Too Early to Panic

[ArdmoreSooner]

I agree this team is not destined for the Final Four or anything, but they do have a lot of room to grow. 4 significant players are having to get use to Div. I or back after laying out for a year and with a new team and new system. New roles for some also add into the mix. If this team doesn't show improvement by Big XII play then yes they will get creamed in conference play and miss tournament again. I think they will get better as non conference play goes along.

 

[MsProudSooner]

For some people, it's never too early to panic.....

 

[pnkranger]

If we're still this disjointed on January 1, I will start getting concerned...

But Lon gets 3 years before I really start to panic.

 

[steverocks35]

I thought they would be more organized and less sloppy and careless at this point. It was very disappointing.

 

[WTSooner]

I thought they would be more organized and less sloppy and careless at this point. It was very disappointing.

Good teams will play sloppy, careless, disorganized basketball in February and March. It happens. Lets see how we play the next few games before jumping to conclusions. We're playing a lot of young guys in key spots. We're going to struggle at times all season for that reason.

 

[WaymanFan]

I'm not panicking, but starting to think we may have to shorten the bench a little. I'd like to see more of Fitz and less of Tyler. Andrew needs to get into a flow, and I think his scoring will follow once that happens. I would also like to see more plays run for Pledge. When we needed a basket against UTA and UTEP, he delivered with a timely 3 both times. That's the guy who needs to be shooting from outside the paint when we start getting into scoring draughts.

 

[AdaSooner]

There is no way a team that shoots under 26% (22% from three) in the first half is going to look good. Those percentages improved some in the second half, but we still nded the game with a subpar 32% average from the field.

Give the Zags credit for playing great defense. Yet, OU missed a lot of makable shots that could not be blamed on good defense. The Zags are clearly a better team. But much of what we saw on Friday was a case of players failing to play to their potential.

I agree, it's way too early to throw in the towel on this team. I didn't like some of the things I saw in Friday's game. For that matter, I haven't been in awe of the performances I've seen since the first exhibition game. That's not to say that I haven't seen signs that point to a team with enough talent to make some waves by the start of conference play. Question is, will they come together and perform as one unit by then? Wish I had the answer to that one.

 

[Darwin]

yes it is too early to panic. we just beat wv, let's not over hype or panic because it's November! Boomer Sooner

 

[ArdmoreSooner]

I'm not panicking, but starting to think we may have to shorten the bench a little. I'd like to see more of Fitz and less of Tyler. Andrew needs to get into a flow, and I think his scoring will follow once that happens. I would also like to see more plays run for Pledge. When we needed a basket against UTA and UTEP, he delivered with a timely 3 both times. That's the guy who needs to be shooting from outside the paint when we start getting into scoring draughts.

I think as we get closer to conference play you will see the bench's minutes dwindle some. That was the case last year as well. Of course foul trouble always plays a role into minutes plus who is knocking down shots.

Two of our better shooters didn't shoot well in this tourney to me (Pledger/Hield) So if their shots return I see our offense improved and our defense is already better. Sunday was a game this team lost last year. If they win those this year they are definitely a bubble team.

 

[suncoastsooner]

If we're still this disjointed on January 1, I will start getting concerned...

But Lon gets 3 years before I really start to panic.

If we keep steadily improving, which I think we have this season compared to last, I think Lon deserves at least four years. He undertook a massive rebuilding job in Norman in all aspects.

I'm not panicking, but starting to think we may have to shorten the bench a little. I'd like to see more of Fitz and less of Tyler. Andrew needs to get into a flow, and I think his scoring will follow once that happens. I would also like to see more plays run for Pledge. When we needed a basket against UTA and UTEP, he delivered with a timely 3 both times. That's the guy who needs to be shooting from outside the paint when we start getting into scoring draughts.

This Tyler has looked really poor. I'd like to see more Fitz and even more Pledger as well. Maybe play small to get Pledger some more time on the court. We are going to get out-rebounded most nights come conference play anyway so I wouldmn't mind mitigating that by spreading the ball out some more around the perimeter. Fitz's mid range shot would definitely open up the court a little bit more.

 

[campbest]

I'm not panicking, but starting to think we may have to shorten the bench a little. I'd like to see more of Fitz and less of Tyler. Andrew needs to get into a flow, and I think his scoring will follow once that happens. I would also like to see more plays run for Pledge. When we needed a basket against UTA and UTEP, he delivered with a timely 3 both times. That's the guy who needs to be shooting from outside the paint when we start getting into scoring draughts.

Shortening the bench happens for every team once conference starts...coaches are still experimenting with lineups, matchups, etc.

 

[SoonerinNC]

I don't think we will shorten the bench that much. Kruger has a history of going 9-10 deep and we have 10 that can play.

Neal will get the fewest minutes but will play because our bigs will get into foul trouble and we need 3 bigs rotating. I'm not so sure that Neal has played that badly. He got beat real bad in one of the Orlando games but it was a mismatch. He has averaged 10 minutes a game and averaged 2.8 points and over 3 rebounds per game. 2 TO's and 2 steals. His rebounds per minute played is higher than anyone except Osby. He has some value and is one of the best free shots on the team.

Osby, Pledger and M'Baye have averaged under 25 minutes per game and that should increase as I would expect them to play closer to 30 minutes a game. That will probably reduce minutes for Neal and some of the guards. Question is whether it will be the freshmen or Grooms or Clark.