Winning Season

[WTSooner]

Well, we have literally NOTHING to replace him.
It's not like that 12 ppg got spread around elsewhere.
We basically have 4 total guys on this team that can score in Pledger, Fitzgerald, Osby, and Blair.

I wouldn't include Blair. He has some ability, like Cam, but it doesn't present itself frequently enough to call him a scorer.

But I agree, that is our problem.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I wouldn't include Blair. He has some ability, like Cam, but it doesn't present itself frequently enough to call him a scorer.

But I agree, that is our problem.

IMO, if Blair or Grooms score from something other than a layup, it's gravy because I don't expect either of them to make it.

I just about fell off my couch when Grooms hit that trey in Lubbock the other night. I kind of wanted him to launch it again the next time down, because he was open, but I figured the previous shot had exceeded his limit.

 

[seniorsooner]

So it appears to me that the opinion held by most here is that the talent level of this team is very, very low. If that's what you believe, I'm wondering when you think we will have any chance of returning to the NCAA tournament? Other than M'Biaye and 2 freshmen, we have the same team returning next year. So unless M'Biaye steps on the floor and is immediately an all-conference level performer, or unless we get significant contributions from 2 true freshmen, why will it be that much different? Then in 2013-2014, we will be replacing 6 seniors. So unless we hit the recruiting lottery that season could be quite a challenge as well.

So is the general consensus here that we are basically screwed?

 

[DenverSooner]

So unless you blame Kruger for Newell leaving, or Cam and Neal stinking, I think putting ANY of this on him is short sighted.

I don't think Cam Clark stinks. I think he is playing out of position because OU has no choice and Osby is clearly better at the PF position.

If Clark were the 6th man playing 7.5-10 at PF and 7.5-10 at SF, I think he would be pretty productive. He played more of front court role last season and he was more productive. He just doesn't have the range to play the SF or wing position.

 

[coolm]

So it appears to me that the opinion held by most here is that the talent level of this team is very, very low. If that's what you believe, I'm wondering when you think we will have any chance of returning to the NCAA tournament? Other than M'Biaye and 2 freshmen, we have the same team returning next year. So unless M'Biaye steps on the floor and is immediately an all-conference level performer, or unless we get significant contributions from 2 true freshmen, why will it be that much different? Then in 2013-2014, we will be replacing 6 seniors. So unless we hit the recruiting lottery that season could be quite a challenge as well.

So is the general consensus here that we are basically screwed?

you can overcome lesser talent by having more experience and a ton of time playing together. if the philosophy is sound then experience can be a good equalizer. Talent usually ends up being the best trump card, but xp can give you hope.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I think there is talent on this team, but other than Osby and to a lesser degree, Pledger, our players seem to lack any more than one thing you could say they are "good" at:

Fitz: Good mid-range jumper, that's about it.
Cam: Can dunk consistently, that's about it.
Grooms: Good distributing the ball, no shot.
Blair: Can't really pick out anything he does well, but can't really pick out anything terrible either. Average player.
Washington: Rebounds, occasional put-back. Undersized.
Neal: Needs to redshirt.

M"Baye looks like an Osby clone to me, so we should improve there and if he starts, then Cam coming off the bench is an upgrade over Neal. Then I'd like to think that at least one of the freshmen can be good. And then finally, there is at least one player out there that is better than Blair, be it JUCO or Prep School or something.

 

[sperry]

I don't get the "smoke and mirrors" thing, or the undertalented thing. We've choked away several games this season that we had won (@Cinci, aTm, @Mizzou). We just got blown out by a team that is significantly less talented then us. This team is better than its record indicates. When that happens, it spells disappointment to me.



Next year is NCAAs or bust, IMO, or it's going to be a while before we see the dance again.

 

[Sawyer]

We've choked away several games this season that we had won (@Cinci, aTm, @Mizzou).

Trailed entire second half ≠ choked away a game you had won.

 

[DenverSooner]

So it appears to me that the opinion held by most here is that the talent level of this team is very, very low. If that's what you believe, I'm wondering when you think we will have any chance of returning to the NCAA tournament? Other than M'Biaye and 2 freshmen, we have the same team returning next year. So unless M'Biaye steps on the floor and is immediately an all-conference level performer, or unless we get significant contributions from 2 true freshmen, why will it be that much different? Then in 2013-2014, we will be replacing 6 seniors. So unless we hit the recruiting lottery that season could be quite a challenge as well.

So is the general consensus here that we are basically screwed?

I don't think the talent leve for the top 6 or 7 players is very low. I think it may be slightly below average for the conference but not very low. I am pretty sure most every team in the conference would like to have Fitzgerald, Osby and Pledger on their teams. Even the top teams would take them because they are solid Big XII players. I think Grooms and Clark are fine but not all conference. I personally think Blair is a really good backup pg but simply average or below average as the first backcourt player off the bench.

The problem is a complete lack of depth and possibly a slightly less talented team for the players OU does have. If M'Baye is the best or even the second or third best player on the team, OU will be much better next season. Whether he comes off the bench or starts won't matter, OU will still be much better if he is a legitimate threat to score in the Big XII.

As it stands OU gets virtually all of its production from Fitzgerald, Pledger and Osby. Nobody else is contributing offensively on a consistant basis and even more importantly, nobody is hitting 3 point shots on a consistent basis. To be better next year, OU needs two things (and one guy can do both). They need a consistent 4th scoring threat and they need a consistent 3 point shooter. If M'Baye and one of the freshman can both hit 3 point shots above 35%, I think OU will be substantially improved. If M'Baye is simply another scoring option inside the 3 point line (and the freshman don't contribute much), I think OU is still improved.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I agree with all of that...plus one more year to work.

 

[Written]

MY GAWD, if we crash and burn next year.... the following year will be even worse... Then I don't what you do...

Call it the death of a program.
We have a massive contract with Kruger. No way we're getting out of that. It would just be waiting it out. I.E. officially accepting our complete irrelevance in basketball. Devastating.

 

[boutaroust]

Kruger and his staff are fine. We're fortunate to have them.

I think they have known the limitations of this group of players from early on their arrival on campus, and they've tried hard to milk the most out of the situation, along with trying to keep the expectations of the fans reasonable. Until the team hit this recent losing streak, it has worked pretty well. We'll see how the balance of the season works out.

As far as next season is concerned, I think the plan by the coaches has been to keep the current players together, add the new guys and try to have a decent season next year. With the recent poor play/effort, that may change.

 

[StatGeek]

Downgraded to 20%