This team is one of the most balanced in OU history

[stoopified]

In fact I can only think of two other Sooner teams with 5 double-digit scorers.The only other teams with 5 double digit scorers I can recall are the 1978 squad with Beal,Stotts,McCullogh,Curry,Whitley and the 1988 squad with Grant,Sieger,King,Blaylock,Grace. Not sure this bunch can finish with all five starters averaging 10+ points but if they do,that means we are playing some pretty good ball.

 

[BigTime]

It was interesting trying to predict where the points would come from in the offseason. Most on here, including myself, had Hield and Cam as 1-2. I didn't think that Woodard, Spangler and especially Cousins. would score like they have! The scary thing is that Hornbeak was yet to get it together and he is a guy who can hit from deep and get to the rim.

 

[DenverSooner]

What is so great about this team is that 7 of the top 9 guys return, including 5 of the top 6. You really have to be excited about the direction of the program. OU is not dependent on one superstar. If Kruger can land a superstar, one and done type player two be a freshman in 2015, I think OU can be a final four contender. OU might be able to be a final four contender without that player.

 

[WTSooner]

It was interesting trying to predict where the points would come from in the offseason. Most on here, including myself, had Hield and Cam as 1-2. I didn't think that Woodard, Spangler and especially Cousins. would score like they have! The scary thing is that Hornbeak was yet to get it together and he is a guy who can hit from deep and get to the rim.

Some of that is a product of two things. One, not being very deep. Especially with the inside guys. Secondly, the pace that we played at during most of our OOC schedule. I had doubts as to whether we'd actually play that fast, but we did. So the guys had a lot of run outs, and simply a higher volume of shots between them.

I'd be curious, at the end of the season, to compare this team's average number of offensive possessions per game to some of Kelvin's teams, and some of Billy's.

 

[AdaSooner]

I thought our scoring would be balanced, but didn't dream that we'd have five players averaging double figures. I also didn't expect two of our players to average more than 15 points per game. Romero led the team in scoring last year at 16 ppg. No one else was closer than 11.6 (Pledger) and only three players were in double figures.

This team's offense has been a complete surprise for me. I was certain they would have to rely on defense to win games this year. Boy, was I wrong!

 

[BigTime]

Some of that is a product of two things. One, not being very deep. Especially with the inside guys. Secondly, the pace that we played at during most of our OOC schedule. I had doubts as to whether we'd actually play that fast, but we did. So the guys had a lot of run outs, and simply a higher volume of shots between them.

I'd be curious, at the end of the season, to compare this team's average number of offensive possessions per game to some of Kelvin's teams, and some of Billy's.

This is true. I still think Cousins would be scoring at a high clip even if we slowed it down. I am so impressed with his confidence and shooting technique this year - both big improvements!

 

[DenverSooner]

What if Booker improves as much as Cousins this off season?

 

[AdaSooner]

This is true. I still think Cousins would be scoring at a high clip even if we slowed it down. I am so impressed with his confidence and shooting technique this year - both big improvements!

It's not just Cousins. Spangler is having a great season. Despite Buddy being hampered by an injury, he's playing really well. Cam is having the best season of his career. So is Tyler. Our two freshmen (Booker and Woodard) are pretty darned solid for first year players. It's hard to say if Hornbeak is better at this point. He has been injured on and off since the season started. We can't be sure about Bennett either, because there is nothing to use as a benchmark.

My point is that all of these players have benefited from good coaching. That, and a lot of hard work in the off season. I can't think of any other way to explain the improvements we've seen.

 

[Max Power]

What if Booker improves as much as Cousins this off season?

Dont tease me with a good time

 

[opsooner]

It is really nice to not worry when someone takes a shot on this team - they can all make it. Additionally, you are not concerned whether one of them gets fouled.

For any other old guys the most balanced team I ever recall at OU was 1978-79 (agree with stoopified):

Beal
Curry
McCullough
Stotts
Whitley
Carrabine (off bench)

1987-88 would also be right there but a little different because you're talking about 4 NBA draft picks from those starters. That might never happen at OU again.

 

[DenverSooner]

1987-88 would also be right there but a little different because you're talking about 4 NBA draft picks from those starters. That might never happen at OU again.

That was the team that made me a huge OU basketball fan. I followed basketball my first two years at OU to some degree but that year I watched or went to all of the games. From that season forward I attended virtually very home game for 6 years. I think I had more fun at the basketball games than the football games. It amazes me that students don't attend because it was truly one of my favorite parts of college.

 

[BigTime]

Dont tease me with a good time

Lol