I have my opinions, and I have actually told a few people in private that I am waiting for Capel to bring this team together.
I believe it is only fair to wait until we at least get to conference play before we write him off as a coach.
He knows his basketball when it comes to x's and o's. I just wanna see how he does when he has a handful of lower classmen and no true on the floor leader.
Success comes with time, especially when you are dealing with the youth that Capel is dealing with.
Nobody can deny the fact that we have talent, but at this level, you have to expect alot of ups and downs when you have a bunch of young guys trying to find their rhythm as a team.
This team may not be a legit sweet sixteen team for a year or so. We just have to accept that and give Capel the time that is necessary to teach this team and bring them together as a unit.
Like all of you, I want results NOW, but we have to be realistic. We have no legit low post threat other than Gallon, and he is far from proven to be a force down low. He is obviously talented, but it is raw. He is average at best on the boards, but he really wasn't a big time low post power in high school. He was more known as a finesse big man. I know what Capel is doing. He is forcing Gallon to learn to use his size on the post. Then, he will slowly take the leash off him and let him showcase the full set of skills that he enjoys. I think it's a good idea actually, but I'm impatient so I have to just deal with it and hope for the best.
We really need Warren to step up and be a leader. He is an obvious future NBA basketball player and he knows it along with the rest of the team. Obviously, we need him to be consistent night in and night out. That's what big time players do. Now is not the time to be a self-oriented basketball player. I'm not saying he's a "me" teammate, but I'm not saying he isn't either. I want to see him step up and become a vocal leader on and off the court and I hope Coach C is telling him the same thing.
I have always said that Tony Crocker could and should be the X-factor of this basketball team. That guy has nothing but respect from me. He busts his tail every single play and he NEVER gives up on his game. He makes me proud to be a Sooner.
TMG will go down as one of those guys that just tick opposing coaches off. I don't know what else to say other than the sky is the limit for him in the NCAA.
As for the rest of the hoops squad, what else can I say other than those guys are young and talented. We may see a pretty dang good basketball team, starters and subs, once we hit the halfway mark of the season.
Just give it time, guys. Show up for the games and support your Sooners. They need us more now than ever. Now is when you show why you are a REAL Sooner fan.
Boomer Sooner
