This makes the 5th straight game.....

[stormspencer]

where the team hasn't put together more than one good half of basketball in a game.....going all the way back to our loss @K-State. We were fortunate to win 3 of those in a grind out it manner. Yet, some of us were ridiculed for pointing out this very fact....that you have to start putting together two good halves of basketball if you want to beat good teams. We heard the tired-@ss cliche that "a win is a win", but inconsistency reared its ugly head again tonight....with a bad result.

We will see how we react on Saturday. If we repeat our performance of the last 5 games....we will lose again. But if they can find a way to bring the effort and composure for two halves, then they will be fine.

 

[WTSooner]

where the team hasn't put together more than one good half of basketball in a game.....going all the way back to our loss @K-State. We were fortunate to win 3 of those in a grind out it manner. Yet, some of us were ridiculed for pointing out this very fact....that you have to start putting together two good halves of basketball if you want to beat good teams. We heard the tired-@ss cliche that "a win is a win", but inconsistency reared its ugly head again tonight....with a bad result.

We will see how we react on Saturday. If we repeat our performance of the last 5 games....we will lose again. But if they can find a way to bring the effort and composure and effort for two halves, then they will be fine.

Yep. I got ripped recently for bringing that up. Can't beat good teams playing like that. Or at least, you can't do it with any kind of consistency. It's gotta be a lack of leadership on the team. No way a team with a Najera, or Price, or Brewer, continually struggle to close out games like this team has.

 

[MercedeSooner]

It's gotta be a lack of leadership on the team. No way a team with a Najera, or Price, or Brewer, continually struggle to close out games like this team has.

We all loved Kruger giving his half time speech against OSU but if we had Najera or Price would Kruger even had to have done it ?

 

[OUSKINS]

I'm fine with being critical after you blow a lead like that, but this isn't just about toughness or leadership-- this team just isn't particularly GOOD. Very little raw talent for the Sooners. Buddy is probably the only guy who would get serious minutes at any of the elite basketball schools. Spangler and Thomas are undersized bigs with limited skills. Cousins and Woodard wouldn't even get a sniff from a major program. Buddy has marginal pro potential; no one else on the team has any. The bench is empty in terms of talented players save maybe Lattin who isn't ready yet.

The teams Eduardo and Hollis played on were significantly more talented and deep than this team. That matters.

 

[BCSooners]

I'm fine with being critical after you blow a lead like that, but this isn't just about toughness or leadership-- this team just isn't particularly GOOD. Very little raw talent for the Sooners. Buddy is probably the only guy who would get serious minutes at any of the elite basketball schools. Spangler and Thomas are undersized bigs with limited skills. Cousins and Woodard wouldn't even get a sniff from a major program. Buddy has marginal pro potential; no one else on the team has any. The bench is empty in terms of talented players save maybe Lattin who isn't ready yet.

The teams Eduardo and Hollis played on were significantly more talented and deep than this team. That matters.

I think this is another thing Kruger is excellent at that is getting overlooked now, developing players.

 

[rickjames]

I'm fine with being critical after you blow a lead like that, but this isn't just about toughness or leadership-- this team just isn't particularly GOOD. Very little raw talent for the Sooners. Buddy is probably the only guy who would get serious minutes at any of the elite basketball schools. Spangler and Thomas are undersized bigs with limited skills. Cousins and Woodard wouldn't even get a sniff from a major program. Buddy has marginal pro potential; no one else on the team has any. The bench is empty in terms of talented players save maybe Lattin who isn't ready yet.

The teams Eduardo and Hollis played on were significantly more talented and deep than this team. That matters.

I agree with you for the most part. But Cousins would play for many major programs. He has developed nicely and is a very good, long defender. Lattin has great athleticism and I could see pro potential for him down the line. I'm excited to see Buford next year as well as Manyang. Two very talented, athletic guys that will help a lot.

 

[DenverSooner]

You negative people are so funny and predictable. You run around with your chicken little act and as soon as you get your second favorite thing about OU sports (a loss you claim you predicted) you come and praise yourself.

 

[originalsooner55]

You negative people are so funny and predictable. You run around with your chicken little act and as soon as you get your second favorite thing about OU sports (a loss you claim you predicted) you come and praise yourself.

I agree, and IMO most of what said is wrong. When we beat Kansas on Sat. this board will be different. I still see alot of good things from this team, coaches, and players.

 

[WTSooner]

You negative people are so funny and predictable. You run around with your chicken little act and as soon as you get your second favorite thing about OU sports (a loss you claim you predicted) you come and praise yourself.

Just goes to show you aren't paying attention.

It's not the loss prediction, but the prediction that our lack of consistent effort and good basketball would eventually burn us.

Had we played a solid, spirited game against ISU, and lost. I wouldn't have said a word. Instead we played a pretty good half, followed by a stinker. Just like our M.O.

 

[Oklahoma Crew]

It's like you people were looking for a loss.... if I didn't know any better I would think you are ecstatic that this team blew a 21 point second half lead so you could get on here and claim that you were attacked and ridiculed, but that you were right. All I've seen is two different views from the posters on this board and each side arguing their points. Few people are attacking anybody, this is a forum for debate. If you feel you have been attacked then I suggest tougher skin. No one is claiming this team is national championship or even elite 8 caliber. What we are claiming is that this team is good enough for a 3-5 seed (when was the last time OU saw one of those) and has potential to make a little postseason noise. To claim this team isn't any good makes me believe you didn't watch OU basketball the last two years Capel was here. Those teams weren't any good.

