Who are these guys?

[SoonerinNC]

It is a losing battle, Coach. The length of this thread is an indicator.

It is like trying to communicate with someone who hearlds the right to free speech but will be quick to deny your free speech rights unless you agree with them.

No reasonable person would deny anyone the right to constructive criticism. But insulting players and coaches by calling them lazy and stupid is not constructive. It is just rude. I coached a fair number of years at several levels and I think I can tell when someone is dogging it. I don't see that with our players. Mental lapses sure, bad judgment sure, mediocre ability, sure. But reasonable people also see a good play or effort once in a while. You don't find that on our game threads unless we blow someone out.

I agree that the program has stalled somewhat. Our senior class is at best off and on. Doolittle is all we have from the junior class and Manek from the sophmore class and Bieniemy is all we really have from the freshman class. Recruiting has been soft. And with TY being one and done we didn't get another one and done to replace him. The good news is that those guys coming back along with Reeves gives us a good start to next year.

Maybe it is just that more people have a negative outlook than the number with a positive outlook. Also positive people don't have such an overpowering urge to "vent". In earlier times we had a coach who almost always finished in the top three in the conference and many couldn't wait to get rid of him.

We played really well against Mississippi but they were clearly the poorer team. Virginia will be another matter. They have the kind of defense that may make us look like we are playing Kansas State on steroids.

 

[CoachTalk]

Love how some of you feel like you should be able to complain and criticize whenever you want, but when you get called out by anyone, then it suddenly becomes, "hey, everyone be nice, there is no need to argue, we should all enjoy the win." So I guess the next time we lose or play poorly, the same should apply and we should all just calmly reflect on things rather than declaring the program an embarrassment and identifying random coaches around the country we would rather have than Lon.

+1

 

[Big Old Booger]

It is a losing battle, Coach. The length of this thread is an indicator.

It is like trying to communicate with someone who hearlds the right to free speech but will be quick to deny your free speech rights unless you agree with them.

No reasonable person would deny anyone the right to constructive criticism. But insulting players and coaches by calling them lazy and stupid is not constructive. It is just rude. I coached a fair number of years at several levels and I think I can tell when someone is dogging it. I don't see that with our players. Mental lapses sure, bad judgment sure, mediocre ability, sure. But reasonable people also see a good play or effort once in a while. You don't find that on our game threads unless we blow someone out.

I agree that the program has stalled somewhat. Our senior class is at best off and on. Doolittle is all we have from the junior class and Manek from the sophmore class and Bieniemy is all we really have from the freshman class. Recruiting has been soft. And with TY being one and done we didn't get another one and done to replace him. The good news is that those guys coming back along with Reeves gives us a good start to next year.

Maybe it is just that more people have a negative outlook than the number with a positive outlook. Also positive people don't have such an overpowering urge to "vent". In earlier times we had a coach who almost always finished in the top three in the conference and many couldn't wait to get rid of him.

We played really well against Mississippi but they were clearly the poorer team. Virginia will be another matter. They have the kind of defense that may make us look like we are playing Kansas State on steroids.

I don't recall anyone insulting players or calling the coaches lazy or stupid, but I'm not on here every day and rarely post in the game threads until the game is over. So, maybe it happens there. We do have a few posters who lack self control about what they say in the game thread and that's why I'm hardly in that one but as KCSooner said, it's more like the posters watching at home with buddies. Everybody gets frustrated and some people are good at controlling what comes out of their mouths or what they type on a keyboard, and some are not. That doesn't make all of us bad fans, that doesn't make those who lack self control bad fans. They are just frustrated and have valid reasons the last 3 seasons to be frustrated.

AS you said, the recruiting has been soft. Too many misses especially at the 4/5 position and the players who play the 2/3 are the exact same player they were 2 years ago. Maybe that's on them, IDK, or maybe it's on Lon for not recruiting better players to push them?

Regardless, yesterday we looked like a team I've rarely seen this season. Thus my initial post. We looked very good for 40 minutes and I can't think of a game like that other than the KU game at home this year. Before that, it was the Wichita State game last year, and before that the Oregon game that put us in the final 4.

Let's go get another one tomorrow.

 

[coolm]

I've seen a lot of up and down, like various players trying to find their way.

