The Future

[SoonerWarVet]

I was glad to see Nick Thompson not get off the bench. He is horrible and hope he transfers (which should be a priority). He just doesn't have it for D-1 basketball. Other than the occasional three, he looks lost on both sides of the court. I could set a better screen then he can.

My assessment of our guard play: I think Newell is good and very athletic. Should get a lot of PT next year at our 2 guard spot IMO. Not saying he will, but should. I don't think he has it to run point. Blair cannot cut it at point either and is just too slow and makes too many mistakes.

That being said, with the addition of Osby, this team should be a lot better next year.

If we can get a true point guard (which is rumored), this should be our lineup (not saying it would happen):

Point - Recruit yet to commit (possibly Cezar Guerrero)
2 guard - Newell
SF - Cam (has the skills to be all big 12 first team)
PF - Fitz (looks better each game)
C/PF - Osby (legit!!!)

Off the bench: Goff (should get us some rebounds and inside D presence), Neal (not sold on him yet but looks pretty decent), Washington (hard worker and appears to be in the right place at the right time on many occasions), and what other recruits we are after). Don't know too much about the Peters kid. The rest shouldn't see the floor IMO.

We are still in on several highly talented players. Will we get them, maybe not.

Here is one of our potential point guards:

Cezar Guerrero - I think we have a pretty good chance. He is a true point guard that would run circles around Blair. He has only visited two schools (Western Kentucky and us earlier this month). If you look at the list of schools that has offered him, we have a legit shot.

And why haven't we offered Jarion Henry (hope I spelled that right)? Not saying we would get him, but an offer needs to be extended.

 

[CMSOONER]

Assuming that we do land CG, next years line up will look somthing like this:

PG- Blair
SG- pledger
SF- Clark
PF- Osby
C- Fitz

CG will come off the bench As well as Goff, Washington, Neal and Newell. Osby will see time at the 3 spot as well.

 

[SoonerWarVet]

Assuming that we do land CG, next years line up will look somthing like this:

PG- Blair
SG- pledger
SF- Clark
PF- Osby
C- Fitz

CG will come off the bench As well as Goff, Washington, Neal and Newell. Osby will see time at the 3 spot as well.

I forgot about Pledge. I don't think Blair has it. Just my opinion.

 

[pnkranger]

I actually think Blair has "IT" that it takes to win. He really does seem like a winner to me and a guy who is very passionate about being a team leader.

I'm just not sure he has IT meaning the speed and quickness he needs to do the things that will put him over the top.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Blair is getting better at a steady pace. He is light years ahead of where he was in Maui. He has the potential to be a good floor leader like Quannas White was. He has yet to buckle down on Defense like White did though. Quannas was not really fast/quick either, but he was smart, tough, and strong. I believe that Blair can also be tough, strong, and smart. He already understands the game pretty well.

I'm not so quick to give up on guys like many are. I still believe that Thompson may help us at some point. He won't ever be a D-1 star, but he could be a solid sub who gives a few minutes off the bench with the right bigs inside to protect his weaknesses. He has been asked to play a role on this team that he just can't play. He has the tools to be a good spot up shooter. Guys 6-9 or taller who can step out and hit the 3 are a match up nightmare. Hopefully he will continue to work hard, and maybe he can be a situational sub next yr....

I remember Sooner Nation giving up on Cam Kenney, Pooh Tennel, and many others. Sometimes guys contribute better in their last yr. They finally relax because they decide to just have fun and leave it on the court/field their Sr yr. Cam Kenney is a perfect example....

 

[sooners78]

I was glad to see Nick Thompson not get off the bench. He is horrible and hope he transfers (which should be a priority). He just doesn't have it for D-1 basketball. Other than the occasional three, he looks lost on both sides of the court. I could set a better screen then he can.

My assessment of our guard play: I think Newell is good and very athletic. Should get a lot of PT next year at our 2 guard spot IMO. Not saying he will, but should. I don't think he has it to run point. Blair cannot cut it at point either and is just too slow and makes too many mistakes.

That being said, with the addition of Osby, this team should be a lot better next year.

If we can get a true point guard (which is rumored), this should be our lineup (not saying it would happen):

Point - Recruit yet to commit (possibly Cezar Guerrero)
2 guard - Newell
SF - Cam (has the skills to be all big 12 first team)
PF - Fitz (looks better each game)
C/PF - Osby (legit!!!)

Off the bench: Goff (should get us some rebounds and inside D presence), Neal (not sold on him yet but looks pretty decent), Washington (hard worker and appears to be in the right place at the right time on many occasions), and what other recruits we are after). Don't know too much about the Peters kid. The rest shouldn't see the floor IMO.

We are still in on several highly talented players. Will we get them, maybe not.

Here is one of our potential point guards:

Cezar Guerrero - I think we have a pretty good chance. He is a true point guard that would run circles around Blair. He has only visited two schools (Western Kentucky and us earlier this month). If you look at the list of schools that has offered him, we have a legit shot.

