanned and his production plummeted against quality competition. If Thomas gets his waiver he will become our #1 post player and if we player smaller or younger Spangler will be odd man out.

One Big 12 coach said it looked like Spangler lost about 15 lbs last year by the end. He was worn completely down.

Sent from cool phone

 

[bocabull]

One Big 12 coach said it looked like Spangler lost about 15 lbs last year by the end. He was worn completely down.

That makes sense. He was battling all year inside without much help. The good news is there will be serious competition for playing time inside if Thomas gets his waiver ... finally!!

 

[DenverSooner]

That makes sense. He was battling all year inside without much help. The good news is there will be serious competition for playing time inside if Thomas gets his waiver ... finally!!

Even without it, he should have more help because Bennett improved and the freshman can help.