Sam
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Got the opportunity to attend the practice today and thought I would share my views on the players. If anybody else was there it would be great if you could post your views as well.
TMG and Tiny
I know it's just practice and all, along with these guys being young freshman but these two are just so talented. For a while it seemed like they were the best on the court. Tiny was hitting the glass better today and even took the ball up once after a board and had a mini fast break. TMG's court vision is just amazing, he is such a great passer. Man it is awesome to have a true PG on this team, plus he can hit it from deep. Showed some good moves on the drive from drawing the fouls, but I think this could be a possible trouble error since he is young and might not get the calls this year (could lead to charges or bad shot attempts) but his ability to slash is going to be big. Tiny is also just a bad bad man, he was showing off some nice one on one moves as he would drive and hit a mid range j or just do a good job of finishing. You can tell he feels good with all the weight he lost, he is much more active than he looked in high school and this is most likely the best shape of his life. I bet these guys will have some growing pains some as they adjust to d 1 ball (Tiny needs to be careful when hitting the glass as he could pick up some cheap fouls that way) but these two have some much potential and they could turn this into a great season.
Pledger vs Willis vs Cade
The battle for the wing minutes was interesting today as Cade didn't get asmuch PT and ended up leaving practice a little early. Not sure if he was sick or something but he didn't play as much as either Ray or Steve. Ray showed his ability to score as he hit some mid range jumpers and appeared to be hustling on the boards more. I think if Ray could develop into a good rebounder it would be his key to minutes given his wingspan and athletic ability. This wasn't Pledger's best shooting day in the scrimmage (still was hitting them but not as good as last time I saw him) but his form is still great. Steve really seems like a smart player as he took advantage of a lapse in boxing out to pick up his own miss and then take it to the hole for an easy lay up. This is really going to be an interesting battle to watch in the early non conference games. Cade isn't going to let either Ray or Steve outwork him and if he can knock down the 3 with consistently he is a good as just about any other guard in the conference off the bench. But both Ray and Steve are hungry for minutes and it appears both are ready to work for them.
Ryan Wright and Tony Crocker
Neither one was that outstanding or really stood out beyond their normal game. Crocker played his good D like normal, hit some J's and played a pretty normal Crocker game. Ryan was active on the boards and continues to look like the best in shape player (much more spring in his jump, quicker off the floor). Ryan showed better hands as well in regards to catching and finishing. Both seem like guys who are ready for their SR season, will do their role and might have some step up games when needed this season.
Orlando Allen vs Andrew Fitzgerald
Right now this seems to be the battle for the 1st big man off the bench. Orlando has a nice size advantage with him being the tallest playing on the team. He is also very vocal on defense, calling out picks and stuff. Still has some issues with finishing around the rim but things seem to be really starting to click for him. Fitz is kinda like Orlando as he has lost a lot of weight and is looking good. Similar to Pledger his mid range J wasn't falling like it was in last practice but he isn't afraid to hustle or battle down low. His long wing span is a really big advantage when he fights on the glass. If I was handicapping this race right now I would give Fitz a small lead over Orlando Allen.
Willie Warren
He was a little quiet early on (in the scrimmage he was playing vs Tiny and TMG and both were having a strong start) but he really turned it on late to lead his team to a comeback victory. Showed some flashes on defense with some nice steals (showtime finish on a fastbreak), he is also like TMG as his court vision has improved a lot. With the way him, Tiny and TMG pass the ball we're going to get to see some sweet highlights, this one bounce pass on the break by Willie was so smooth. It's Willie Warren what else is there to say about a guy who he is one of the best players in the country.
Kyle Hadrick and Barry Honore
Kyle is just a shade under Ryan Wright and is comparable in height to Drew but like the last time I saw him he needs to get stronger. He hit some nice mid range Js during some individual drills. With the depth we have in front of him he is most likely not going to see much floor time. Now before he is done as a Sooner he could end up being a key player as a glue type guy. Barry has lost some more weight (with the way Drew, Tiny and Barry are losing weight it's like having our own version of the biggest loser on the team). Barry has a nice game and if he continues to get into shape he could be a good option next season if we strike out on big men recruits.
Other notes
Longar Longar was there, Capel said he was going to playing in the NBDL this season but did not mention a specific team.
Capel's speech was pretty typical. Talked about the youth and the potential of this team. Gave the students props for selling out season tickets and in general was proud of the turnout at this event (there were quite a few people there, nice to see so much support in Sooner Basketball). Along with the general more people need to show up and rock LNC sentiment.
Capel said he talked with Blake today and Blake is out for about a month and a half with fracture kneecap. Sad deal, sounds like the main thing Blake needs right now is rest and to stay off it. Capel also asked that those that pray to please send some prayers Blake's way.
Overall I was excited to see the amount of people there and see all the talent on the team. This might be the deepest team (at least on paper and based on practice) in a long time. With all the talent these players have it makes practice much more interesting as they're not only fighting hard for PT but they're doing it vs quality players as well.
