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.

Post from: EveryJoe

Poster Material

In front of him stand two very accomplished upper classmen guards who, while not gaudy or brass, do their jobs well within the system. And it’s a rather lengthy backcourt as well. Junior Austin Johnson, 6’3, and senior Tony Crocker, 6’6, both play within themselves and are fundamentally sound. Both are expected to play 30 plus minutes a game, but don’t necessarily need to put up scoring numbers excessively better than last year. Quality, not quantity, should be Tony and Austin’s aim. Though 4.6 assists/gm between the two could afford to improve.

Besides the anticipation of Warren, there are four other newcomers to the program, three of which are JC transfers. Head Coach Jeff Capel likes each one, but is really impressed with 6′6 forward/athlete Juan Pattillo

“Juan is a great athlete,” stressed Capel. “He plays hard, has a tremendous body, can play above the rim. He’s guy who you don’t give a position. He’s just a basketball player. He can affect the game in different ways with his ability to slash and his mid-range shot. He should be a really good offensive rebounder and he has a chance to be a really good defender who can match up at multiple positions.”

Another prime time Juco athlete, 6’8 Kyle Cannon, can really shoot the ball, but Capel is still cautious as to which position Kyle is best suited for.

“Kyle is a 6-8 skilled player. I wouldn’t label him as a post guy, necessarily. Like Juan, he’s just a basketball player. When healthy, he’s a good athlete. He just has a good feel for the game. He’s another guy who will give us flexibility. We could play him, Taylor and Blake together; him, Taylor and Ryan together. We’ll be able to do different things because of Kyle’s ability to step away from the basket and shoot, and because of his ability to pass.”

source

I’m not so sure OU fans are keen on Capel’s avoidance of issuing positions to these great athletes. It could be a ploy, one in which gives the opposition some hope that said newcomers aren’t bona fide skilled players, just hyper athletes who could eventually develop. I’ve heard plenty of times how a player has the ability to shoot the ball, yet can’t be fitted for a position. Usually there’s an underlying falsity about the player’s “strengths”, and while the potential is there, no concrete authentication should probably come about from a position less athlete. But on paper the Sooners garner much enthusiasm because of the depth, height and overall seasoning they seemingly exude.

I find the Sooners to be in a position very similar to the Tar Heels. A one year window of opportunity (of course UNC’s window has been agape a lot recently) to win the big one is certainly attainable, just based on the top five players alone.

It was close. If normalcy had persisted, neither team would even be in the discussion this year.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sooners at #4