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

In no particular order and in no particular feeling of confidence either:

**** Scoff at it, just get mad at it UofA fans. Your team will lay an egg this year but totally get hot and win the NIT.

^ Addition by subtraction in Texas—ludicrous to say maybe, but D.J. and A.J. were beguiling wonders on the court that irrevocably held back the Longhorns from placing more impactful punches against stronger fighters.

$ The Spartans will further cement themselves as the college version of the 21st century Detroit Pistons. Each has won one championship, yet both fan bases are becoming impatient with the standstill success. So much talent yet so little to show for it.

#!#@ Calling Conference USA a power conference was a little wishful. That statement, although made while sober, still feels dirty, but it could end up alright. Just hoping Vaden or some other power conference guy can make a run at the scoring title.

? Calling Northwestern a NIT team was an undemonstrative springboard to tomfoolery, as this season I will probably be glued to all news NW basketball, akin to the energy I gave them during the Jitim Young and Tavaras Hardy days.

(Preview of Big Ten season)—Probably the most accurate prediction of the Big Ten season as you will find, minus the Michigan placement. No Big Ten quality pg will be available to suit up for the Wolvies until the second semester.—-

% Hasheem Thabeet is ready for a monster year and a long run into the tourney. It would not be surprising to see the Huskies stay in the top 5 for the entire season, especially if Thabeet can average 14.5ppg, 9 reb and more than 4 blk. Just think about the terror an offensively skilled Thabeet would be.

高人 Speaking of impact big men, one should keep an eye out for UNC-Asheville’s Kenny George. When fresh, he’s really not much different than your rudimentary 7 foot center, except for the fact George can regularly hit free throws and, while this might not seem feasible, still surprises many guards with his length. After awhile you’d think they would find new ways to attack a 7’7 dude, but often they make the same mistake over and over. However the time to attack George is when he’s sucking major air. Not exactly an original idea, yet, for huge guy, the opportunities present themselves much more frequently.

It’s almost as of George has decent enough foot speed to move laterally and react, but it’s the body that often takes awhile to catch up. If the coach can really substitute him frequently and wisely, UNC-Asheville will be the best in the Big South.

The next two are direct matchup predictions.

$$$ The Big Ten will once again fall to the superior ACC and it will, as it has always been, be because of the significant back of the conference weakness’s of the Big Ten. Need I go further?

\&/ The Fighting Irish will beat the Tar Heels in the finals of the Maui Invitational.

So with that out of the way,

#1

My pick to win the whole enchilada.

Discuss.

photo credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Ahhh Finally