TMG and Tiny
I know it's just practice and all, along with these guys being young freshman but these two are just so talented. For a while it seemed like they were the best on the court. Tiny was hitting the glass better today and even took the ball up once after a board and had a mini fast break. TMG's court vision is just amazing, he is such a great passer. Man it is awesome to have a true PG on this team, plus he can hit it from deep. Showed some good moves on the drive from drawing the fouls, but I think this could be a possible trouble error since he is young and might not get the calls this year (could lead to charges or bad shot attempts) but his ability to slash is going to be big. Tiny is also just a bad bad man, he was showing off some nice one on one moves as he would drive and hit a mid range j or just do a good job of finishing. You can tell he feels good with all the weight he lost, he is much more active than he looked in high school and this is most likely the best shape of his life. I bet these guys will have some growing pains some as they adjust to d 1 ball (Tiny needs to be careful when hitting the glass as he could pick up some cheap fouls that way) but these two have some much potential and they could turn this into a great season.
Pledger vs Willis vs Cade
The battle for the wing minutes was interesting today as Cade didn't get asmuch PT and ended up leaving practice a little early. Not sure if he was sick or something but he didn't play as much as either Ray or Steve. Ray showed his ability to score as he hit some mid range jumpers and appeared to be hustling on the boards more. I think if Ray could develop into a good rebounder it would be his key to minutes given his wingspan and athletic ability. This wasn't Pledger's best shooting day in the scrimmage (still was hitting them but not as good as last time I saw him) but his form is still great. Steve really seems like a smart player as he took advantage of a lapse in boxing out to pick up his own miss and then take it to the hole for an easy lay up. This is really going to be an interesting battle to watch in the early non conference games. Cade isn't going to let either Ray or Steve outwork him and if he can knock down the 3 with consistently he is a good as just about any other guard in the conference off the bench. But both Ray and Steve are hungry for minutes and it appears both are ready to work for them.
Ryan Wright and Tony Crocker
Neither one was that outstanding or really stood out beyond their normal game. Crocker played his good D like normal, hit some J's and played a pretty normal Crocker game. Ryan was active on the boards and continues to look like the best in shape player (much more spring in his jump, quicker off the floor). Ryan showed better hands as well in regards to catching and finishing. Both seem like guys who are ready for their SR season, will do their role and might have some step up games when needed this season.
Orlando Allen vs Andrew Fitzgerald
Right now this seems to be the battle for the 1st big man off the bench. Orlando has a nice size advantage with him being the tallest playing on the team. He is also very vocal on defense, calling out picks and stuff. Still has some issues with finishing around the rim but things seem to be really starting to click for him. Fitz is kinda like Orlando as he has lost a lot of weight and is looking good. Similar to Pledger his mid range J wasn't falling like it was in last practice but he isn't afraid to hustle or battle down low. His long wing span is a really big advantage when he fights on the glass. If I was handicapping this race right now I would give Fitz a small lead over Orlando Allen.
Willie Warren
He was a little quiet early on (in the scrimmage he was playing vs Tiny and TMG and both were having a strong start) but he really turned it on late to lead his team to a comeback victory. Showed some flashes on defense with some nice steals (showtime finish on a fastbreak), he is also like TMG as his court vision has improved a lot. With the way him, Tiny and TMG pass the ball we're going to get to see some sweet highlights, this one bounce pass on the break by Willie was so smooth. It's Willie Warren what else is there to say about a guy who he is one of the best players in the country.
Kyle Hadrick and Barry Honore
Kyle is just a shade under Ryan Wright and is comparable in height to Drew but like the last time I saw him he needs to get stronger. He hit some nice mid range Js during some individual drills. With the depth we have in front of him he is most likely not going to see much floor time. Now before he is done as a Sooner he could end up being a key player as a glue type guy. Barry has lost some more weight (with the way Drew, Tiny and Barry are losing weight it's like having our own version of the biggest loser on the team). Barry has a nice game and if he continues to get into shape he could be a good option next season if we strike out on big men recruits.
Other notes
Longar Longar was there, Capel said he was going to playing in the NBDL this season but did not mention a specific team.
Capel's speech was pretty typical. Talked about the youth and the potential of this team. Gave the students props for selling out season tickets and in general was proud of the turnout at this event (there were quite a few people there, nice to see so much support in Sooner Basketball). Along with the general more people need to show up and rock LNC sentiment.
Capel said he talked with Blake today and Blake is out for about a month and a half with fracture kneecap. Sad deal, sounds like the main thing Blake needs right now is rest and to stay off it. Capel also asked that those that pray to please send some prayers Blake's way.
Overall I was excited to see the amount of people there and see all the talent on the team. This might be the deepest team (at least on paper and based on practice) in a long time. With all the talent these players have it makes practice much more interesting as they're not only fighting hard for PT but they're doing it vs quality players as well.
