Tone of this board has sure changed

[Big Old Booger]

Just a few weeks back (maybe 3-4) we had posters complaining about Cam and Fitz not starting and that the frosh don't look very good.

Now 2,3,4 weeks later we are 2-0 in the conference with 2 good wins, the frosh are playing pretty well, Cam had an uptick in playing time, and Fitz appears to be the solid role player he should have always been.

Hard to believe where we were 2 years ago at this time, watching a poorly coached team with some talent but certainly not top-tier Big 12 talent. I like the job Kruger has done and expect it's only going to get better, however, I would be surprised if the first 2 games are proof of what this team actually is. I think we could easily lose 8-9 conference games (I'm hoping for 8 at the most) but we are definitely on the upswing.

The ride is about to get very fun especially for those of us OU basketball fans who remained fans during the tough years.

:krugs :OUbball-logo:

 

[tycat947]

I agree. I get frustrated like everyone else but try to realize it won't all fix itself with the snap of my fingers! I believe Lon knows what he's doing even though it's never quick enough!

 

[skyvue]

I think we could easily lose 8-9 conference games (I'm hoping for 8 at the most)

Sure, we could, but there's nothing that says we will. The team's getting better, not worse, and barring injuries, there's nothing that points to a prolonged downslide in our level of play during the season.

Of course, we've got some opponents ahead of us who could beat us even if we continue to improve and play well against them, but I only see a couple of conference teams that I think are definitely better than us. There are several that might be considered our equal, and against teams like that, anything can happen.

But who's to say that our freshman won't continue to improve, that M'Baye won't continue to grow more comfortable and confident?

I'm not guaranteeing anything, mind you, but I'm definitely of the "Rule Nothing Out" school of thought as regards this team.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Sure, we could, but there's nothing that says we will. The team's getting better, not worse, and barring injuries, there's nothing that points to a prolonged downslide in our level of play during the season.

Of course, we've got some opponents ahead of us who could beat us even if we continue to improve and play well against them, but I only see a couple of conference teams that I think are definitely better than us. There are several that might be considered our equal, and against teams like that, anything can happen.

But who's to say that our freshman won't continue to improve, that M'Baye won't continue to grow more comfortable and confident?

I'm not guaranteeing anything, mind you, but I'm definitely of the "Rule Nothing Out" school of thought as regards this team.

I don't disagree with you at all, but if what Fran and other so-called experts say is true, then 2-7 in this conference is a toss-up. 2nd place will probably end with 3-4 losses and 7th will end with 10-12 losses.

I see 2 wins vs TCU and possibly 2 vs Tech, but Tech put it on us last year in Lubbock so who knows.
I also see 2 losses vs KU. We could beat them in Norman if everything aligns perfectly though.
I also think we will complete the sweep of WVa.
OSU will be tough to beat in Stillwater.

The other games will be toss-ups for the most part with the home team winning most. If we can pull some Kelvin late game magic we may take our share of road games however this is a young team and our guard play down the stretch of the OSU game tells me we may struggle against a full court press. I expect to see other teams pressing us quite a bit based off Saturday's game. If we don't have a big lead down the stretch and are left to depend on our guard play vs a full court press we may lose more than any of us think, but I think we will get better vs the press.

I say all of that to say I'm not giving up on losing less than 8, but I won't be upset if we lose 9. Year 3 of the Kruger regime and we are further along at this point than many thought we would be, including myself.

 

[tycat947]

I think the whorns can be a possible sweep as well. I'd be surprised if we don't beat them by at least 10-15 points a week from today.

 

[opsooner]

I knew the defense would be OK watching early but the thing that has surprised me the past 2 games is the ball movement on offense and shot selection (well, maybe just the last 12 minutes of the WV game). What a dramatic improvement.

I know it makes all the difference when shots are going in but guys are also squaring up and shooting it in rhythm. LK has also now reduced playing time for the right guys but they are still bringing good effort off the bench and just enough offense to keep us going.

Osby is playing fantastic basketball right now and making everyone else better.

So, what we have now is a 2-0 conference record, the all important HOPE, but also still just 2 games away from a turd loss to SFA that is keeping us from getting too excited.

 

[AdaSooner]

I think the whorns can be a possible sweep as well. I'd be surprised if we don't beat them by at least 10-15 points a week from today.

Yes, but the game in Austin in February will not be nearly as easy with Kabongo back. He's not only a good player, he's the true point guard UT is missing right now. I still think we'll win, I'm just not as confident with a player like him in the lineup.

 

[MI Sooner]

If 2-7 are a toss up, who is in 8-10 along with TCU and TTU? Texas?

Also, I'd be absolutely shocked if the 2nd place team has only 3 losses.

 

[scrybe]

Booger: You're right about the change in the tone of the board; it's something that's been very noticeable lately. Amazing what winning will do, not only for a team and program, but also for message board posters like all of us at OUHoops.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

how refreshing to actually see ball movement!

 

[skyvue]

So, what we have now is a 2-0 conference record, the all important HOPE, but also still just 2 games away from a turd loss to SFA that is keeping us from getting too excited.

I'm sorry to be pedantic, but we are not two games away from our loss to SFA -- we're four weeks and four solid wins removed from it: Ohio (whom many predicted would beat us), TA&MCC (bad team, but we rolled), WV (double-digit comeback win on the road) and oswho. Why is that SFA game afforded more importance by so many of our fans than the three impressive wins (plus the gimme) that have followed it?

