Who is most likely to be done after this season?

[SoonerfanTU]

Willis, maze, patillo, and early were all very talented players

I guess my definition of talented would be a little different than yours. The frist three on that list were exceptionally athletic, but none were really talented. Willis can shoot it okay. Maze was fast, but really had no skill set to speak of. And Patillo was only a leaper around the rim, and defender. All were role players with pretty big holes in their games. Not sure what to say about Early.

Capel needs to go find more kids that are good basketball players, with full skill sets, that are somewhat limited athletically. That would balance out the highly athletic, less skilled kids. Go recruit a TMG, but give him a Hollis Price. Go recruit a Tiny Gallon. But give him a Kevin Bookout.

 

[NickZepp]

I think the thing about Orlando Allen is there's a chance we could see him quit playing. I'm not sure if he wants to even play basketball at this point. That's something we'll have to find out. I hope everyone is right and we get Gallon back next year but he's telling people he's gone.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Willis, maze, patillo, and early were all very talented players that never made an extended impact because of the characteristics I spoke of...sure he has missed on a few talent-wise, but there isn't a coach in history that hasn't done that...

Simple fact is that this team is a very solid team with those players added to the current roster If they are all committed to the team goal...

I hate to break it to you guys, but their is far more to recruiting than on the court talent.

Many coaches of successful programs refuse to offer scholarships to players like the 4 you mention above. Why Capel thinks he needs to take a chance like this on a player to OU is beyond me. He's not at VCU anymore and it's time he recognized that.

The ex-Nebraska coach, Collier, he recruited at Nebraska like he did at Butler. Butler had nice teams in the horizon league, or whatever it's called, but they don't match up every night in a BCS conference. The same can be said for McDermott at ISU...he recruits like he did at Northern Iowa, and look how it's turning out for him. He's probably going to get fired in a few weeks.

Capel needs to start recruiting like he's at Oklahoma. We don't need to take chances on kids who have phenomenal talent but aren't willing to go to class, or practice, or both. We need some kids that are willing to work in practice and in the classroom and play 100% every play of every game. He needs to find a few Ernie Abercrombie's or Jameel Haywoods, which are good glue guys who make hustle plays on the court and contribute.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

I think that may be a problem with this team. If we basically have the same guys come back who is to say we don't have the same chemistry issues we had this year?

Ur right, we just don't know...

And that is the criticism I have of capels recruiting...he brings in the talent, ther is no question of that for people that know basketball, but what i do question is how much he really digs in to see if this is a guy I really want in my program...

I think his year has been very humbling and hopefully these are things he will really look at closer in a player going forward...

 

[NickZepp]

I hate to break it to you guys, but their is far more to recruiting than on the court talent.

Many coaches of successful programs refuse to offer scholarships to players like the 4 you mention above. Why Capel thinks he needs to take a chance like this on a player to OU is beyond me. He's not at VCU anymore and it's time he recognized that.

The ex-Nebraska coach, Collier, he recruited at Nebraska like he did at Butler. Butler had nice teams in the horizon league, or whatever it's called, but they don't match up every night in a BCS conference. The same can be said for McDermott at ISU...he recruits like he did at Northern Iowa, and look how it's turning out for him. He's probably going to get fired in a few weeks.

Capel needs to start recruiting like he's at Oklahoma. We don't need to take chances on kids who have phenomenal talent but aren't willing to go to class, or practice, or both. We need some kids that are willing to work in practice and in the classroom and play 100% every play of every game. He needs to find a few Ernie Abercrombie's or Jameel Haywoods, which are good glue guys who make hustle plays on the court and contribute.

I think this is accurate. The difference is that OU's gotten the Highly touted guys but everyone else has been mid major type players.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Ur right, we just don't know...

And that is the criticism I have of capels recruiting...he brings in the talent, ther is no question of that for people that know basketball, but what i do question is how much he really digs in to see if this is a guy I really want in my program...

I think his year has been very humbling and hopefully these are things he will really look at closer in a player going forward...

I know basketball and I'm telling you Hardrick, Willis, Allen, Neysmith and probably Early are not talent. If they were they'd be playing here or somewhere else. Just because he signs them they are not talent and I don't care what James Hale says...

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

I know basketball and I'm telling you Hardrick, Willis, Allen, Neysmith and probably Early are not talent. If they were they'd be playing here or somewhere else. Just because he signs them they are not talent and I don't care what James Hale says...

Willis and early were exceptional talents out of high school, the others no...

If Willis has any type of work ethic and committment he would be a contributed right now...he has a full skill set...but it seems he just doesn't get it and I don't blame Capel for getting tired of his act..

As for TU's statement, when recruiting a d1 athlete a coach is looking for a player to fit his system or a player with an exceptional talent in one of the basic intangibles of the game. I.E. Speed, handles, jumping, rebounding, shooting, ext...when those schools were looking at me it was that I distinguished myself as a better shooter than the competition or other recruits...something I had a leg up on...for maze it seemed to me that his ball handling and quickness stood out, patillo it was jumping and athleticism, willia it was scoring and ball handling for his size...

Now I know each coaches preferences are different but I know this was the philosophy of Texas A&M when Gillespie was there and I have had discussions wih other coaches that look for he same things in players...

