This should be an interesting year to say the least

[coolm]

have we had a season with as close to as many questions as this since the 70's?

I don't think so. Even that Angelo Hamilton year had more holes plugged than this.

 

[Darwin]

I think you only have to go back to Kelvins 1st year. Certainly not with new faces given Ernie A was about the only 1 ( and Prince F). We had no clue those leftovers could make the dance , let alone a top 4 seed. I'm not saying I'm optimistic but I'm saying there is a chance to be good. It takes one guy to elevate his game to all conference 1st team and several others to buy into team 1st. I know this can happen.

 

[FaithfulSooner]

Interesting indeed. I just hope we play more as a team. This will definetly give us a chance to win more games. BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!

 

[j2d2]

We're going to get a really good look at Coach Capel's ability to coach this year. Putting a TEAM together that plays hard and together with so many new faces will tell me a lot. I'm betting that he does a better job than we have any right to expect.

 

[luckyc1423]

We're going to get a really good look at Coach Capel's ability to coach this year. Putting a TEAM together that plays hard and together with so many new faces will tell me a lot. I'm betting that he does a better job than we have any right to expect.

This is not his first year so we have plenty of rights to expect him to have a good team this far into his coaching stay.....
Secondly we have a few pieces together to be a good team, I am not sure why everyone thinks we are going to be so terrible...maybe its because they dont want to be let down by the team and capel again? I dont know....But I guess some figure that if they think we are not going to be good, then we are to them that will make capel a great coach??
But from the way I look at things I am really happy with our guards and possibly the ability to run and gun while still playing good defense...

1) Taylor, Newell, & blair...when is the last time we have had 3 pg options??
2) cade, taylor, pledger
3) cade, clark, thompson, Neal
4) cade, thompson, fitz, Neal
5) fitz, washington

Then we have a beast that will beat everyone up in practice in osby.

We have atleast 3 options at every position other than center (very very weak position for us for the next few years)

But I believe on any given night we have 6 players that have the ability to score double figures.
1) cade
2) taylor
3) newell
4) pledger
5) clark
6) fitz

Although we have noone to just throw the ball to, we have several guys that will be able to step up on different nights....

 

[Cheno]

We're going to get a really good look at Coach Capel's ability to coach this year. Putting a TEAM together that plays hard and together with so many new faces will tell me a lot. I'm betting that he does a better job than we have any right to expect.

I agree. I think this year makes or breaks Coach Capels time at OU.
I have 100% faith it will MAKE it.

 

[Sam]

This is not his first year so we have plenty of rights to expect him to have a good team this far into his coaching stay.....
Secondly we have a few pieces together to be a good team, I am not sure why everyone thinks we are going to be so terrible...maybe its because they dont want to be let down by the team and capel again? I dont know....But I guess some figure that if they think we are not going to be good, then we are to them that will make capel a great coach??
But from the way I look at things I am really happy with our guards and possibly the ability to run and gun while still playing good defense...

1) Taylor, Newell, & blair...when is the last time we have had 3 pg options??
2) cade, taylor, pledger
3) cade, clark, thompson, Neal
4) cade, thompson, fitz, Neal
5) fitz, washington

Then we have a beast that will beat everyone up in practice in osby.

We have atleast 3 options at every position other than center (very very weak position for us for the next few years)

But I believe on any given night we have 6 players that have the ability to score double figures.
1) cade
2) taylor
3) newell
4) pledger
5) clark
6) fitz

Although we have noone to just throw the ball to, we have several guys that will be able to step up on different nights....

You need to count Blair as a double digit guy, he averaged double digit for a full season last year in Division 1 (it was the Sun Belt but still). Also if just going off potential guys who could (key word) end up on double figures this season I believe Thompson and Washington need to be counted as well.

I do see the merit of your post in saying there is a nice blend of talent at every position but the inexperience factor is why there is so much doubt on this team. It is brand a new season with brand new team but many people can't get the taste of last seasons struggles out of their mouths. The same thing happened last year too, despite all the questions marks coming off the elite eight run we still had the taste of glory and expected more. This team could shock us all or really struggle due to new players. That is the beauty of sports, you never know what is going to happen.

 

[afaSooner]

Well coach Capel certainly has his work cut out for him with this team but probably not anywhere close to the challenge he had with last years team. I think last years team was uncoachable and you see that sometimes even with the greatest coaches of all time. On last years team, the only guy that should've been thinking NBA was Warren. He had paid his dues and yet other guys didn't want to pay theirs to help form that team concept you need. You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink it. You saw a little change with regards to that towards the end of the year but very little and way too late. I really think that Capel will prove last year was an anomaly.

I think there's some serious question marks but it appears character is not one of them THIS year.

 

[scrybe]

Well coach Capel certainly has his work cut out for him with this team but probably not anywhere close to the challenge he had with last years team. I think last years team was uncoachable and you see that sometimes even with the greatest coaches of all time. On last years team, the only guy that should've been thinking NBA was Warren. He had paid his dues and yet other guys didn't want to pay theirs to help form that team concept you need. You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink it. You saw a little change with regards to that towards the end of the year but very little and way too late. I really think that Capel will prove last year was an anomaly.

I think there's some serious question marks but it appears character is not one of them THIS year.

Great post, IMO.

 

[NickZepp]

Well coach Capel certainly has his work cut out for him with this team but probably not anywhere close to the challenge he had with last years team. I think last years team was uncoachable and you see that sometimes even with the greatest coaches of all time. On last years team, the only guy that should've been thinking NBA was Warren. He had paid his dues and yet other guys didn't want to pay theirs to help form that team concept you need. You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink it. You saw a little change with regards to that towards the end of the year but very little and way too late. I really think that Capel will prove last year was an anomaly.

I think there's some serious question marks but it appears character is not one of them THIS year.

I agree with this. "Draining the swamp" was much needed for this team. I'm still not sure if we have players that are all that good because of Capel's recruiting history. His recruiting history just isn't really that good at OU.