Just got home from Norman. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the game against Tech. This is only the second game I've seen in the Lloyd Noble Center. Thought I would share some of my thoughts. The game was an absolute whirlwind so it's going to be hard for me to remember specifics. I'll try to be as positive as I can because at this point there is no reason to be super negative.
1. The energy was great. There were definitely times where the gym was quieter then you'd hoped but I thought the overall atmosphere was great. The gym went absolutely nuts when Oweh got that steal and jam in the second half and it was awesome. The Lloyd Noble center is far from the problem with this team. I think it's a fun place to watch basketball.
2. OU definitely has the athletes. OU did not lose because they were not athletic enough. in fact, I would argue that OU was more athletic than Tech. The only thing they're missing is an athletic big man. Yaya absolutely looks like he could be, but that's probably just a pipe dream.
3. There were alot of Tech fans there (relatively). They clearly travel well. There seems to be alot of passion in their fan base. Something that just seems to be lacking at OU (obviously a whole other conversation).
4. I thought OU's offense overall was pretty good. It did not start good but Moser made the needed adjustments and things got better. I liked some of the off the ball screens, double screens, and just overall movement of the offense. I never, for once, thought OU was in trouble because the offense.
5. Jalon Moore's energy and bounce is as advertised but man he is almost a walking turnover. He needs to be a slasher. Two dribbles, get to the rim, or jump stop and kick out. There was one time where he posted up, got the ball, dribbled too many times and then turned it over. I mean it was so hard to watch.
6. Soares might need to start. I'm not exactly sure for who but he was the best guard today bar none. He's long, athletic, and plays so hard. Say what you want about Moser but kudos for him for bringing in Soares. OU loses by 10+ without him, imo.
7. I am now in the "Darthard needs to play less camp." He was a liabilty on defense and his shot is not good right now. I really really don't think you would lose much bringing in Cooper more. "But Cooper's defense isn't good enough." Well Darthard's hasn't been either. "Cooper might not score enough." Well Darthard was like 1/5 from three. Get the young guy some reps and see what he can do. And I really didn't think that until watching in person.
8. Godwin played like a champ.
9. This team is infinitely better when Uzan is more aggressive. He was night and day different from the first half to the second half and it showed.
10. I don't have much to say for JM other than he had a tough day. That happens. The team is deep enough they don't actually need him to score 20 to win.
11. My last point. We would not even be having these conversations if they make their darn free throws. 62% is awful. That's the game right there. Basketball is such a simple sport. OU wins handily if they shoot 80%+from the line and I firmly believe that.
Overall, I had a blast at the game. I love watching Sooner basketball, and would go to every home game if I lived closer. But, it's just sad to be a fan right now. Every freaking season since Buddy has been disappointing to one degree or the next. It feels like OU basketball is just trapped in this vortex of mediocracy and can't escape. It's easy to harken back to the "glory days" under Lon, but I remember just as much disappointment then. It just feels like OU has slowly been falling over the edge since about 2016.
There is a tonne of basketball left to be played, so there is still hope. The potential for this team is absolutely there. As disappointing as the last two games were I still think they can put together a string of wins and get over the hump. I hope I'm right!
1. The energy was great. There were definitely times where the gym was quieter then you'd hoped but I thought the overall atmosphere was great. The gym went absolutely nuts when Oweh got that steal and jam in the second half and it was awesome. The Lloyd Noble center is far from the problem with this team. I think it's a fun place to watch basketball.
2. OU definitely has the athletes. OU did not lose because they were not athletic enough. in fact, I would argue that OU was more athletic than Tech. The only thing they're missing is an athletic big man. Yaya absolutely looks like he could be, but that's probably just a pipe dream.
3. There were alot of Tech fans there (relatively). They clearly travel well. There seems to be alot of passion in their fan base. Something that just seems to be lacking at OU (obviously a whole other conversation).
4. I thought OU's offense overall was pretty good. It did not start good but Moser made the needed adjustments and things got better. I liked some of the off the ball screens, double screens, and just overall movement of the offense. I never, for once, thought OU was in trouble because the offense.
5. Jalon Moore's energy and bounce is as advertised but man he is almost a walking turnover. He needs to be a slasher. Two dribbles, get to the rim, or jump stop and kick out. There was one time where he posted up, got the ball, dribbled too many times and then turned it over. I mean it was so hard to watch.
6. Soares might need to start. I'm not exactly sure for who but he was the best guard today bar none. He's long, athletic, and plays so hard. Say what you want about Moser but kudos for him for bringing in Soares. OU loses by 10+ without him, imo.
7. I am now in the "Darthard needs to play less camp." He was a liabilty on defense and his shot is not good right now. I really really don't think you would lose much bringing in Cooper more. "But Cooper's defense isn't good enough." Well Darthard's hasn't been either. "Cooper might not score enough." Well Darthard was like 1/5 from three. Get the young guy some reps and see what he can do. And I really didn't think that until watching in person.
8. Godwin played like a champ.
9. This team is infinitely better when Uzan is more aggressive. He was night and day different from the first half to the second half and it showed.
10. I don't have much to say for JM other than he had a tough day. That happens. The team is deep enough they don't actually need him to score 20 to win.
11. My last point. We would not even be having these conversations if they make their darn free throws. 62% is awful. That's the game right there. Basketball is such a simple sport. OU wins handily if they shoot 80%+from the line and I firmly believe that.
Overall, I had a blast at the game. I love watching Sooner basketball, and would go to every home game if I lived closer. But, it's just sad to be a fan right now. Every freaking season since Buddy has been disappointing to one degree or the next. It feels like OU basketball is just trapped in this vortex of mediocracy and can't escape. It's easy to harken back to the "glory days" under Lon, but I remember just as much disappointment then. It just feels like OU has slowly been falling over the edge since about 2016.
There is a tonne of basketball left to be played, so there is still hope. The potential for this team is absolutely there. As disappointing as the last two games were I still think they can put together a string of wins and get over the hump. I hope I'm right!
