Sam
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3 days in and here is what I've noticed about the Sooner basketball team.
We're just talking practice and we still have 4 weeks till the season starts but I'm really liking how Pledger is playing and carrying himself. Right now of the returning players he appears to have benefited the most from the offseason.
He looks a little slimmer but overall he's playing with some confidence right now. Knocking down some shots, aggressive on defense, reminiscent of the outburst vs Iowa St. Gotta think that the new coaching staff has to have some hand in the "new look" Pledger. Its only October so it will be fun to see if this continues and carries into the season.
On the note of returning players improvement, Blair is probably next after Pledger. I too think the new staff has to be one factor in this. Blair's handle looks stronger and he just seems more in control. He's got the D-1 experience and I'll never discredit experience especially at the D-1 level. Grooms is more athletic and I continue to be impressed by the leadership he has shown in practice but Blair won't give up the job without a fight. I think the competition for the point guard spot will be good for both of them and the team overall.
On Grooms, I think his build compares very favorable to Quannas as asked before. Wide shoulders, etc. Well put together dude and a solid 6'0. He sees the court well in transition, as mentioned before, great potential. I do think it has showed some, especially in the half court, but the difference in juco vs D-1 speed will be a learning curve.
Arent shows simliar signs of not being used to the pace or the strength (noticed this on both of them when it comes to finishing through contact) of their teammates when compared to the juco level. The more time they spend practicing and playing and the learning curve should disappear but for now its there.
Newell might be the best "just throw the ball to him and tell him to go score guy" that is eligible to play. It showed today in some of the 5 on 5 they did before the scrimmage and showed during the scrimmage itself. He's got a nice first step, can create some separation on his J and when he doesn't need to worry about anything else, he's an effective scorer. On the AAU circuit its called the "Do Him" offense and if the Sooners ever need someone "did", Newell looks like the best bet.
Arent, very aggressive on the glass, great motor, energetic, enthusiastic, etc. Needs to learn to finish better, has some Courtney Paris moments where he gets 3 or 4 offensive rebounds to finish the play. That works vs his smaller teammates for now, but later on I'm not so sure. He also has good end to end speed, when it comes to running the floor and filling the lane he excels. I worry about the lateral part, his feet look heavy, could come into play when trying to cover quicker posts.
Clark looks similar to last year. Still at his best catching and shooting at various levels. Occasionally slashes to the hoop and has some breathtaking finish. If the Sooners do run more he will be a benefactor of it.
Osby has been quiet so far, in some ways he reminds me of Ace McGhee. Looks the part, has potential but is quiet for now. He's likely the strongest on the team and could be a really good rebounder with the right motor.
I will say one of the best things about open practices will be watching M'baye work. The guy is just impressive in so many ways. He looks like he could be a NBA small forward, especially when he steps out and covers Cam Clark well. Its so often that he grabs the board and pushes it up the court himself and its completely natural looking. The other thing that has stuck out for me is his willingness to mix it up down low. He fights on the block for rebounds and he's winning a lot of those fights. Given the European stereotypes, I wasn't expecting that.
I think Fran Fraschilla says it best on him.
Thats all I have. Not sure if I'm making practice tomorrow, its at 2 PM if anyone else is interested in attending.
We're just talking practice and we still have 4 weeks till the season starts but I'm really liking how Pledger is playing and carrying himself. Right now of the returning players he appears to have benefited the most from the offseason.
He looks a little slimmer but overall he's playing with some confidence right now. Knocking down some shots, aggressive on defense, reminiscent of the outburst vs Iowa St. Gotta think that the new coaching staff has to have some hand in the "new look" Pledger. Its only October so it will be fun to see if this continues and carries into the season.
On the note of returning players improvement, Blair is probably next after Pledger. I too think the new staff has to be one factor in this. Blair's handle looks stronger and he just seems more in control. He's got the D-1 experience and I'll never discredit experience especially at the D-1 level. Grooms is more athletic and I continue to be impressed by the leadership he has shown in practice but Blair won't give up the job without a fight. I think the competition for the point guard spot will be good for both of them and the team overall.
On Grooms, I think his build compares very favorable to Quannas as asked before. Wide shoulders, etc. Well put together dude and a solid 6'0. He sees the court well in transition, as mentioned before, great potential. I do think it has showed some, especially in the half court, but the difference in juco vs D-1 speed will be a learning curve.
Arent shows simliar signs of not being used to the pace or the strength (noticed this on both of them when it comes to finishing through contact) of their teammates when compared to the juco level. The more time they spend practicing and playing and the learning curve should disappear but for now its there.
Newell might be the best "just throw the ball to him and tell him to go score guy" that is eligible to play. It showed today in some of the 5 on 5 they did before the scrimmage and showed during the scrimmage itself. He's got a nice first step, can create some separation on his J and when he doesn't need to worry about anything else, he's an effective scorer. On the AAU circuit its called the "Do Him" offense and if the Sooners ever need someone "did", Newell looks like the best bet.
Arent, very aggressive on the glass, great motor, energetic, enthusiastic, etc. Needs to learn to finish better, has some Courtney Paris moments where he gets 3 or 4 offensive rebounds to finish the play. That works vs his smaller teammates for now, but later on I'm not so sure. He also has good end to end speed, when it comes to running the floor and filling the lane he excels. I worry about the lateral part, his feet look heavy, could come into play when trying to cover quicker posts.
Clark looks similar to last year. Still at his best catching and shooting at various levels. Occasionally slashes to the hoop and has some breathtaking finish. If the Sooners do run more he will be a benefactor of it.
Osby has been quiet so far, in some ways he reminds me of Ace McGhee. Looks the part, has potential but is quiet for now. He's likely the strongest on the team and could be a really good rebounder with the right motor.
I will say one of the best things about open practices will be watching M'baye work. The guy is just impressive in so many ways. He looks like he could be a NBA small forward, especially when he steps out and covers Cam Clark well. Its so often that he grabs the board and pushes it up the court himself and its completely natural looking. The other thing that has stuck out for me is his willingness to mix it up down low. He fights on the block for rebounds and he's winning a lot of those fights. Given the European stereotypes, I wasn't expecting that.
I think Fran Fraschilla says it best on him.
Sooner fans will love Amath M'Baye, the 6-8 Wyoming transfer who could All- Big 12 in time.
Thats all I have. Not sure if I'm making practice tomorrow, its at 2 PM if anyone else is interested in attending.