ScatterThoughts | OU vs. Creighton
Posted on: November 20, 2014
Image via zimbio.com
I can’t promise you I’m going to do this after every game, but I can tell you I’m going to make an effort (for those of you who care about OU sports other than just football — no shots or judgment, just aware that’s a reality for a number of OU fans) to do so after at least their big games in this 2014-15 season. If you’re following the team and want to read, cool. If you’re not then I’m sure the next football post will be up shortly.
* Credit Creighton — and their incredible crowd, wow! I’m not sure I can ever remember an OU basketball game in November being that intense — for overcoming a big second half deficit and making the plays down the stretch to pick up the victory.
* Buddy Hield is going to be a household name by the end of the year. So much so he might have a decision to make, but I don’t even really want to talk about that for fear of jinxing things. So I’ll just say I can’t wait to watch what he does the rest of the year.
On most nights, he’s going to be the driving offensive force on this team and that was once again the case last night. However, there was a pretty decent stretch, after his red-hot start, where he kind of disappeared. Then reappeared. Then once again disappeared in the final minutes.
* Speaking of the final minutes….man, that was hard to watch. OU looked completely lost offensively and continued to settle for jump shots, many of which did not go in.
* I think what bothered me the most wasn’t actually blowing what, at one point, was a 18 point second half lead, but the bad habits I saw this team slip back in to in the second half.
I already mentioned settling for jump shots on the offensive end, but their poor and/or lazy defensive effort in looked eerily reminiscent to last year’s squad. It played a significant part in allowing Creighton to erase said big lead (as did CU getting hot from three early in the second half & OU’s own offensive struggles).
* Part of the problem is OU still doesn’t have a post guy you can just throw the ball in to who can go get you a bucket and/or get to the free throw line. Ryan Spangler showed some of that in the opener, but the level of competition was much weaker and even with his improvement he’s still not a guy you can count on down there just yet. That said, he’s three three-pointers last night (which ties how many he had all of last year) were a welcome surprise and you just expect him to get every rebound and put up a double-double.
And TaShawn Thomas, at least last night, looks to be more of a face-up big man than a back-to-the-basket type.
* Speaking of Thomas, I thought we saw last night why people were/are so excited. He had a couple of big dunks, a couple face-up jumpers, and looked strong off the dribble.
* We’re only two games into the season, so I’m certainly not anywhere close to hitting the panic button, but Jordan Woodard definitely has not played well so far. And that’s coming off a similarly poor stretch of play at the end of last year as well. He had a couple of inexcusable turnovers in the final minutes of last night’s game that really hurt.
* Tough night for Isaiah Cousins as well, but he’s prone to those being primarily a jump-shooting scorer. On nights when you’re shot isn’t falling, it can be ugly at times. Plus he had a hard time getting into the flow of the game because of foul trouble.
* Dinjyl Walker looks like he is going to be a very valuable asset off the bench.
But I’m interested to hear what you thought, so get at me in the comments.
41 Comments
Walker has definitely looked more polished than Woodard, looks like he’s about to hit a sophomore slump. I’m going to hold out judgment on the potential of this team right now. It would have helped to have Thomas in the exhibitions and practicing as a starter, they have time to Gel. Creighton was a tough place to play this early in the year. Hopefully Kruger fixes a few things, hate to see an experienced team like this lose a big lead like they did.
Agree on Walker, Woodard is still so inconsistent. Sure wish this team had more coming off the bench, but hoping they will get better moving forward.
They simply have to get better at stopping the dribble penetration. Teams will get hot off and on from outside but the penetration absolutely kills the D.
Also, Buddy did a lot of great things but I think he took some difficult shots in the 2nd half trying to do too much. We need to work the ball more and get the ball to Thomas on the post instead of at the 3 point line. Let’s see what the big guy can do down low instead of watching him dribble drive a big guy from the outside.
I agree w/ you, but I think that’s just something you have to live w/ from Buddy. He’s prone to take some turrible shots, but there’s way more good (most nights) than there is bad.
They CHOKED like there football team
easy now
*their
*the
November college basketball games really don’t tell you/mean much….lets see what happens in January/February.
I thought that the stretch where they gave up the big lead had more to do with bad defense. They looked tired towards the end of game 1 even with all of the subbing and I thought they looked tired last night when they gave up two huge runs. To me they should be ready to play at this point I blame that on conditioning. I dont think this game was a sign of things to come. IMO when they get into game shape they will be really good.
This team still lives & dies by the jumper… I wish they’d utilize the drive for more than just kickout 3’s…
Good points. Very similar to what I was thinking, especially about the laziness on defense for long stretches. Some of my thoughts: Isaiah Cousins has no business handling the ball in crunch time. Dude makes some of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen when the chips are down. Jordan Woodard looked fine to me, except for one thing – DRIVE THE DAMN BALL! It was clear that his responsibility was to get others involved, but all last year and so far this year it’s also clear no one can stop him from getting deep into the defense without fouling. It was maddening to watch him take 9 seconds to get it into the front court and pass it around until there are 10 seconds left without any attempt to get someone open. And then he would have an opening to drive the lane and he would just pass it off. I don’t mind slowing down the offense to get the right play in and getting other teammates involved, but we just spend so much time doing NOTHING, and that’s what we end up coming away with. Buddy, learn to move around and get yourself open please. Standing around isn’t going to get you the shots you want. All that said, I think this team has a lot of talent and potential, and is really fun to watch when they’re not being lazy. And no way is Buddy ready for the NBA this year. He’s not going up strong to the basket and he’s not active enough to get open. He’s got potential to be a contributor, but he’s still got a ways to go.
