We’re a lot better defensively w/out Manek

[Soonerinkc]

Honestly, what I hope is that this is a wake up call to Manek that offense isn’t going to be enough to keep him on the floor all the time anymore. IMO it’s his effort on a consistent basis that hurts him on the defensive end. I think at this point he understands how the game works but it’s been a while since he’s had that guy pushing for playing time behind him. This team has shown they have what it takes to be competitive and win games without his offense and even Lon started to show a game or two before Manek went out that in the middle and even near the end of games that Manek will be on the bench for better defensive options. IF he would play hard consistently on both ends (see the WV game) he could help this team more than hurt it on both ends. The problem with this, is at this point in his career, it’s sometimes hard for a player to swallow that they need to start playing harder all the time....some players have too big of an ego to change what they are doing at this point and they just fade off into the sunset. Lets hope he chooses to play harder to stay on the court and help this team continue to take the next step.

Lon isn’t benching him after he’s ready to return... there is one thing Lon is and that’s loyal to a fault sometimes

 

[WichitaSooner]

Lon isn’t benching him after he’s ready to return... there is one thing Lon is and that’s loyal to a fault sometimes

Lon adjusts minutes and rotations frequently depending on how guys are playing. Of course he isn’t going to glue Brady to the bench for 40 minutes a night, but he already sat him down the stretch in a tight game against Tech. If he keeps playing poorly when he returns, the minutes will be down. Maybe not as much as some of us would like, but they will be down.

My hope is that if/when we are back to full strength, the team as a whole doesn’t lose the defensive focus they’ve shown the past two games. As for Manek, he needs to become a tougher, more consistent competitor at both ends of the floor. Seniors shouldn’t let their shooting affect their overall game.

 

[lexusooner]

If Brady doesn’t turn up the heat on the defensive end and put more effort into rebounding he’s a liability to the team.
The team has been tough to score on without him in the line-up.

If he sees what the rest of the world sees it may inspire him to be a more productive defender/rebounder

 

[skyvue]

Brady currently is averaging 4.4 rebounds per game. How many should he be getting? (Serious question.)

 

[pnkranger]

Whoever said that this has everything to do with Kuath playing the 5 is 100% correct. Brady can guard the 5 spot consistently. He can't guard the more athletic power forward in the league.

He got worked over by Matthew Mayer, West Virginia's frontcourt gave him fits, he couldn't stop Santos-Silva ...Zach Freemantle for Xavier kicked his butt to the tune of a career-high 28 points.

Brady does not defend well in space. He does most everything else well on the basketball court, but that's a challenge for him.

 

[BCSooners]

Brady currently is averaging 4.4 rebounds per game. How many should he be getting? (Serious question.)

I'd say at least 6 with the minutes he gets total & plays half the time at the 5.

He's currently 3rd on the team in rebounding (Reaves & Kur) & only .1 ahead of Vic, who plays 11 less minutes.

 

[Max Power]

Brady currently is averaging 4.4 rebounds per game. How many should he be getting? (Serious question.)

For his size, position, and role, about double that

 

[AdaSooner]

I'd say at least 6 with the minutes he gets total & plays half the time at the 5.

He's currently 3rd on the team in rebounding (Reaves & Kur) & only .1 ahead of Vic, who plays 11 less minutes.

Agreed. Brady should be (and could be) a much better rebounder than 4.4 per game. He’s a 6’ 9” senior, for goodness sake, who should know by now how to block out and jockey for position to get his share of loose balls and rebounds.

Rebounding is a secondary topic in this thread. Yet, the lower-than-it-should-be weakness is basically the same: Sustained effort! Brady is perfectly capable of playing better defense and getting more loose balls and rebounds. He shows that side of him from time to time to prove that to be true. There is also no denying that he takes plays off way too often. More than a dozen posters contributing to this thread are essentially saying the same thing.

 

[WichitaSooner]

For his size, position, and role, about double that

I did a quick check so I may have missed someone, but I see two P5 players in double digits. So suggesting that a guy who plays a lot on the perimeter offensively and who is as slight as Manek should be around 9 board a game seems unrealistic. I’d like to see him in the 6.5-7.5 range.

