Woodard

[stormspencer]

He is struggling right now, thus we have to find a way to get him some easy baskets and get his confidence back. We couldn't do it tonight because of Ibeh protecting the rim, but I really like when he drives to the basket. However, tonight, he got caught several times too far under the rim and had a couple of turnovers.

This team is easily a Final Four threat when all of Buddy, Cousins, and Woodard are on, but we haven't seen much of that threesome having "it" over the last several weeks. It looks like Buddy and Cousins are going to get theirs......just need to get Woodard going and it should help our inconsistency on offense.

 

[oudna]

Yep, 4 game shooting slump now. He'll turn it around. I'm sure Henson/Kruger see something.

 

[Sooner-Bred]

I hope he's staying in the gym everyday.

I think I read an article at one point that said he was coming in to shoot TWICE a day.

THAT'S how you get back to where he was. Keep coming in and shooting twice a day.

Hope he's still doing it

 

[HandyMan]

I dvr'ed the game and watched it when I got home to hear what ESPN had to say about us. During halftime, they said Isaiah and Woodard need to stop playing against Buddy and play with him. Do any of you agree with that statement? I've never thought that before.

 

[KBaden145]

I dvr'ed the game and watched it when I got home to hear what ESPN had to say about us. During halftime, they said Isaiah and Woodard need to stop playing against Buddy and play with him. Do any of you agree with that statement? I've never thought that before.

It makes a little bit of sense but it's not an intentional thing. Our system offensively isn't meant to get certain players shots. It's meant to get open shots for any player at certain spots at certain times. Whoever gets the first 'best' look confidently steps up and takes it. I think what's happening is they are trying to force the ball at times whether it's to get it to Buddy or to get their own shot and at times we've gotten out of our flow. Cousins is in a great place right now but Woodard and Hield (to a degree) are forcing things. The key is to get all 3 plus Spangler and the second unit guys (Buford, James, Walker) all flowing together at the same time. Make better passes, set better screens, make stronger cuts, and confidently take good shots. We do all those things and we become what we were; damn hard to guard...


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[MsProudSooner]

I dvr'ed the game and watched it when I got home to hear what ESPN had to say about us. During halftime, they said Isaiah and Woodard need to stop playing against Buddy and play with him. Do any of you agree with that statement? I've never thought that before.

No, I've never thought that. Statements like that are the reason I mute the sound and channel surf during halftime.

 

[gwydion]

I don't think they look like they are having as much fun playing, these last few of games. I wonder if the pressure of number one had them playing a little tight.

 

[Boomer]

Lock him in the gym!

 

[tmeyer3307]

I have noticed it.. I just think it happens a few times a game where Woodard or Cousins is set on not passing it to Buddy on that possession. Some jealousy going around I think, but I also think they all want to win and will do whatever it takes..

 

[CoachTalk]

I have noticed it.. I just think it happens a few times a game where Woodard or Cousins is set on not passing it to Buddy on that possession. Some jealousy going around I think, but I also think they all want to win and will do whatever it takes..

I dont think thats true at all. Everyone knows we'll go as far as buddy takes us. He's POY, of course guys think they have it that poss and take shots but I dont think thats selfish.

If it werent for Cousins drilling back to back 3's when everyone was cold. I like cousins being super aggressive. He's difference maker.

 

[soonerjunky]

Remember how Woodard played as a freshman? He drove it to the hole A LOT! he went to the free throw line A LOT. I'd like him to try that, and continue to take open 3's.

 

[sdcloud9]

I don't sense any jealousy between players, I think you have highly competitive kids that are confident they can make plays.

The players know it's Buddy's team but they also know that at times it will be their time to step up (ex. Cousins against LSU).

OU has proven when their five starters play at a high level, they are the best team in college basketball.

The question is if they can they get that back.

Last night, they beat a Top 25 team with little production from two starters. OU is a better team than some believe.

 

[AdaSooner]

Every good shooter goes through a slump on occasion. Isaiah is a good example of that. Buddy was 1-6 in the first half last night. How do they get out of their slump? Practice hard and keep shooting.

No one even thinks about the four games slump Cousins went through anymore. And, so it will be with Woodard when he finds his stroke again.

 

[Kewllane]

Honestly, the worst team for Woodard to try and get out of his slump was/is Texas. Their length and switching every screen made it almost impossible for him to get any good looks, even off of switches. When he would get an open shot, I'm sure he was so shocked, he'd just miss it. I know Baylor has length, but in a zone, it's easier for someone like Woodard to get an open shot on the back side. Just didn't/won't happen against this year's Texas team. I expect Jordan to have a much easier time on Saturday and wouldn't be shocked to see his slump finally end.

 

[sperry]

They need to keep bombing away from downtown. If we go away from that because we're in a slump, we'll be in trouble.

 

[cvangild]

Better for him to go through his slump now, than a month from now!!!! Get it out of your system Jordan!!! And keep firing away!

 

[bearcreekfan]

I dvr'ed the game and watched it when I got home to hear what ESPN had to say about us. During halftime, they said Isaiah and Woodard need to stop playing against Buddy and play with him. Do any of you agree with that statement? I've never thought that before.

Jay Williams made that comment and he also said, "Get him some easy shots." I don't think he was wrong with his analysis of the first half last night. He wasn't commenting on those two in general for the season, but on their ability to set up Buddy in that game, as Cousins only had one assist in the first half and Woodard had none.

That said, UT's defense vs. Lon's typical offensive philosophy and OU's poor shooting contributed to the lack of "easy shots" in the first half. I'm glad Lon and OU adjusted at halftime and went to the basket more. Drawing fouls and getting to the FT line relatively early in the second half, certainly aided the comeback.

 

[Soonerinkc]

J I'm glad Lon and OU adjusted at halftime and went to the basket more. Drawing fouls and getting to the FT line relatively early in the second half, certainly aided the comeback.

this is what kills me...

I'd say 90% of us posting during the ksu game and ut game were saying...DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE...obviously the def has something to do with that..but it #1 can draw fouls, #2 might open the outside shot more.

The few times we drove in the first half that happened, then we went back to not driving.

At ksu they didn't really start driving til 2 - 3 min left...and the 2nd half last night.

I guess I would have adjusted sooner than either of those times.

 

[OklahomaLibertarian]

I think it's just cuzz they're guarding Woodard better now. Teams are scouting our offense better and it's all about driving us off that 3-pt line, even if it gives us a lane to the basket. Because once we drive, if our guards dish it to one of the bigs there's a good chance they'll drop it or blow the layup. They're just playing the odds.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I think it's just cuzz they're guarding Woodard better now. Teams are scouting our offense better and it's all about driving us off that 3-pt line, even if it gives us a lane to the basket. Because once we drive, if our guards dish it to one of the bigs there's a good chance they'll drop it or blow the layup. They're just playing the odds.

lol, that actually makes sense. We shoot the 3 best, keep us from doing that. On top of that, our bigs are not use to that.

I will add, ut's bigs didn't outscores ours by a ton and lattin didn't score...but driving will open the 3, especially since all 3 can...and Woodard, for a little as he is, does a good job of finishing or getting fouled. Buddy and Cousins are big guards and should be able to challenge a post player.