Three more games

[AdaSooner]

I’m pleased with our depth. Nine players on our roster logged double figures in minutes today. Only two, Young and James, played thirty or more.

Three more games and Doolittle, a starter on last year’s team, will be eligible to practice again. Two of those games are against North Texas and UTSA in the LNC. USC in LA is obviously the toughest challenge.

I realize Doolittle will be a bit rusty from his time away, but he will give us another quality player, as well as a physical scorer and defender we need right now. Kristian was also our second best rebounder last year.

I’ll be thrilled if we can sneak out a win against USC and finish his absence with a 8-1 record. To be honest, 7-2 won’t be bad either.

 

[oudna]

It’s hard not to get excited about what we’ve seen.

 

[usedtobe1]

It will be interesting to see how much playing time Doolittle gets initially. They play Wichita State the day he becomes eligible on Dec 16th. Tough game. They actually play 3 games in the first 6 days he's back, and don't play again until the first B12 conference game on Dec against TCU.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

It will be interesting to see how much playing time Doolittle gets initially. They play Wichita State the day he becomes eligible on Dec 16th. Tough game. They actually play 3 games in the first 6 days he's back, and don't play again until the first B12 conference game on Dec against TCU.

he's gotta play a ton the last two games before B12 play IMO. Too talented last year not to get back on the court. The issue is, who gets pushed to the 10th man in the rotation playing maybe 10 minutes a game?

 

[AdaSooner]

It will be interesting to see how much playing time Doolittle gets initially. They play Wichita State the day he becomes eligible on Dec 16th. Tough game. They actually play 3 games in the first 6 days he's back, and don't play again until the first B12 conference game on Dec against TCU.

I’m fairly certain December 9th is the day he reportedly will be able to practice again. If that date is correct, he’ll have one week to participate in practice sessions and to get his game legs and rhythm back. It won’t be enough, but it’s better than nothing.

As for the tenth man in our rotation, I think the nine that played yesterday plus Doolittle will fill those spots. That doesn’t leave many minutes for Lazenby except at mop up time. I think Doolittle has an advantage over Manek on defense and in rebounding. By the same token, Manek has a slight edge on offense, so it won’t be easy for Doolittle to win his starting job back. I also see having two starters available for the same position as a good problem to have.

I’m not sure how the minutes between the sixth through ten spots will play out? My guess is it will defend on match ups and the players’ ability to earn more minutes through their performance.

 

[usedtobe1]

Finals week doesn't end until Friday, Dec 15th and Doolittle can't start participating in team activities until the next day which is the day of the Wichita State game.

Here's the finals schedule: http://www.ou.edu/enrollment/final_exams/fall_semester_final.html

 

[AdaSooner]

In that case, the date I was given was wrong or I simply misunderstood what I was told. It wouldn’t be the first time.

 

[CoachTalk]

"The final day of fall classes is on Dec. 8, and the next day, he could return to practice. He would miss eight games, with his potential return on Dec. 16 against No. 7 Wichita State"


Last day of class vs Finals week (doesnt count)

Dec. 8th is the last day of class and he can return the 9th. Next game is WSU on the 16th

 

[Capel's Mustache]

"The final day of fall classes is on Dec. 8, and the next day, he could return to practice. He would miss eight games, with his potential return on Dec. 16 against No. 7 Wichita State"


Last day of class vs Finals week (doesnt count)

Dec. 8th is the last day of class and he can return the 9th. Next game is WSU on the 16th

Coach - any info on how he (Doo)looks?

 

[CoachTalk]

Coach - any info on how he (Doo)looks?

Coach - any info on how he (Doo)looks?

Dont have an answer to that. I sent a message. I'll see if I can get some info.

Last I (read), he was still working out at MSM HS near the city. Ill bet I get a great report back. 3.5 months away from OU coaches. I know they had him all summer until school started in mid Aug. I assume there was a specific plan for him going forward when he was away from the team.


I think he will bounce back. Avg 9+ PPG and 6.5 reb. We could use both of those again this year!!

 

[CoachTalk]

Coach - any info on how he (Doo)looks?

Didnt take long for a response!


"He's good. He WILL be ready next week"

"He can be a pro"

 

[usedtobe1]

Here's links's to 2 articles about Doolittle. The first one is about him being eligible Dec 9th: http://www.normantranscript.com/spo...cle_dd88ef60-83bf-54d8-a4f6-fb7e096bc9e4.html

The second is about his workout routine during his time off.
http://www.normantranscript.com/spo...cle_24d469ae-c29d-11e7-8bdb-93d4362d40c7.html

 

[OULad]

Didnt take long for a response!


"He's good. He WILL be ready next week"

"He can be a pro"

If this is the case then our stock really goes up in my eyes. We need one more good player to make a run this year.

 

[coolm]

I appreciate that tidbit of information. thx coach! certainly makes me feel better about our hopes once he gets back.

 

[coolm]

I still think we should offer brian bowen.

 

[AdaSooner]

Here's links's to 2 articles about Doolittle. The first one is about him being eligible Dec 9th: http://www.normantranscript.com/spo...cle_dd88ef60-83bf-54d8-a4f6-fb7e096bc9e4.html

The second is about his workout routine during his time off.
http://www.normantranscript.com/spo...cle_24d469ae-c29d-11e7-8bdb-93d4362d40c7.html

Great news for Doolittle and the team! We’ll need a player like him in the Big 12 portion of our schedule. Good to hear he has continued to work on his game while he was away!

 

[sperry]

Good to see he has been working out at MSM. Kellen McCoy is the head coach there, former very good D1 college player, OU grad assistant, and D1 assistant coach. Perfect guy for Doolittle to be around during his suspension.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I'm a bit surprised some here think he won't be in playing shape....it's not like he's sitting around eating bon bons.

Yeah there may be some "timing" with teammates but I'm sure (as has been stated) he has a very strict routine....and is following it religiously. I guess I just assumed this would be the case for a D1 athlete trying to get his "spot" back. That's just me though.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm a bit surprised some here think he won't be in playing shape....it's not like he's sitting around eating bon bons.

Yeah there may be some "timing" with teammates but I'm sure (as has been stated) he has a very strict routine....and is following it religiously. I guess I just assumed this would be the case for a D1 athlete trying to get his "spot" back. That's just me though.

I may be the one who gave that impression when I said Doolittle may be a little “rusty” when he returns. You’re right when you say his timing with his teammates could be off some. That’s definitely part of what I meant. But, I also think there is also a difference in conditioning and “game shape.” Getting into game shape is the final tweaking a conditioned athlete goes through you can’t always get from practice sessions and team workouts.

I’ll admit that “rule of thumb” as I see it, may not be the same for everyone.

 

[CoachTalk]

Lon confirmed Dec. 16th return date for Doolittle yesterday.