Today, I saw one of the best-played games I have ever seen at OU. It was a coaching clinic, and Mississippi just happened to get in the way. As good as they were, and they shot well, it was like watching the Washington Generals try to play the Globetrotters. Everyone would have been in awe of the three you hit, if you hadn't let OU throw it in and get two back before you crossed the midcourt line.

Did you see anyone take a dumb shot?

yes. this. 100% this. from top to bottom this was one of the best games I can remember OU playing in the last 40 years.

that doesn't mean it had the highest stakes or best players - just that each of the players involved seemed to be on the same page as the others with a good effort and they made the shots that were there for them. it was like a major confluence of positives. all the pistons were moving in the proper manner with proper timing.

quite honestly ... i'd rather have had that game in the second round. but I am sure the opposition had something to do with our superlative performance as well. things won't be firing like that against UVa.

it was nice to see that you can get this type of result from kids without screaming or beating it out of them a la Izzo. But I also understand which technique seems to get more consistent results.

 

[CoachTalk]

I take exception to this.

I think anyone who is worried about us setting up shop in the bottom of the conference standings is validated in their concerns.

Personally, I think the program is leaking a little oil. So I need to find somewhere else to go to talk Sooner hoops? Against our peers, the teams we see twice a year or more, we're the worst in the league over a three-year span. I don't think that's acceptable, so now I can't be thrilled to death that we won a game in the NCAA Tournament?

If only the sunshine can be pumped then I'll re-read the memo of membership around here. As aggravated as I was at this batch of seniors for their continued shortcomings, I am that proud of their performance today. That's part of what makes them so maddening. They shouldn't be the worst team in the Big 12 over a three-year span. They shouldn't be laying egg after egg in Kansas City. But they are, and that frustrates me.

So now my frustration keeps me from being able to celebrate on here with my friends because I don't toe the company line? That's BS.

By my preseason metric, this is a successful season. I saw .500. I saw 16 wins, maybe. I was obviously wrong. But the team we saw today shouldn't be getting their doors blown off at home to Baylor and K-State. This team shouldn't be losing two out of three to West Virginia. But they did. A team that can play like today shouldn't be 7-11 in the Big 12 Conference. A team like today should be defending the home court and grabbing their share on the road.

I am ecstatic about the win. I'm frustrated with the direction of the program. And that makes me a bad fan? That makes me a bandwagoner? I think that's crap. And I think the policing of alternative viewpoints around here is chicken****. I want to win.

Why do you get it both ways?
Want him fired, find a replacement, runs no offense, has no sets, etc etc.

But then we win a game in the NCAA tournament and you guys cheer your hearts out...

What direction are you frustrated with? We return JB, manek, and doo...

What leaky oil? Before the season most thought NIT or sub 500 record.
And before the ncaa and this win. Kids sucked, not leaders, not strong enough, were mid major talent.

Sure we played great today. But you want us to ply perfect 95% of the time? That’s unrealistic.

Guess I’m just too positive. If that’s my biggest fault. I’ll be fine.

 

[BCSooners]

I don't recall anyone insulting players or calling the coaches lazy or stupid, but I'm not on here every day and rarely post in the game threads until the game is over. So, maybe it happens there. We do have a few posters who lack self control about what they say in the game thread and that's why I'm hardly in that one but as KCSooner said, it's more like the posters watching at home with buddies. Everybody gets frustrated and some people are good at controlling what comes out of their mouths or what they type on a keyboard, and some are not. That doesn't make all of us bad fans, that doesn't make those who lack self control bad fans. They are just frustrated and have valid reasons the last 3 seasons to be frustrated.

AS you said, the recruiting has been soft. Too many misses especially at the 4/5 position and the players who play the 2/3 are the exact same player they were 2 years ago. Maybe that's on them, IDK, or maybe it's on Lon for not recruiting better players to push them?

Regardless, yesterday we looked like a team I've rarely seen this season. Thus my initial post. We looked very good for 40 minutes and I can't think of a game like that other than the KU game at home this year. Before that, it was the Wichita State game last year, and before that the Oregon game that put us in the final 4.

Let's go get another one tomorrow.

James & Odomes have improved quite a bit even with the reports James has just became a gym rat this year & Odomes never has. Also our best player & 2nd or 3rd best player are 4s. Now there’s been a lot of headaches at the 5 I agree.

