The Elephant in the Room is Named Brady

[bearcreekfan]

Some numbers:
Last Season: 14.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 0.9 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.8 TOpg, 1.5 fouls, 45% fg, 38 3p%, 78 FT%
This Season: 10.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 0.8 apg, 0.4 spg, 0.9 TOpg, 1.7 fouls, 40% fg, 33 3p%, 75 FT%

He’s on pace to finish statistically worse in every single category. If Manek can even return to his level of play from last season that would really elevate this team.

It would be great if he could just return to his level of play from earlier in the season before Covid. Since his return from Covid, he's much worse in almost every category, e.g. 6.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 34 fg%, 24 3p%, etc. Game log link.

To opsooner's point, Lon's strategy of using Manek against opponent's big men may not work in the tourneys if they no longer respect his shooting.

 

[BCSooners]

I just see no chance any of the Seniors return.. Let's say Manek does. I think you go out and try to get a legit 5. Manek starts at the 4 again and you run Harmon, Gibson and Harkless at guard. Hill plays 3/4 then with Victor or Issanza backing up the new transfer.

That would be a pretty deep team and I think we could have back to back great years.

I think Manek needs to post more at times. He's very skilled there/mid range area. Maybe that could get him going then get back to pick/pop 3s.

Bottom line.. my thoughts I've said before. This team has a bunch of average dudes that have out played their rankings/abilities all season long basically. At some point they were gonna have a let down. Need to win 2 out of the last 3 and get back on track going into big 12 tourney.

If Manek isn't the best 5 on the team I don't think he starts. He's not a 4 in college because of his defense.

 

[Stikboy]

Maybe it’s not Covid at all? When he left the lineup the defense and offensive flow dramatically increased, so now trying to fit him back in is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. If he’s going to go 0-5 and not rebound, start Kur and bring him off the bench. If he comes in and lights it up, then of course increase his minutes..

 

[AdaSooner]

If Manek isn't the best 5 on the team I don't think he starts. He's not a 4 in college because of his defense.

Can you name a five he can guard? There aren’t many options in college basketball these days. Most bigs in the Big 12 are listed as fours. WVU’s Derek Culver is one of them. He got most of his points by posting up Brady six feet or less from the basket. OU still won, but it wasn’t because anyone on our current roster could guard Culver.

I have said for sometime that OU’s greatest need in recruiting is a post player who is big enough and strong enough to compete with the bigs on other teams we face. And, I don’t mean projects like Polla, who couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Lon, bless his heart, seems to be enamored with tall, skinny recruits who may or may not pan out a year or two down the road. Kur has potential. Unfortunately, his OU career will be over soon. Next up? Issanza, I suppose.

 

[Sooner04]

Maybe it’s not Covid at all? When he left the lineup the defense and offensive flow dramatically increased, so now trying to fit him back in is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. If he’s going to go 0-5 and not rebound, start Kur and bring him off the bench. If he comes in and lights it up, then of course increase his minutes..

I could not agree more. It's big boy pants from here on out. Although I'm never real keen on increasing Kuath's time on the floor.

I have said for sometime that OU’s greatest need in recruiting is a post player who is big enough and strong enough to compete with the bigs on other teams we face. And, I don’t mean projects like Polla, who couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Lon, bless his heart, seems to be enamored with tall, skinny recruits who may or may not pan out a year or two down the road. Kur has potential. Unfortunately, his OU career will be over soon. Next up? Issanza, I suppose.

It's the most maddening aspect of his recruiting philosophy. There is nothing more overrated in college basketball than "rim protection". Get me a guy with a wide ass and broad shoulders who will rebound any carom in the zip code.

 

[sheepdogs1]

I could not agree more. It's big boy pants from here on out. Although I'm never real keen on increasing Kuath's time on the floor.

It's the most maddening aspect of his recruiting philosophy. There is nothing more overrated in college basketball than "rim protection". Get me a guy with a wide ass and broad shoulders who will rebound any carom in the zip code.

Ernie Abercrombie? There was also a player under Tubbs who was named David........ who had shoulders of a behemoth.

 

[BanjoCharley]

Get me a guy with a wide ass and broad shoulders who will rebound any carom in the zip code.

