The importance of versatility.....

[WTSooner]

I still think a good versatile 4 is one of the best weapons a college team can have. I like Spangler, but he does not fit that description. And Thomas is a bit of a plodder as well as times.

Only LK knows what plans he has for next year, but I hope they include playing Buford some at the 4 spot. In today's game, to be elite on offense, you just about half to either have a couple of elite guards, or a really good stretch 4 that can command attention out on the wing.

 

[pnkranger]

Would have been nice to have buford guarding Niang during the run. Spangler is gassed.

 

[WTSooner]

Would have been nice to have buford guarding Niang during the run. Spangler is gassed.

Niang is nearly the perfect college 4 in my mind. Reminds me a lot of Ace, or Eduardo with a better 3 point shot.

 

[SoonerDan74012]

Would have been nice to have buford guarding Niang during the run. Spangler is gassed.

I can't help but wonder what this teams record would be if he was eligible. :facepalm

 

[AdaSooner]

Niang is nearly the perfect college 4. in my mind. Reminds me a lot of Ace, or Eduardo with a better 3 point shot.

Niang is a special player. He has power forward size and strength, but he has two guard skills. That's a tough combination to guard at the college level. I think you're right about Buford. He's as close as anyone on the team right now.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Cam. Clark.

 

[MercedeSooner]

Niang is nearly the perfect college 4 in my mind. Reminds me a lot of Ace, or Eduardo with a better 3 point shot.

In that system he is a great player, ISU and Duke offense's are based around having the stretch 4 being their best player.

 

[BCSooners]

Cam. Clark.

Niang has about 30 pounds and better skilled than Cam. Cam was the better athlete/defender. But niang can bang and isolate on the perimeter, can could just isolate or slash.

 

[stormspencer]

Niang is a special player. He has power forward size and strength, but he has two guard skills. That's a tough combination to guard at the college level. I think you're right about Buford. He's as close as anyone on the team right now.

He is almost the pure definition of point forward....much like Magic or LeBron. He doesn't quite have the skills or athletic ability of those two, but he can run the offense when Morris is off the floor and he can play all five positions. IMO, he is the worst matchup for anyone in the conference....maybe the country. I will be interested to see how teams outside the conference try to guard him in the NCAAs.

 

[originalsooner55]

Would have been nice to have buford guarding Niang during the run. Spangler is gassed.

Spangler wasn't guarding Niang

 

[DenverSooner]

In 80 minutes Niang got the best of OU for 15 minutes yet OU fans act like he is the second coming. Buddy was the leading scorer in that game. Buddy scored more than twice as many points as Niang in Norman. Had the officials called his fouls, he was gone at about the five minute mark.

 

[WTSooner]

In 80 minutes Niang got the best of OU for 15 minutes yet OU fans act like he is the second coming. Buddy was the leading scorer in that game. Buddy scored more than twice as many points as Niang in Norman. Had the officials called his fouls, he was gone at about the five minute mark.

Use your head, Denver.

It's not just about points. Niang makes the opposing team game plan for him, specifically, which in turn makes his teammates that much better. OU typically doesn't do anything "special" on defense. We don't double very many guys. We don't play much zone. Can't remember us playing a box and 1 or triangle and 2. But the two times we played ISU, we changed our M.O. to account for Niang. THAT is why he is a stud.

 

[garyeb2]

In 80 minutes Niang got the best of OU for 15 minutes yet OU fans act like he is the second coming. Buddy was the leading scorer in that game. Buddy scored more than twice as many points as Niang in Norman. Had the officials called his fouls, he was gone at about the five minute mark.

Don't confuse them with the facts. They have the great undersized forward, Niang, and they are tied for 2nd in the conference two games behind Kansas. You know, just like us.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Niang is nearly the perfect college 4 in my mind. Reminds me a lot of Ace, or Eduardo with a better 3 point shot.

he is a terrible defender and is not likely to ever play in the nba

 

[DenverSooner]

Use your head, Denver.

It's not just about points. Niang makes the opposing team game plan for him, specifically, which in turn makes his teammates that much better. OU typically doesn't do anything "special" on defense. We don't double very many guys. We don't play much zone. Can't remember us playing a box and 1 or triangle and 2. But the two times we played ISU, we changed our M.O. to account for Niang. THAT is why he is a stud.

Teams game plan for Hield too.

OU has switched on defense all season long.

 

[campbest]

Versatility would mean OU has consistent bench production...that isn't the case.

 

[WTSooner]

Teams game plan for Hield too.

OU has switched on defense all season long.

OU has not switched 1/2/3 on 4 screens all season. Spangler has not guarded 1/2/3's all season b/c of those switches.

 

[Max Power]

Ou needs a post with solid moves that they can dump it down to when teams go on a run. Thomas is too soft and Spangler is a little to small right now. Need a book out or taj gray type

 

[DenverSooner]

They have done it a lot. I cannot say if Spangler has guarded the wings because I don't recall one way or the other but I can say that Woodard, Hield and Cousins have all guarded bigs throughout the season. Therefore, it is likely that Thomas and Spangler have found themselves on the perimeter.

OU has been switching on defense all season.

 

[BoulderSooner]

OU has not switched 1/2/3 on 4 screens all season. Spangler has not guarded 1/2/3's all season b/c of those switches.

only the last time we played isu