What does this team need

[BigTime]

with the two ships for 2012?

I say a slashing JUCO guard and a prep/JUCO big that can rebound and defend.

I would love to get a JUCO guard that can come in and ease the transition of Heild and Hornbeak next season and to act as an insurance plan if Cam and Tyler Neal don't progress as much as all of us would like (if nothing else, put some pressure on them to earn their minutes).

I think Dre Wright would be a great pickup for a big man. He really blew up this year after recovering from his leg injury and is a guy that has high upside and plenty of skill. Not sure how dominant of a defender he can be at the next level but I sure like his ability to shoot the basketball and he brings good size and bulk.

 

[garyeb2]

Well, it is hard to say. Kruger knows more about to what degree Hield and Hornbeak have the potential to help right away. Assuming that they can and will contribute to some degree, I would like to to see a couple of quality transfers. At least one a big.

 

[AdaSooner]

I would prefer to see Kruger bring in a JUCO guard/wing who can score from the perimeter as well as off the dribble. Even if Hornbeak and Heild are ready to contribute as freshmen, the addition of a proven commodity in the back court would only increase our depth where we'll need it the most.

I realize that JUCO players aren't a sure thing either. But we have to find a way to get more scoring out of our back court next year, or we will continue to see double-downs inside and defense that game plan to stop one or two players.

I fully expect to see dramatic changes in our rotation next season that could affect every player on the team, incluiding the starters this year. I agree with BT in that competition for a spot in the rotation will only make next year's team better. Players who don't work hard enough to improve in the off season may get fewer minutes. That's the way it should be.

 

[WTSooner]

I don't know. Honestly, at this point, I don't see us in on anybody that will contribute over the top 7-8 guys we should have on the roster next year.

My preference for a guard is a kid that can shoot it. You can always get perimeter jump shots, and it'd be nice to have another kid that can knock them down at a high clip. As for the other scholarship, I do like the upside of the Phillip Nolan. Seems like a kid that might progress like Longar Longar.

 

[Dave4OU]

A slasher and a Shooter and not associated with the question but it would not hurt to have Grooms improve on his shooting so that he is a threat to score.

 

[BigTime]

A slasher and a Shooter and not associated with the question but it would not hurt to have Grooms improve on his shooting so that he is a threat to score.

Your last part may be the key to our season next year. I am not sure how much one can change their shot in a single offseason but to my untrained eye it appears that it is more of a confidence thing than a form thing. He just needs to step up and hit them instead of hesitating.

 

[Riseandfire10]

A point guard and a wing.

 

[DenverSooner]

with the two ships for 2012?

I say a slashing JUCO guard and a prep/JUCO big that can rebound and defend.

I would love to get a JUCO guard that can come in and ease the transition of Heild and Hornbeak next season and to act as an insurance plan if Cam and Tyler Neal don't progress as much as all of us would like (if nothing else, put some pressure on them to earn their minutes).

I think Dre Wright would be a great pickup for a big man. He really blew up this year after recovering from his leg injury and is a guy that has high upside and plenty of skill. Not sure how dominant of a defender he can be at the next level but I sure like his ability to shoot the basketball and he brings good size and bulk.

I think a 3 point shooter from Juco.

You are not doing well on your bracket. Did you just make a bunch of upset predictions?

 

[steverocks35]

They need a shooter, and a shooter, and another shooter.
Oh, and a shooter.

 

[WTSooner]

We need quite a few things. But I think a shooter is number 1 on that list.

We also need a general upgrade in athleticism. We also need a true post guy that can rebound, and maybe block some shots. Oh, and that has an inside post game.

We could use a guy that could slash and get to the line.

We don't need all of these things to be an NCAA Tourney team, but we need them all to get back to being a top 25 team consistently. That 2013 class is make or break for our program under LK, I'm afraid. No way that class can be average, and LK can get us back to Dancing consistently, IMO.

 

[AdaSooner]

A slasher and a Shooter and not associated with the question but it would not hurt to have Grooms improve on his shooting so that he is a threat to score.

Actually, the point you made about Grooms may be more important to the question than anything posted on this thread.

I would take an improved shooter in Sam Grooms over any player available to OU in the late signing period, and not think twice about it.

If Sam improves his perimeter shooting by 5 to 8 percentages points, his effectiveness in running the offense will increase appreciably. I believe he can do it, too. It's not like his stroke is so flawed it needs a lot of work before he can improve his efficiency by practicing this summer. His technique is fine. He just needs to shoot, shoot and shoot some more, until his confidence and his shot are automatic, not something he has to think about.

 

[Sid]

I would prefer to see Kruger bring in a JUCO guard/wing who can score from the perimeter as well as off the dribble.

But we have to find a way to get more scoring out of our back court next year, or we will continue to see double-downs inside and defense that game plan to stop one or two players.

I agree with your comments. I am tired of watching the Sooners play 2/3 against 5. I don't want to see anymore 4 foot midgets playing guard at OU. If a kid can't dribble/shoot and chew gum at the same time, he doesn't need to be playing for OU.

 

[usedtobe1]

Gosh, where do you start? Guards!

First, it's important to get a scorer..... somebody who can not only shoot from the outside to take the pressure off Pledger, but also someone who can put the ball of on the floor and create a shot on his own. Next, I think we need some improved ball handling. Grooms is the only player who can handle pressure. He needs help against pressure defenses.

I don't know how much to expect out of Hield and Hornbeak next year. I suspect Hield has the better shot at helping .... at least next year. I would like to see a top juco guard added. What I would really like is Stevie Clark a year early......

Honestly, I'm not worried about the front court with M'Baye, Osby, and Fitz. That's a decent group of post players. M'Baye will help with his length and athleticism..... he will put pressure on Cam, too. We will need some fronytcourt help the year after next so I wouldn't object to a transfer or freshman that could develop over a redshirt year.