I'll take a 5'6" 135 pounder who will rebound any carom in the zip code.

 

[Sooner04]

Ernie Abercrombie? There was also a player under Tubbs who was named David........ who had shoulders of a behemoth.

David Johnson. Set up on the opposite side of WWT and feasted on jumpers that went a tad long.

 

[sheepdogs1]

David Johnson. Set up on the opposite side of WWT and feasted on jumpers that went a tad long.

At that time in history he looked like a defensive lineman.

 

[CMSOONER]

It's the most maddening aspect of his recruiting philosophy. There is nothing more overrated in college basketball than "rim protection". Get me a guy with a wide ass and broad shoulders who will rebound any carom in the zip code.

The Term "NBA Length & Athleticism" is the downfall for some in College recruiting. It has replaced skill and toughness.

 

[WichitaSooner]

I could not agree more. It's big boy pants from here on out. Although I'm never real keen on increasing Kuath's time on the floor.

It's the most maddening aspect of his recruiting philosophy. There is nothing more overrated in college basketball than "rim protection". Get me a guy with a wide ass and broad shoulders who will rebound any carom in the zip code.

Bill Self would disagree. Listen to him talk about basketball (which is fascinating even for those of us who despise KU), and you’ll almost assuredly hear him discuss how important rim protection is to team defense. All of his best defensive teams in the past decade have had a guy who can cover for mistakes by doing just that ... Withey, Embiid, Doke. It’s extremely hard to find those guys if you aren’t a blue blood, but to say it’s overrated is incorrect.

 

[c-mac]

I’m officially coming out of long-term lurker status for this one! Great topic. I apologize for the wall of text.

First off, I feel like these long breaks between games haven’t done us any favors as a team. We have lacked some intensity and the whole team seems to be a bit off. With that said, Brady is not in the right shape to be a center for 25-30 min a game, he is not a good post defender, and when he’s missing shots he’s taking shots away from higher percentage shooters this year.

I think there are three things at play with regards to Brady’s physical shape: Brady didn’t train to be a full-time center this off season, Covid took more out of him than we realized, and the combination has really affected his ability to recover, defend, and shoot. His expected role on the team looked very different 3 months ago vs now. I know his legs are shot after being undersized and banging with centers all game. I’ve been there! It sucks. I also don’t think Lon has done him any favors either with shot selection. It seems like most of his 3’s come from above the break. I wish he would get more shots from the corner.

As far as his actual defense goes, he’s a liability. While Kur is far from perfect, Kur does a much better job forcing the opposing center to actually fight for the block and is probably the better option for pick and rolls (though not by much). What Kur does exponentially better though is alter shots in the paint. Kur allows our guards to be more aggressive on ball because if they get beat, he’s in better position back there to actually contest the shot. Brady is so concerned with his defensive responsibility (their big) that he isn’t putting himself in the right position to play good team defense. I feel for him because he’s been put in a tough spot, but that is now part of his job on the court.

Lastly, if Brady was shooting at his last year averages, he is worth the bad defense. But with him shooting the ball at about a 36ish % from the field and 25% from 3 in February (let me know if my math is wrong lol), his shots take away from higher percentage shooters like Mo, Harkless, Reaves, & Harmon.

I think we need to start Kur for defense which also allows our guards to shoot the ball more. I also want Lon to run some offensive sets for Brady to get Corner 3’s and miss-match post ups off the bench when he is in. Brady can truly elevate the team to a higher level.

I’ll always have the utmost respect for Brady because he has worked hard for this program and is a huge part of it for the last 4 years. But Lon needs to be the head coach and give him an opportunity to be impactful and find his role in the team off the bench. Or Brady breaks out of this slump in March? I 100% support this option as well!

 

[Soonerinkc]

Ernie Abercrombie? There was also a player under Tubbs who was named David........ who had shoulders of a behemoth.

I loves Ernie....

Also William Davis was a 6'5 post that battled 7'2 Greg Dreiling (former school mate at Kapaun) from ku...