 

[Ghost of Gar Heard]

I don't recall anyone insulting players or calling the coaches lazy or stupid, but I'm not on here every day and rarely post in the game threads until the game is over. So, maybe it happens there. We do have a few posters who lack self control about what they say in the game thread and that's why I'm hardly in that one but as KCSooner said, it's more like the posters watching at home with buddies. Everybody gets frustrated and some people are good at controlling what comes out of their mouths or what they type on a keyboard, and some are not. That doesn't make all of us bad fans, that doesn't make those who lack self control bad fans. They are just frustrated and have valid reasons the last 3 seasons to be frustrated.

AS you said, the recruiting has been soft. Too many misses especially at the 4/5 position and the players who play the 2/3 are the exact same player they were 2 years ago. Maybe that's on them, IDK, or maybe it's on Lon for not recruiting better players to push them?

Regardless, yesterday we looked like a team I've rarely seen this season. Thus my initial post. We looked very good for 40 minutes and I can't think of a game like that other than the KU game at home this year. Before that, it was the Wichita State game last year, and before that the Oregon game that put us in the final 4.

Let's go get another one tomorrow.

This literally happens in every game thread and in many threads following any loss. It's good to log on today & see so many positive threads. If we had lost, there would be at least 1 about getting rid of Kruger and 1 about JUCO players we should have recruited instead of the sorry guys we've got. I've just decided to stay away unless there's some new area worth covering.

 

[Ghost of Gar Heard]

Why do you get it both ways?
Want him fired, find a replacement, runs no offense, has no sets, etc etc.

But then we win a game in the NCAA tournament and you guys cheer your hearts out...

What direction are you frustrated with? We return JB, manek, and doo...

What leaky oil? Before the season most thought NIT or sub 500 record.
And before the ncaa and this win. Kids sucked, not leaders, not strong enough, were mid major talent.

Sure we played great today. But you want us to ply perfect 95% of the time? That’s unrealistic.

Guess I’m just too positive. If that’s my biggest fault. I’ll be fine.

This nails it. They played out of their minds yesterday. I'd be stunned if they played that well Sunday. We may have to in order to beat Virginia. They play slow and great defense and are designed to make other teams look bad. Like Texas Tech, only better.

There's a lot to be hopeful about with this program and, make no mistake, win or loss Sunday, this has been a successful season. It's definitely a program on the rise. The team's 2 best players return & we're bringing in a top 10 recruiting class plus 1 of the best transfers in the country. It's a tough conference so we'll lose some games but this program is trending upward. We've made the tournament 7 out of years.

Would you rather be OU or Texas? OU or Okie St? OU or TCU? 90% of the programs in the country.? Could we do better than Kruger? Maybe, but we all know we could do worse as well...a lot worse. Yeah, I'd love to have a basketball program to match our football program but that's probably not realistic. I believe this program has a chance to make a run at a final 4 in 2 years...Maybe even next year if things all come together quickly.

 

[stormspencer]

This nails it. They played out of their minds yesterday. I'd be stunned if they played that well Sunday. We may have to in order to beat Virginia. They play slow and great defense and are designed to make other teams look bad. Like Texas Tech, only better.

There's a lot to be hopeful about with this program and, make no mistake, win or loss Sunday, this has been a successful season. It's definitely a program on the rise. The team's 2 best players return & we're bringing in a top 10 recruiting class plus 1 of the best transfers in the country. It's a tough conference so we'll lose some games but this program is trending upward. We've made the tournament 7 out of years.

Would you rather be OU or Texas? OU or Okie St? OU or TCU? 90% of the programs in the country.? Could we do better than Kruger? Maybe, but we all know we could do worse as well...a lot worse. Yeah, I'd love to have a basketball program to match our football program but that's probably not realistic. I believe this program has a chance to make a run at a final 4 in 2 years...Maybe even next year if things all come together quickly.

Really?....we are a team on the rise? After one win in the tournament? Were we a "team on the rise" when we were going 7-11 in conference and losing our opening round game in KC? I don't like one game sample sizes, so that statement is just as silly as anyone who wanted to fire Kruger after we lost to Baylor by 30 at home. We may indeed end up being a team on the rise (if the incoming talent is actually cohesive), but to declare this after one win is, at best, shortsighted. The last three years have been subpar when it comes to Oklahoma basketball standards. But like you, I do hope that we are trending upwards because we've been in basketball purgatory for several seasons now it seems.