 

[AdaSooner]

I did a quick check so I may have missed someone, but I see two P5 players in double digits. So suggesting that a guy who plays a lot on the perimeter offensively and who is as slight as Manek should be around 9 board a game seems unrealistic. I’d like to see him in the 6.5-7.5 range.

Ryan Spangler, the best rebounder in the Kruger era, and one of the best in OU history, averaged 9 boards in his best season. Your range of 6.5-7.5 is more realistic for Brady. I would be thrilled if he bumped up his average to 6-6.5 rpg!

 

[BoulderSooner]

Whoever said that this has everything to do with Kuath playing the 5 is 100% correct. Brady can guard the 5 spot consistently. He can't guard the more athletic power forward in the league.

He got worked over by Matthew Mayer, West Virginia's frontcourt gave him fits, he couldn't stop Santos-Silva ...Zach Freemantle for Xavier kicked his butt to the tune of a career-high 28 points.

Brady does not defend well in space. He does most everything else well on the basketball court, but that's a challenge for him.

ding ding ding we have a winner

 

[tmeyer3307]

ding ding ding we have a winner

I'd take that Kid over Manek every time! He's way more skilled and plays harder on the defensive end. He's more of a 2/3 guard than a 4 though.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Agreed. Brady should be (and could be) a much better rebounder than 4.4 per game. He’s a 6’ 9” senior, for goodness sake, who should know by now how to block out and jockey for position to get his share of loose balls and rebounds.

Rebounding is a secondary topic in this thread. Yet, the lower-than-it-should-be weakness is basically the same: Sustained effort! Brady is perfectly capable of playing better defense and getting more loose balls and rebounds. He shows that side of him from time to time to prove that to be true. There is also no denying that he takes plays off way too often. More than a dozen posters contributing to this thread are essentially saying the same thing.

Kruger and rebounding are antonyms. He unfortunately does not coach good technique on blocking out, nor has he ever. He also does not get on to them for not blocking out. It is what it is at this point and it wont ever change

 

[WichitaSooner]

Kruger and rebounding are antonyms. He unfortunately does not coach good technique on blocking out, nor has he ever. He also does not get on to them for not blocking out. It is what it is at this point and it wont ever change

Do you attend every practice? Spend a lot of time in the locker room? Otherwise, I’m not sure how you’d know what technique he coaches and whether he gets on guys for not blocking out. We obviously aren’t a great rebounding team ... but it seems a leap to draw sweeping conclusions like this.

 

[BCSooners]

Kruger and rebounding are antonyms. He unfortunately does not coach good technique on blocking out, nor has he ever. He also does not get on to them for not blocking out. It is what it is at this point and it wont ever change

OU is currently out rebounding opponents +2 a game & conference opponents .5+ a game. That’s with already playing Baylor, KU, Texas tech, & WVU.

 

[scrybe]

OU is currently out rebounding opponents +2 a game & conference opponents .5+ a game. That’s with already playing Baylor, KU, Texas tech, & WVU.

Oops!

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Since Kruger has been here we have the following rebounding ranking in conference:

2020-2021: 6
2019-2020: 3
2018-2019: 4
2017-2018: 1
2016-2017: 3
2015-2016: 2
2014-2015: 3
2013-2014: 5
2012-2013: 5
2011-2012: 2

 

[WichitaSooner]

OU is currently out rebounding opponents +2 a game & conference opponents .5+ a game. That’s with already playing Baylor, KU, Texas tech, & WVU.

But this doesn’t fit the narrative, dang it!!

 

[CoachTalk]

kruger and rebounding are antonyms. He unfortunately does not coach good technique on blocking out, nor has he ever. He also does not get on to them for not blocking out. It is what it is at this point and it wont ever change

lolololololololololol

ou is currently out rebounding opponents +2 a game & conference opponents .5+ a game. That’s with already playing baylor, ku, texas tech, & wvu.

since kruger has been here we have the following rebounding ranking in conference:

2020-2021: 6
2019-2020: 3
2018-2019: 4
2017-2018: 1
2016-2017: 3
2015-2016: 2
2014-2015: 3
2013-2014: 5
2012-2013: 5
2011-2012: 2

but this doesn’t fit the narrative, dang it!!

 

[Eielson]

I don't think Manek is the problem with this team.