And SFA is 14-1. They're pretty good team -- very possibly a tourney team -- and we were within a whisper's breath of winning that one. A frustrating loss, yes; a "turd loss"? That's an overstatement, in my opinion.

 

[WTSooner]

And SFA is 14-1. They're pretty good team -- very possibly a tourney team -- and we were within a whisper's breath of winning that one. A frustrating loss, yes; a "turd loss"? That's an overstatement, in my opinion.

They may be. But using 14-1 to try and prove that, when they've played a scheduled ranked in the 300's according to Ken Pom, is a bit misleading.

They've played two teams worth a darn. aTm beat them by 8. They beat us by 1. We didn't lose to them b/c they are a "good" team. We lost to them b/c we weren't playing very good basketball at the time.

 

[opsooner]

I'm sorry to be pedantic, but we are not two games away from our loss to SFA -- we're four weeks and four solid wins removed from it: Ohio (whom many predicted would beat us), TA&MCC (bad team, but we rolled), WV (double-digit comeback win on the road) and oswho. Why is that SFA game afforded more importance by so many of our fans than the three impressive wins (plus the gimme) that have followed it?

And SFA is 14-1. They're pretty good team -- very possibly a tourney team -- and we were within a whisper's breath of winning that one. A frustrating loss, yes; a "turd loss"? That's an overstatement, in my opinion.

Yes, you are right - should have said 4 games. I agree that SFA is a good team but we did look awful that night - no emotion, no offense, and not good defense. It's nothing against SFA - just the way we played. I don't know if you need to use the "so many fans" term though. I'm the one who said it.

It does reflect my current mood of guarded optimism though. We played pretty well against ATM (not the CC one) and then stunk it up against SFA the next game. Nevertheless, you are probably just more of an optimist than me :ez-laugh: However, if we can win against Tech and at KSU (or even play solid ball at KSU) then I will start getting there!!! I'll be going to the KU game and am looking forward to seeing if we can play sold there as well.

 

[skyvue]

They may be. But using 14-1 to try and prove that, when they've played a scheduled ranked in the 300's according to Ken Pom, is a bit misleading.

They've played two teams worth a darn. aTm beat them by 8. They beat us by 1. We didn't lose to them b/c they are a "good" team. We lost to them b/c we weren't playing very good basketball at the time.

Fitting you should mention A&M, since we'd just beaten them by 10 the game before losing to SFA.

Stated another way, we're 5-1 over our past six games, beating an A&M team by double digits that just beat Kentucky, an Ohio team by double digits that was in the Sweet 16 last season, a WV team by double digits on the road, and oswho by nine in a game we never trailed in.

You want to focus on a one-point, very-near-miss loss to a 14-1 team, have at it. But honestly, I don't get it. I haven't forgotten that loss and I'm not trying to gloss over it, but it sure seems as if some of you have forgotten some of the solid wins of the past five -- not one, not two, but five -- weeks.

 

[stormspencer]

I'm sorry to be pedantic, but we are not two games away from our loss to SFA -- we're four weeks and four solid wins removed from it: Ohio (whom many predicted would beat us), TA&MCC (bad team, but we rolled), WV (double-digit comeback win on the road) and oswho. Why is that SFA game afforded more importance by so many of our fans than the three impressive wins (plus the gimme) that have followed it?

And SFA is 14-1. They're pretty good team -- very possibly a tourney team -- and we were within a whisper's breath of winning that one. A frustrating loss, yes; a "turd loss"? That's an overstatement, in my opinion.

Totally agree on the SFA loss. There is still a bit of hand-wringing over that loss. As of today, SFA is tournament team. They will probably win their conference anyway. The only reason the uninformed basketball "fans" consider that loss a "bad loss" is because of the name on the front of their jerseys. Should we lose to SFA at home?....of course not, but they are a good team. And when we don't play well, chances are that we are going to lose to good teams. Having said that, the loss to SFA was a month ago and there is no argument that this team has made noticeable improvements since that game. It's time for some to move on.

 

[skyvue]

Also, SFA is 31st in the country in shooting percentage (we're 224th) and 16th in assists (we're 241st). Even given their opponents, those are impressive stats.

They also played ORU and Tulsa, which might be considered decent teams. They rolled big over Tulsa and beat ORU by ten more points than we did.

 

[badger]

The ride is about to get very fun especially for those of us OU basketball fans who remained fans during the tough years.

I come here for optimism and enthusiasm.

I return to SF.com to try to spread some of it.

 

[DenverSooner]

Didn't OU play SFA without Grooms? Say what you want about Grooms but I think he is a solid player that helps this team.

 

[skyvue]

Didn't OU play SFA without Grooms? Say what you want about Grooms but I think he is a solid player that helps this team.

Yes, we did, and I agree that he could have been made enough of a difference to secure the win, though Hornbeak had a decent showing that night -- 12 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 2 TOs.

It was in the paint that we struggled. Fitz, Osby and M'Baye combined for just 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting, which suggests we had trouble getting the ball in to them. Grooms might have been difference in that regard.

 

[opsooner]

Also, SFA is 31st in the country in shooting percentage (we're 224th) and 16th in assists (we're 241st). Even given their opponents, those are impressive stats.

They also played ORU and Tulsa, which might be considered decent teams. They rolled big over Tulsa and beat ORU by ten more points than we did.

But did you watch us play ORU and SFA? Those games (although I hope they are behind us) are my reason for tempered optimism.