 

[NickZepp]

The best school that was recruiting Ray Willis at the time was Florida State. Other than that it was VCU and George Mason. Not really that highly sought out for. But again I don't follow recruiting that much. And he's not done much since coming to OU. I don't know if he was ever really a fit.

 

[campbest]

The best school that was recruiting Ray Willis at the time was Florida State. Other than that it was VCU and George Mason. Not really that highly sought out for. But again I don't follow recruiting that much. And he's not done much since coming to OU. I don't know if he was ever really a fit.

The same Florida State that is going to the Dance again this year?

Seriously though, if you read the transcripts from Willis' signing, he was Capel's diamond in the rough. Had the scoring skills and height at the high school level, needed to commit himself in other phases and put on weight. That hasn't happened since he got on campus, could be a result of his work ethic, untimely events (stabbing) or both.

 

[FaithfulSooner]

Don't know why you're knocking Omar. He did a good job for us. BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!

 

[SoonerfanTU]

The same Florida State that is going to the Dance again this year?

Seriously though, if you read the transcripts from Willis' signing, he was Capel's diamond in the rough. Had the scoring skills and height at the high school level, needed to commit himself in other phases and put on weight. That hasn't happened since he got on campus, could be a result of his work ethic, untimely events (stabbing) or both.

Don't think he was "that" rough. Wasn't he ranked just outside the top 100?

 

[NickZepp]

Don't know why you're knocking Omar. He did a good job for us. BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!

We could have used him on this squad. But he really didn't do much. He was just a backup that had some okay minutes. Not really terrible, but nothing special.

 

[campbest]

Willis and early were exceptional talents out of high school, the others no...

If Willis has any type of work ethic and committment he would be a contributed right now...he has a full skill set...but it seems he just doesn't get it and I don't blame Capel for getting tired of his act..

As for TU's statement, when recruiting a d1 athlete a coach is looking for a player to fit his system or a player with an exceptional talent in one of the basic intangibles of the game. I.E. Speed, handles, jumping, rebounding, shooting, ext...when those schools were looking at me it was that I distinguished myself as a better shooter than the competition or other recruits...something I had a leg up on...for maze it seemed to me that his ball handling and quickness stood out, patillo it was jumping and athleticism, willia it was scoring and ball handling for his size...

Now I know each coaches preferences are different but I know this was the philosophy of Texas A&M when Gillespie was there and I have had discussions wih other coaches that look for he same things in players...

Agree 100%, every coach is looking for "pieces" to fit his puzzle...this is my biggest gripe with Capel, he hasn't been able to get the outlying pieces which complete a program and create longevity.

Part of that may be he isn't sure himself what identity he wants his program to have, which isn't uncommon for a young coach. At mid-majors you see this a lot more, but it works because coaches are on the road trying to get the best players they can and mold a scheme off that. I think that is what Capel is trying to do, would like to see more of a direction form a philosophical standpoint.

What that is exactly, I dunno. That's why I am slaving through grad school and coaches get paid millions.

 

[campbest]

Don't think he was "that" rough. Wasn't he ranked just outside the top 100?

Yes, I believe he was...but I think a lot on that was potential. All his pub came from his ability to score at the high school level, but every scouting report I saw mentioned to be effective at the next level he has to get stronger and better defensively. Well...that hasn't happened.

 

[campbest]

We could have used him on this squad. But he really didn't do much. He was just a backup that had some okay minutes. Not really terrible, but nothing special.

Nothing wrong with that...AJ was going to play 30+ anyways.

 

[stoops4pres]

Willis is gone...plain and simple, he has shown no motivation to improve and has been in the wrong place twice (stabbing, DUI).

I can see him getting a DUI as part of the reason for him being gone for being in the wrong place, but what does him being stabbed have anything to do with a possible reason for being gone? Capel himself said Willis didn't do anything wrong.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

Yes, I believe he was...but I think a lot on that was potential. All his pub came from his ability to score at the high school level, but every scouting report I saw mentioned to be effective at the next level he has to get stronger and better defensively. Well...that hasn't happened.

exactly...

in high school he was a well rounded offensive talent, scored 27 a game...averaged 7 reb and 5 assists while running point a lot...

but defensively and strength wise he has never improved, and that is what gets you time on the court at this level...guys that can score, oddly enough, are a dime a dozen...but guys that can defend and score are rare, i think that is what Capel saw...a kid that already had the offensive part of the game down, just develop the rest...either Capel didnt do a good job there or Willis wasnt willing, none of us know that answer...

 

[seniorsooner]

Omar Leary was the perfect example of what some of you are clamoring for in this year's class, and that's a JUCO backup PG. He really improved from year 1 to year 2 and he hit some BIG shots for us down the stretch in his senior season. I don't think he was recruited to come in and be the man.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

Omar Leary was the perfect example of what some of you are clamoring for in this year's class, and that's a JUCO backup PG. He really improved from year 1 to year 2 and he hit some BIG shots for us down the stretch in his senior season. I don't think he was recruited to come in and be the man.

I'd give anything to have an Omar Leary on this team...that was a great recruiting job by Capel, he fit a huge need for us at the time and was a very solid asset to the program...plus he was smart, played his role and was a team guy...exactly what we need out of the Juco guys we go after this year...I'm all for Patillo talent, but not attitude...

 

[Mr.B!!!]

The problem is, the program was much better off when Capel took over than when Sampson took over.

Is this a joke?