There was one particular poster who lit the fuse on this thread and was rightfully called out for it. We are all fans of OU and enjoy celebrating the good times despite the righteous indignation of a few.

This may or may not be you, but for those of you who don't like this board at times because of comments you may disagree with....here's an idea....start your own board. That way, you can have your own little utopia and only highlight the positive aspects of the program while banning anyone who doesn't meet an acceptable level of "positivity".

And I would also suggest to anyone here to go visit some other forums like Phog, Rupp Rafters, and Surlyhorns and view some of those threads/comments. At that point, you might actually realize how good the dialogue and discussions can be on this board.....without too much nonsense.

 

[sheepdogs1]

This literally happens in every game thread and in many threads following any loss. It's good to log on today & see so many positive threads. If we had lost, there would be at least 1 about getting rid of Kruger and 1 about JUCO players we should have recruited instead of the sorry guys we've got. I've just decided to stay away unless there's some new area worth covering.

When you apply effort how often do you walk away with the feeling you left everything on the table and there was nothing you could do differently at all. Chances are something else could have been done differently. If people feel this way from their own personal perspective then how is it possible to not take the same viewpoint as it relates to others? HELLO!!!!!!!!!

 

[CoachTalk]

Really?....we are a team on the rise? After one win in the tournament? Were we a "team on the rise" when we were going 7-11 in conference and losing our opening round game in KC? I don't like one game sample sizes, so that statement is just as silly as anyone who wanted to fire Kruger after we lost to Baylor by 30 at home. We may indeed end up being a team on the rise (if the incoming talent is actually cohesive), but to declare this after one win is, at best, shortsighted. The last three years have been subpar when it comes to Oklahoma basketball standards. But like you, I do hope that we are trending upwards because we've been in basketball purgatory for several seasons now it seems.

There was one particular poster who lit the fuse on this thread and was rightfully called out for it. We are all fans of OU and enjoy celebrating the good times despite the righteous indignation of a few.

This may or may not be you, but for those of you who don't like this board at times because of comments you may disagree with....here's an idea....start your own board. That way, you can have your own little utopia and only highlight the positive aspects of the program while banning anyone who doesn't meet an acceptable level of "positivity".

And I would also suggest to anyone here to go visit some other forums like Phog, Rupp Rafters, and Surlyhorns and view some of those threads/comments. At that point, you might actually realize how good the dialogue and discussions can be on this board.....without too much nonsense.

You can say it was me...

That’s the thing... you cry wolf when called out when things are going good but also when things go bad.
We “postitive” folks can’t have it both ways. Seems Hypocritical

I don’t care about other boards.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Really?....we are a team on the rise? After one win in the tournament? Were we a "team on the rise" when we were going 7-11 in conference and losing our opening round game in KC? I don't like one game sample sizes, so that statement is just as silly as anyone who wanted to fire Kruger after we lost to Baylor by 30 at home. We may indeed end up being a team on the rise (if the incoming talent is actually cohesive), but to declare this after one win is, at best, shortsighted. The last three years have been subpar when it comes to Oklahoma basketball standards. But like you, I do hope that we are trending upwards because we've been in basketball purgatory for several seasons now it seems.

There was one particular poster who lit the fuse on this thread and was rightfully called out for it. We are all fans of OU and enjoy celebrating the good times despite the righteous indignation of a few.

This may or may not be you, but for those of you who don't like this board at times because of comments you may disagree with....here's an idea....start your own board. That way, you can have your own little utopia and only highlight the positive aspects of the program while banning anyone who doesn't meet an acceptable level of "positivity".

And I would also suggest to anyone here to go visit some other forums like Phog, Rupp Rafters, and Surlyhorns and view some of those threads/comments. At that point, you might actually realize how good the dialogue and discussions can be on this board.....without too much nonsense.

So it's ok and appropriate to call out Coach and/or me for "lighting the fuse," but when hypocritical, constantly negative posters get called out for their takes, that's not appropriate? The mods constantly say this board would be boring if everyone agreed all the time, yet it seems like that principle doesn't apply when those of us who don't want to fire the staff and bash the talent post something you don't agree with.

