Poster Material

Freshman guard Zach Novak of Michigan is one courageous fellow.   Zack would have been better served to just let Griffin have a free flush.

Blake Griffin was indifferent.

The man was just too much for the smaller, weaker Michigan Wolverines.  And the officials were too much for them as well, but I don’t like to make excuses.

Image: Newscom

The Sooner starting five is splendidly well rounded and can score inside and out.  There’s not too much to gripe about between that bunch.

But the bench.

It’s been lacking all season.

Against Michigan 18 minutes total for the Sooner bench.   No field goals made and no real influence on the game.  It wouldn’t be a big deal if it didn’t happen so often.  But it does.

Jeff Capel is to blame.

You can’t win the whole thing without a competent bench.  How is the bench suppose to be effective if they don’t get any minutes?   Forward Juan Pattillo is capable of playing extended minutes. He’s athletic and extremely active on defense.  In 15 min/gm he averages over a 6 points and a block.

Yet Capel has fallen in love too much with his starting five, especially the Griffin bros.

You know, I really don’t blame him much.

But come the round of 16 where a likely matchup with Syracuse looms, don’t expect for the Sooners to survive the Orange big men without some contributions from other big(s).  It’s probably up to Mr. Pattillo.  I think Capel has given up on Ryan Wright.