And why haven't we offered Jarion Henry (hope I spelled that right)? Not saying we would get him, but an offer needs to be extended.

yeah, capel will proably start him next game and he will log 30 minutes of playing time

 

[BoulderSooner]

Better chance that the starting lineup will be Clark Osby Goff fitz and blair

 

[hoopsaustin]

Blair is getting better at a steady pace. He is light years ahead of where he was in Maui. He has the potential to be a good floor leader like Quannas White was. He has yet to buckle down on Defense like White did though. Quannas was not really fast/quick either, but he was smart, tough, and strong. I believe that Blair can also be tough, strong, and smart. He already understands the game pretty well.

I'm not so quick to give up on guys like many are. I still believe that Thompson may help us at some point. He won't ever be a D-1 star, but he could be a solid sub who gives a few minutes off the bench with the right bigs inside to protect his weaknesses. He has been asked to play a role on this team that he just can't play. He has the tools to be a good spot up shooter. Guys 6-9 or taller who can step out and hit the 3 are a match up nightmare. Hopefully he will continue to work hard, and maybe he can be a situational sub next yr....

I remember Sooner Nation giving up on Cam Kenney, Pooh Tennel, and many others. Sometimes guys contribute better in their last yr. They finally relax because they decide to just have fun and leave it on the court/field their Sr yr. Cam Kenney is a perfect example....

tennel was an epic bust and NEVER contributed so i dont get that reference. Kenney however did ball out that last 4 weeks or so that was wonderful

 

[waynepayne]

Blair is getting better at a steady pace. He is light years ahead of where he was in Maui. He has the potential to be a good floor leader like Quannas White was. He has yet to buckle down on Defense like White did though. Quannas was not really fast/quick either, but he was smart, tough, and strong. I believe that Blair can also be tough, strong, and smart. He already understands the game pretty well.

I'm not so quick to give up on guys like many are. I still believe that Thompson may help us at some point. He won't ever be a D-1 star, but he could be a solid sub who gives a few minutes off the bench with the right bigs inside to protect his weaknesses. He has been asked to play a role on this team that he just can't play. He has the tools to be a good spot up shooter. Guys 6-9 or taller who can step out and hit the 3 are a match up nightmare. Hopefully he will continue to work hard, and maybe he can be a situational sub next yr....

I remember Sooner Nation giving up on Cam Kenney, Pooh Tennel, and many others. Sometimes guys contribute better in their last yr. They finally relax because they decide to just have fun and leave it on the court/field their Sr yr. Cam Kenney is a perfect example....

this board needs a rep function for posts like this.

:clap

 

[jmizzy4ou]

tennel was an epic bust and NEVER contributed so i dont get that reference. Kenney however did ball out that last 4 weeks or so that was wonderful

He played better his last few games of his Sr yr. He made some catches after many said that he would never play again because of his struggles. I don't call a kid who sticks for 4 yrs, is a good citizen, and gets an education a bust. A bust, IMO is like Jarboe or someone who shames the program. Of course my concerns for these kids go beyond their ability to catch, run, and dunk.... I know for a fact that Pooh left Norman a better young man than he arrived, and that alone makes him not a bust to me....


On edit, I actually meant to refer to Q Chaney. He was considered a bust until his Sr yr when he contributed. I still stand by what I said about Tennel as well.

 

[StoopsBros]

Better chance that the starting lineup will be Clark Osby Goff fitz and blair

Pledger > Goff

The only advantage Goff has is the size (obviously). I think the line-ups will change based on the opponent.

 

[Soonerman]

I like Blair, and I definitely think he has a great shot at starting next year assuming we get some high profile PG. He has great court vision, and yesterday, he showed he can drive the lane effectively. I think his main concentration in the off-season will be making better decisions (less turnovers), better defense, and losing some weight. He looks like he's carrying a little extra baggage, and we saw the difference losing weight had on Fitz.

 

[T_Neal's Twitter]

If you think about a lineup of:
Blair/Guerrero
Clark
Osby
Fitz
Goff

That's a pretty darn huge lineup. However, I think it would be tough for coach to keep Pledger out of the starting lineup. He is solid and will continue to be.

 

[38red]

We can win with Blair, but Blair & Pledger are both heavy footed athletes. So I don't see them being on the court together & ou being good of D!

 

[SoonerWarVet]

Blair does have drive and the will to win, but that is not enough. He is a horrid free throw shooter, throws up too many alleyoop passes, and panics when trapped. I mean he really panics and throws the ball to an area where no one put the other team is standing. If you think someone like that should be running point at a perennial top 25 basketball program, you are mistaken.

I think Blair could be used a situational player as someone stated before. Thompson should never see the floor.

Someone please explain what makes Thompson deserving of a scholarship? He can't defend, he can't set screens, he turns the ball over. He does make the occasional three, but that negatives FAR outweigh the lone positive.