Well, first impressions everyone?

[NickZepp]

Cam Clark will flourish in this offense. Might end up being our best player.

Osby did some good things in the 2nd half. But after only one game he's probably a bit of a disappointment according to the hype from last year. But again only one game maybe he'll play better as time goes by

Grooms and Blair were both really solid. I don't think we can go wrong with either one at point. We may see some of Grooms at the 2 if he can consistently make the 3. Blair still turns it over some which will probably keep him on the bench. But he's the better passer.

Neal looks like he'll be a force off the bench. He's really improved his game a lot. I remember reading some people thinking or saying he's too lazy or just wants to be a college kid and isn't dedicated to the game. I didn't see that last night.

Arent has a long ways to go. He only played 8 minutes because of fouls. But he also had 4 rebounds. But he still has a long ways to go to be really good. But if he and CJ can get some rebounds off the bench and be good bodies. We may not be as hopeless inside as people think.

I'm not going to overreact to one game. But the style we play is going to be much more watchable than the last few years. And I think we probably have a bit more talent than people think. Still not sure if it'll mean more than 16 or 17 wins with the tough schedule. But we just need to show improvement, and we still have a very young team. We'll basically have no seniors starting and only 3 on the team overall.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

It was against Northeastern, I don't think any impressions were very valid tonight....just glad to see them play....finally, some basketball!

 

[campbest]

It was against Northeastern, I don't think any impressions were very valid tonight....just glad to see them play....finally, some basketball!

Agreed, I know it's just a first impression but drawing any conclusion holds zero water.

 

[thebigabd]

osby is not anywhere near 6'5 he might only be 6'7 but i would bet with shoes he is 6'8

There is no possible way, unless CJ Washington is 6'10'' which we know he isnt. Osby, with shoes on, might be 6'6''.

 

[BigTime]

There is no possible way, unless CJ Washington is 6'10'' which we know he isnt. Osby, with shoes on, might be 6'6''.

Seemed to be as tall as advertised to me. He's huge which sometimes makes folks appear shorter. I'll pay more attention next game (not that it matters).

 

[25mob]

There is no possible way, unless CJ Washington is 6'10'' which we know he isnt. Osby, with shoes on, might be 6'6''.

So does that mean Cam is about 6'3 o 6'4? Osby is clearly taller than Cam.

So Fitz must be about 6'2 or 6'3 because Osby is clearly taller than Fitz.

 

[WTSooner]

It was against Northeastern, I don't think any impressions were very valid tonight....just glad to see them play....finally, some basketball!

This.

VERY hard to draw any conclusions when you are matched up against a glorified HS team. Other than getting a good look at the players, seeing their size, quickness, and how they move, stuff like that.

I will say this though.....

1. We are in BIG trouble if the post in the other thread about us losing two players for the first semester is true. You'd have to guess one is Pledger, not a clue who the other might be. This team isn't very deep to begin with, especially at the guard positions. Losing Pledger would KILL us.

2. I've been a pretty vocal voice in saying that this team definitely has the talent to make the Dance. Even if #1 above isn't true, I'm still not sure that I shoudn't temper my expectations some. Guards win games, and I'm not sure we have good enough guards to compete with the top half of the conference. Need to see Pledger play first, if he is going to. We're solid at pg, but not spectacular. I'm not as high on Newell as many of you are. And I still think Cam will struggle when matched up against quality opponents.

This is especially true if Pledger and another guy miss the first semester, but I hope LK backs off of the running and pressure D a bit this year. I'm not against doing those things, but I REALLY don't see how this team can be successful playing that style of ball. Neal is going to have to play a lot if Pledger isn't around, and he will struggle to stay with college guards. Also, in pressure man to man, you get beat a lot. That is part of pressure. Sometimes you disrupt things. Sometimes you get steals. And a lot of the time you get beat, and need help. Guys like Neal, Fitz, and Arent are not every quick, and won't be great with help. Length also helps with helping, and we aren't very long.

Defensively, I'd much rather focus on being in good position, not giving up easy shots, overplaying the things an opponent wants to do, and team rebounding. I still think in time LK will see this, and will adjust. He probably just wants to test out the things he'd like to do, if the team will allow him to.

I do think Grooms will be better at pg then Blair was last year.

I'll reserve further judgement until I see us against a little more talented team, until I know what Pledger can do, and until I know if Pledger or anybody else will be missing the first semester.

 

[WTSooner]

I also agree about Osby being smaller than I had thought. I will give him a few more games before I say for sure he isn't going to live up to the hype, but it seems to me that he is a lot like Nate Carter, with slightly better handles, maybe. Same size. Lefty. Same limitations. I also fear that, much like Carter, it may take Osby a year to get readjusted to big time basketball.

 

[garyeb2]

So does that mean Cam is about 6'3 o 6'4? Osby is clearly taller than Cam.

So Fitz must be about 6'2 or 6'3 because Osby is clearly taller than Fitz.

Fitz looks to be about 1" taller than Osby Making him about 6'7". You can guage heights from either Arent or CJ or both or Tyler for that matter. The result is always the same. Osby is about 6'6" at best.

He seems to have good vertical jumping ability. So he is probably playing bigger than 6'6". He is the jump center guy. In the practice sessions, he will jump against Arent who has limited vertical ability. Arent is listed at 6'10". But, is probably 6'9". The smart money would always be on Arent.

 

[Northbase]

but I hope LK backs off of the running and pressure D a bit this year. I'm not against doing those things, but I REALLY don't see how this team can be successful playing that style of ball

.

This reminds me of Billy Tubbs statement that 'this year we will run and shoot, next year we will run and score'.
You have to have the players that can run in your system.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I took a few things away from the game, in order:

1. Grooms is a legitimate starting D-1 PG, and competition has helped Blair get to the point where he is a legitimate back-up D-1 PG.

2. Arent isn't a "stiff".

3. Osby pressed early, calmed down, and played within the flow of the game.

4. Neal has started physically maturing from a 17 year old kid into a guy that might surprise by his Sr. season.

Happy basketball is back!

 

[25mob]

what i liked most about this game is that they played as a team. i didn't see anyone being selfish or lazy, the made the extra passes, good screens, help defense, there was constant talking on defense and it seemed that every player on the court went to the glass on defense.

 

[NormanPride]

Didn't watch too much, but the things I loved were the effort and cohesiveness. Other than that I don't think we can take much from this game. Those spouting doom and gloom are just as clueless as those saying we have legit talent now. All we should be able to tell from pasting a team like that is that we are better coached and have bought into the system.

That alone should get us at least a couple more games this year.

 

[mattham4]

what i liked most about this game is that they played as a team. i didn't see anyone being selfish or lazy, the made the extra passes, good screens, help defense, there was constant talking on defense and it seemed that every player on the court went to the glass on defense.

Yep, something we haven't seen in a few years! :clap

 

[SuperHoops]

Arent had 4 fouls in 8 minutes against undersized, inferior talent and made 1 of 4 from the FT line. Did he look better than his stat line shows?

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Arent had 4 fouls in 8 minutes against undersized, inferior talent and made 1 of 4 from the FT line. Did he look better than his stat line shows?

Physically, yes. Not a great athlete or anything, but was fluid getting up and down the floor. For sure some things to work on, but he has physical ability to work with.

 

[DenverSooner]

I sure wish I had seen the game. The biggest thing I take from the comments and articles is that OU has much better coach.