Guess what? If people declare the season over in mid February, say there is no chance we are winning any more games or making the tournament, and suggest that guys like Doo and Manek aren't good enough to start for a quality Big 12 team, THEY deserve to get called out, too. And two of the biggest criticisms people have lodged have been that we run no offense and that our players never improve. So when the best analyst on the planet specifically talks about those topics, it's somehow out of bounds for me to mention it? And of course, the replies to that are to just pretend like Raftery doesn't know anything about our team or the game in general. I can assure you he has a better understanding of offensive strategy than any of us, myself included z even if he "only" broke down video from a handful of our games. I'd say the people who claim we run no plays clearly haven't watched us either, since we run great out of bounds plays, lobs, and postups time after time in every game.

 

[stormspencer]

So it's ok and appropriate to call out Coach and/or me for "lighting the fuse," but when hypocritical, constantly negative posters get called out for their takes, that's not appropriate? The mods constantly say this board would be boring if everyone agreed all the time, yet it seems like that principle doesn't apply when those of us who don't want to fire the staff and bash the talent post something you don't agree with.

Guess what? If people declare the season over in mid February, say there is no chance we are winning any more games or making the tournament, and suggest that guys like Doo and Manek aren't good enough to start for a quality Big 12 team, THEY deserve to get called out, too. And two of the biggest criticisms people have lodged have been that we run no offense and that our players never improve. So when the best analyst on the planet specifically talks about those topics, it's somehow out of bounds for me to mention it? And of course, the replies to that are to just pretend like Raftery doesn't know anything about our team or the game in general. I can assure you he has a better understanding of offensive strategy than any of us, myself included z even if he "only" broke down video from a handful of our games. I'd say the people who claim we run no plays clearly haven't watched us either, since we run great out of bounds plays, lobs, and postups time after time in every game.

I don't have a problem with you or anyone calling out negative posters or people who have silly takes (i.e. we run no plays, etc.). And I've seen your opinions on here when you get into discussions....and I happen to agree with you a good portion of the time.

I just didn't care for the thread-hijacking that took place after the best win of the season when people are excited and celebrating.

 

[stormspencer]

You can say it was me...

That’s the thing... you cry wolf when called out when things are going good but also when things go bad.
We “postitive” folks can’t have it both ways. Seems Hypocritical

I don’t care about other boards.

If you referring to me, I don't cry wolf about anything. I can account for myself just fine. As I said in my response to Wichita, why crap on a thread where people are excited after our best win of the season? Was it just to come off as a "better fan" because you didn't complain near as much as some on here? Or to say "I told you so"? I don't know you so I don't know.

Over the last three years, I've had both praise and criticism for the team and the staff. It seems to me that a proverbial "line in the sand" has been drawn by a few on here and you're either on one side or the other. Well, I'm not on either side.....I praise when I see good play, development, coaching, etc......and I hiss when I when I see the opposite.

 

[CoachTalk]

I don't have a problem with you or anyone calling out negative posters or people who have silly takes (i.e. we run no plays, etc.). And I've seen your opinions on here when you get into discussions....and I happen to agree with you a good portion of the time.

I just didn't care for the thread-hijacking that took place after the best win of the season when people are excited and celebrating.

So I can call them out on a new thread? Noted.

Here lies my biggest point, a lot these dudes wanted the coach fired, replaced, retired, and dogged manek, doo, odomes, miles and Calixte for the last 2 months!

 

[Eielson]

Wichita and Coach calling people hypocrites is high comedy. The same posters that constantly call out our fan base for not supporting the team are now telling people not to support the team. You just can't make this stuff up.

:ez-roll:

 

[CoachTalk]

Wichita and Coach calling people hypocrites is high comedy. The same posters that constantly call out our fan base for not supporting the team are now telling people not to support the team. You just can't make this stuff up.

:ez-roll:

Horrible comparison. But you do you.

 

[sheepdogs1]

Horrible comparison. But you do you.

Calling out someone as it occurs is one thing, but to do it well after the fact is another thing.

 

[CoachTalk]

Calling out someone as it occurs is one thing, but to do it well after the fact is another thing.

Guilty i did both.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Wichita and Coach calling people hypocrites is high comedy. The same posters that constantly call out our fan base for not supporting the team are now telling people not to support the team. You just can't make this stuff up.

:ez-roll:

Hey big boy, find one post where I told anyone not to support the team. All I did was point out the things the broadcast crew said. If you are going to be obsessed with my posts, at least come somewhat close to being factually accurate.