 

[Soonerinkc]

As far as his actual defense goes, he’s a liability. While Kur is far from perfect, Kur does a much better job forcing the opposing center to actually fight for the block and is probably the better option for pick and rolls (though not by much). What Kur does exponentially better though is alter shots in the paint. Kur allows our guards to be more aggressive on ball because if they get beat, he’s in better position back there to actually contest the shot. Brady is so concerned with his defensive responsibility (their big) that he isn’t putting himself in the right position to play good team defense. I feel for him because he’s been put in a tough spot, but that is now part of his job on the court.

our post defense, blocking out is horrible...from both.

 

[c-mac]

our post defense, blocking out is horrible...from both.

I mostly agree, but Brady is exponentially worse. He gives up position so easily and is then completely on the wrong side of the lane when the opposing guards drive. Kur isn't great, but will take his effort over Brady's.
Our inability to block out and rebound is infuriating on all fronts. The amount of times I see our bigs just stand and jump instead of finding a body is bad. I just don't see a fix for that at this point in the season or in Kur and Brady's careers. Vic is such a better rebounder than them so I'm looking forward to him next year!

 

[WichitaSooner]

So judging from thread and comments over the last two weeks, our three point defense and our post defense both suck. Interesting, then, that we are somehow a very good defensive team lol.

 

[Sooner04]

I mostly agree, but Brady is exponentially worse. He gives up position so easily and is then completely on the wrong side of the lane when the opposing guards drive. Kur isn't great, but will take his effort over Brady's.
Our inability to block out and rebound is infuriating on all fronts. The amount of times I see our bigs just stand and jump instead of finding a body is bad. I just don't see a fix for that at this point in the season or in Kur and Brady's careers. Vic is such a better rebounder than them so I'm looking forward to him next year!

Good stuff, C-mac. Post more! We take all opinions here.

I was not high on Vic out of high school because of the whole mess surrounding his senior "season", but he's the rebounding light at the end of the tunnel. I wish he'd see more floor time, especially when you consider how many rebounds he'd snag while picking up his five fouls.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I mostly agree, but Brady is exponentially worse. He gives up position so easily and is then completely on the wrong side of the lane when the opposing guards drive. Kur isn't great, but will take his effort over Brady's.
Our inability to block out and rebound is infuriating on all fronts. The amount of times I see our bigs just stand and jump instead of finding a body is bad. I just don't see a fix for that at this point in the season or in Kur and Brady's careers. Vic is such a better rebounder than them so I'm looking forward to him next year!

lol....no doubt.

I was watching iowa/mich...when mich would try and guard "Gaza"? the iowa center...with a smaller guy they would front him and then drop another if there was a post pass entry..seems simple I taught this in HS.

Yes, the problem is then you give up inside position for a rebound...but damn, if ya are just getting abused by playing def behind...but what do I know.

 

[Stikboy]

I mostly agree, but Brady is exponentially worse. He gives up position so easily and is then completely on the wrong side of the lane when the opposing guards drive. Kur isn't great, but will take his effort over Brady's.
Our inability to block out and rebound is infuriating on all fronts. The amount of times I see our bigs just stand and jump instead of finding a body is bad. I just don't see a fix for that at this point in the season or in Kur and Brady's careers. Vic is such a better rebounder than them so I'm looking forward to him next year!

Welcome and keep posting! Agree with everything you said.

 

[BCSooners]

Can you name a five he can guard? There aren’t many options in college basketball these days. Most bigs in the Big 12 are listed as fours. WVU’s Derek Culver is one of them. He got most of his points by posting up Brady six feet or less from the basket. OU still won, but it wasn’t because anyone on our current roster could guard Culver.

I have said for sometime that OU’s greatest need in recruiting is a post player who is big enough and strong enough to compete with the bigs on other teams we face. And, I don’t mean projects like Polla, who couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Lon, bless his heart, seems to be enamored with tall, skinny recruits who may or may not pan out a year or two down the road. Kur has potential. Unfortunately, his OU career will be over soon. Next up? Issanza, I suppose.

He's done a good job on ISU's guy, 1st time against Culver (but OU was doubling) & usually does good on TCU's Samuel.

But again it's not his defense that gives him the minutes, it's his shooting/post passing. When he's on offensively it forces KU to bench McCormick. If he's not on offensively he shouldn't hardly play.