This team is top 20 and had a chance (technically still does) to win the toughest league in college basketball. Iowa State made the adjustments and hit their shots. They are coached well and have a home court that's better than any in this league outside of the phog. This team is not that good? All of the rankings suggest otherwise, you aren't convincing anybody.

That said, I agree this team has some problems (few teams don't) and maybe those come from a lack of on court leadership. I'm still pulling for them, most fun I've had watching sooner basketball in a long time. Let's give Kansas hell.

 

[WTSooner]

What we are claiming is that this team is good enough for a 3-5 seed (when was the last time OU saw one of those)

Uhh.....last year?

 

[slappy in OP]

Most fun I've had watching sooner basketball in a long time. Let's give Kansas hell.

Agreed.

I am certainly not happy we lost last night. Some of our "fans" seems somewhat pleased with themselves over the deal. The original post is true that we have not played a complete game in several games. However, most college teams don't play a complete game every game. I think some are being more critical of our team than they would of others. Part of that is being a fan and wanting the best for our team. Unfortunately, in my opinion, we also have a small group of fans that almost want us to fail. It is disappointing.

 

[Oklahoma Crew]

Uhh.....last year?

Yes they were the 5.... that's worst case this year. Way to deflect my point

 

[DenverSooner]

Just goes to show you aren't paying attention.

It's not the loss prediction, but the prediction that our lack of consistent effort and good basketball would eventually burn us.

Had we played a solid, spirited game against ISU, and lost. I wouldn't have said a word. Instead we played a pretty good half, followed by a stinker. Just like our M.O.

I pay more attention than most and I understand basketball a lot better than most people. With that said, I am also quick to point out I am just a fan. I don't pretend to know more about the game than Big XII coaches.

You calling the first half pretty good demonstrates how little you know about basketball. That first half was great. OU completely dominated ISU and they did it without shooting lights out or fouling. Anyone can dominate a team when they shoot 55%. Very few can do it when they shoot 38%.

 

[WTSooner]

I pay more attention than most and I understand basketball a lot better than most people. With that said, I am also quick to point out I am just a fan. I don't pretend to know more about the game than Big XII coaches.

You calling the first half pretty good demonstrates how little you know about basketball. That first half was great. OU completely dominated ISU and they did it without shooting lights out or fouling. Anyone can dominate a team when they shoot 55%. Very few can do it when they shoot 38%.

That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. If OU's first half was great, then what was ISU's second half? THAT was a great half of basketball (for ISU). OU needed to pull away more for that first half to have been great. But that is something we've struggled with all season.

 

[stormspencer]

Just goes to show you aren't paying attention.

It's not the loss prediction, but the prediction that our lack of consistent effort and good basketball would eventually burn us.

Had we played a solid, spirited game against ISU, and lost. I wouldn't have said a word. Instead we played a pretty good half, followed by a stinker. Just like our M.O.

Exactly, and you're not allowed to make this observation or you're considered a "negative" or a "bad fan" by the holier than thou, cheerleading sect. No one on this forum likes or wants to lose....but it appears that concerns about our recent play can't be discussed because it's somehow detrimental or offensive to the sunshine narrative. Some of our fans appear not to see to see the forest despite the trees....but don't you dare utter a word of criticism or else the attacks will begin.

And I want to see us beat the hell out of KU, but it's going to take more than 20 minutes of good basketball to make that happen.

 

[SoonerSpock]

A defense that allows 59 points in a half is not mentally into the game and is devoid of effort. Especially against an offense they held to 18 in the first half. The onus is on everyone players and coaches.

 

[DenverSooner]

Agreed.

I am certainly not happy we lost last night. Some of our "fans" seems somewhat pleased with themselves over the deal. The original post is true that we have not played a complete game in several games. However, most college teams don't play a complete game every game. I think some are being more critical of our team than they would of others. Part of that is being a fan and wanting the best for our team. Unfortunately, in my opinion, we also have a small group of fans that almost want us to fail. It is disappointing.

I don't think they want OU to fail. I think they are naturally negative people. They feel safe and comfortable being negative. When their negative beliefs prove to be true, they reinforce their belief system. This is pretty simple psychology.

 

[garyeb2]

Exactly, and you're not allowed to make this observation or you're considered a "negative" or a "bad fan" by the holier than thou, cheerleading sect. No one on this forum likes or wants to lose....but it appears that concerns about our recent play can't be discussed because it's somehow detrimental or offensive to the sunshine narrative. Some of our fans appear not to see to see the forest despite the trees....but don't you dare utter a word of criticism or else the attacks will begin.

And I want to see us beat the hell out of KU, but it's going to take more than 20 minutes of good basketball to make that happen.

Well, maybe. But, I know one thing for certain. We have a staff and a good group of kids that work hard everyday trying to be as good of basketball team as they can. I have some appreciation for that.

When the kids, clowns and bookkeepers get on here to denigrate and insult them, it shouldn't be surprising that they would be held accountable and have to defend their positions and opinions.

 

[stormspencer]

Well, maybe. But, I know one thing for certain. We have a staff and a good group of kids that work hard everyday trying to be as good of basketball team as they can. I have some appreciation for that.

When the kids, clowns and bookkeepers get on here to denigrate and insult them, it shouldn't be surprising that they would be held accountable and have to defend their positions and opinions.

I agree 100%. I love this team and I know they work hard. We all want them to do their best and achieve at a high-level. And any any personal attacks on a player (this guy sucks etc.) is totally uncalled for. But I also think criticism, when given constructively (I would like to see player x or the team improve in this area) or concerns about team's trends/weaknesses is perfectly valid....especially when we all are hoping for the same end.