Tough Outcome - Some Positives

[DapperDan]

1. The better TEAM lost. We have a better team, right now. Who knows if Bill will get them going later or not. But right now, we play much better team basketball.

2. Eventually our guys are going to figure out how to wins these types of games. It's really a matter of time.

3. We all know it's a tough league. Road losses against ranked teams are probable. We just need to take care of business at home, and win the games we are supposed to win on the road. If we can steal a couple (@Bay, @ ISU) that's all gravy. The L's @WVU and @KU are no big deal, IMO. The loss against KSU, is a big deal. If we don't let that kind of crap happen again, we will be in really good shape.


PS, Screw KU!

 

[Laxtothemax12]

For #2, it seems like we have been saying this for 2 years...we keep saying they will "learn from this" but eventually you gotta use the knowledge from "learning" and put it into results. Obviously I'd like to blow out every team we play, but I want this team to win a close one for once. I cant praise enough the effort when down 20, but man, we could've won that game

 

[campbest]

1. The better TEAM lost. We have a better team, right now. Who knows if Bill will get them going later or not. But right now, we play much better team basketball.

We put up almost 80 in the Phog and lost, not saying that is our ceiling, but it's not like we can play a ton better. Sure we spotted them 20pts, but they spotted us 20 in the second half. KU's ceiling is much higher, Oubre wasn't playing meaningful minutes a month ago, he may now be their best player.

Doesn't matter on a night to night basis, though.

 

[AdaSooner]

For #2, it seems like we have been saying this for 2 years...we keep saying they will "learn from this" but eventually you gotta use the knowledge from "learning" and put it into results.

Losing to KU at home was almost a given before the season got underway. That's how tough it has been for OU to beat the Jayhawks in Lawrence. Still, I totally agree that the time has come, and gone really, when "learning from the experience" is an acceptable excuse for a loss.

What bothers me the most is that this team allowed KU to punch them in the gut in the first half when they fell behind by 20. It was an all too familiar tune reminiscent of our second half against Creighton and our first half against Washington.

I couldn't have been more proud of the way our kids responded in coming back from a 19 point deficit at the half to take the lead in the final minutes. Even if they don't play with a lot of smarts sometimes, this team has a lot of heart. But, there comes a time when that old standby "learn from your experience" needs to be replaced by "put up or shut up." If this team expects to compete for the title in the Big 12 and make a respectable run in March, that time is, NOW!

 

[DapperDan]

For #2, it seems like we have been saying this for 2 years...we keep saying they will "learn from this" but eventually you gotta use the knowledge from "learning" and put it into results. Obviously I'd like to blow out every team we play, but I want this team to win a close one for once. I cant praise enough the effort when down 20, but man, we could've won that game

I agree that "it seems like we have been saying this for 2 years", but do you really think our Sooners from 2 years ago (or even last years) could even hold a candle to this years team? I don't. This team is different. Our record, and NCAA seed might end up being similar to last year, but I would argue that this team has much more talent and potential than that of the last 2 years. This is why I think we will eventually start pulling some of the games out. I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to clear up my initial point. Yesterday I stated that I thought we'd lose by 5-10 at KU, then bounce back with a nice win in Waco. A split this week, with 2 tough road games, is a win IMO.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I agree that "it seems like we have been saying this for 2 years", but do you really think our Sooners from 2 years ago (or even last years) could even hold a candle to this years team? I don't. This team is different. Our record, and NCAA seed might end up being similar to last year, but I would argue that this team has much more talent and potential than that of the last 2 years. This is why I think we will eventually start pulling some of the games out. I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to clear up my initial point. Yesterday I stated that I thought we'd lose by 5-10 at KU, then bounce back with a nice win in Waco. A split this week, with 2 tough road games, is a win IMO.

I'd take a split. This team is better in nearly every facet except a mismatch on the offensive side--Cam Clark. I thought he was the guy who could create his own shot and would take last shots at end of games because at 6'7'', he was too athletic for bigs and too big for guards/wings. We needed that down the stretch when they played really good defense and we shot contested 3's

 

[stormspencer]

I agree that "it seems like we have been saying this for 2 years", but do you really think our Sooners from 2 years ago (or even last years) could even hold a candle to this years team? I don't. This team is different. Our record, and NCAA seed might end up being similar to last year, but I would argue that this team has much more talent and potential than that of the last 2 years. This is why I think we will eventually start pulling some of the games out. I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to clear up my initial point. Yesterday I stated that I thought we'd lose by 5-10 at KU, then bounce back with a nice win in Waco. A split this week, with 2 tough road games, is a win IMO.

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but "potential" is just that.....potential....until it is realized or untapped. As Ada mentioned, it's time for this team to put up or shut up. This team is going to have close games in the Big 12 and NCAA tourney, and based on our recent history in close games, I don't feel too good about it right now.

 

[DapperDan]

I'd take a split. This team is better in nearly every facet except a mismatch on the offensive side--Cam Clark. I thought he was the guy who could create his own shot and would take last shots at end of games because at 6'7'', he was too athletic for bigs and too big for guards/wings. We needed that down the stretch when they played really good defense and we shot contested 3's

I agree with that, Cam was a tough matchup for most defenders. And yeah, it would have been nice to have another guy out there who can create and take it to the hoop in the final minutes, opposed to us relying heavily on the 3. Good point.

 

[campbest]

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but "potential" is just that.....potential....until it is realized or untapped. As Ada mentioned, it's time for this team to put up or shut up. This team is going to have close games in the Big 12 and NCAA tourney, and based on our recent history in close games, I don't feel too good about it right now.

True, but this team as constructed is a very tough out. We aren't going to play many teams in the tournament at KU, Iowa State, or WVU's level. Still say this is a second weekend team in the NCAA.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

True, but this team as constructed is a very tough out. We aren't going to play many teams in the tournament at KU, Iowa State, or WVU's level. Still say this is a second weekend team in the NCAA.

If we continue to lose close games, we could be the most dangerous 10/11 seed of all time.

 

[WTSooner]

True, but this team as constructed is a very tough out. We aren't going to play many teams in the tournament at KU, Iowa State, or WVU's level. Still say this is a second weekend team in the NCAA.

We "might" get one game in the Tourney against a team that isn't as good as a KSU/WVU. Starting with that second game, whomever we play will almost assuredly be that good.

 

[DenverSooner]

We "might" get one game in the Tourney against a team that isn't as good as a KSU/WVU. Starting with that second game, whomever we play will almost assuredly be that good.

I agree with this.

The worst thing about this season is that OU has losses to Creighton, Washington, KSU, KU and to a lesser degree WVU where they just didn't compete for about half of the game. If they play full games against the first four teams, I think they likely win those games.

 

[DapperDan]

I agree with this.

The worst thing about this season is that OU has losses to Creighton, Washington, KSU, KU and to a lesser degree WVU where they just didn't compete for about half of the game. If they play full games against the first four teams, I think they likely win those games.

Denver,

You are correct. A few of those losses look really bad now. But all we can worry about is what's infront of us. Like I said earlier, If we split this week and win out at home while stealing a few on the road, we are in really good shape. That Creighton loss still blows me away though, and I'm still scratching my head at how Washington has been playing. Oh well..