Two more things – the fans…too much like K-State fans for my taste. They boo everything, which only serves to make them sound stupid. But they’re loud and clearly support their team, though. Second, I’m really unimpressed with the amount of flopping that’s going on in the college game now. I’d kind of hoped that this would stay an NBA phenomenon, but after watching some other games and Creighton last night, it’s infected the college game too. So annoying.
good points on both
I liked what i saw. Sure we have things to work on but the talent is there. You dont want to peak too early in basketball. Play your best basketball in march
+1 to that
The turnovers down the stretch were horrible. To me, that is what cost OU the game. They looked like the moment was too big for them. I liked a lot of what I saw, but damn…. those TO’s killed us.
They game may have not gone OUr way but I was able to run into these guys after the game.
very cool
I thought the early foul trouble was a problem as well. It seemed that Creighten went to the line pretty early. It was great seeing the squad out there, they really are coming together. That’s another thing I like about basketball. Losses aren’t as big of a deal and really give the team time to improve in the long run. This is a great Sooner Squad and fun to watch, I know I can’t wait to make it down to Norman. Usually we hit up Victoria’s Pasta Shop then the Llyod Nobel.
Just some thoughts:
– Buddy, and some of the others, have poor shot selection issues. I know Buddy seems to be our best scorer, but his shot selection at times is just beyond bad. As a junior, he has to be better and realize the damage just chucking up questionable shots does to offensive flow. Just tired of watching terrible, contested, pull up jumpers. It’s just poor basketball.
– Toughness seemed to be missing last night. I suppose maybe it was partially due to what seemed like a lackluster effort on D in the second half, but I can’t recall seeing one of our guys put any of their guys on their @ss around the basket. Outside of Lattin providing a nice boost with some blocks, our big men seemed mostly nonexistent.
– This is still Creighton at home we’re talking about. If not for a blown 18 pt. lead, would we be that down about a loss last night? Yeah, we should win this game, but there’s not a lot of shame in losing this one, if not for a poor 2nd half effort on D.
– I want to see Thomas inside. He has a big body and some moves, he just needs to play on the block more. Not saying he can dominate down there, but he can give us more of a threat than we have.
– Spangler shooting outside has me confused. It’s nice when they go in and they make the D respect it, but then when he chucks up an air ball (that was short by around 6 feet), it negates any positive there was previously. It seems to be an added wrinkle, but not if it’s so inconsistent that the D doesn’t care.
Mostly agree with what you said but the Spangler comment is kind of an over reaction. He did shoot an air ball but he was 3/4 from deep against Creighton. Pretty sure any team in the country would be ecstatic to have their 4/5 be able to put up those kind of numbers in addition to his phenomenal rebounding talent and solid D.
I just want to say thanks about the read man. I believe the basketball team deserves the attention.
totally agree
I saw Buddy Love and co. come to town last year in DC. There was a large OU fan presence at that game. Having seen them up close, I can’t believe how high Spangler can jump and Buddy Love possess NBA level body control in mid-air. Really looking forward to watching them play. And if you’re in Norman, go do yourself a favor and go to a game.
The thing for me wasn’t so much settling for jump shots but the very poor ball handling in the last 5 minutes. I think we had something like 5 or 6 extremely lazy turnovers.
I thought that the ending was similar to what the Thunder went through last night in their loss. So it isn’t unique to college or to talent. When teams get behind they have to be cautious about good technique but anyone’s plan can fall away at crunch time. They just have to get better, and find their play makers at the end, or in the Thunders case, get them back from injury. As Tyson said; “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” They will learn to fight back harder and rely on each other. A loss like this can be a learning experience, and I know how trite that sounds, but it became a truism because it is often what happens.
Saw this vine out there….nice!
http://vine.co/#/v/OJJQZXZIlYv
Thanks, JE. I appreciate the article & effort.
happy to do it. i always try to get word out about the other OU teams/student athletes. they work just as hard as the football players. they deserve coverage as well, IMO.
Just watched it. Second half swing, lack of decisive offensive, and timid D. The offense is going to have to improve from Woodard in terms of scoring. The first half was awesome.
OU is a nice team but probably not a top 15 type team…..Barring a rush of key injuries, the Sooners should ‘net’ a NCAA tourney bid and make it to the round of 16. Don’t think this team has the size, speed, skill to play with the ‘big boys’ ( Kentucky, Lousiville, Mich St., texas, UCLA, etc) in the tournament……Kruger, however, does a nice job with the DEMOGRAPHIC challanges he faces. He does a nice job of getting top 300 guys and the program probably ranks 3rd or 4th in the Little 12-2 behind Kansas, texas, & Puke St.
I love Lon but it really annoys me that he won’t use a time out when the other team is on a run. There are so many positives the can come from a well timed break in action.
I would normally VERY much agree, but I feel like he did do this last night (where in years past he has not). I could be wrong, as I’ve heard others make this same point and be told he did call at least one, possibly two TOs during their big run.
He waits a little too long is all. I think he’s trying to do like Popovich and let them play their way out of it. But we don’t have Duncan, Ginobili and Parker.
He did call a timeout but it was many possessions too late. I doubt it had anything to do with ‘stopping the run’. I wouldn’t have an issue if it was just a learning experience early in the season. My frustration comes from knowing Lon doesn’t call ‘momentum’ timeouts during league and tournament games.
That said, it’s not often Lon gives me something to complain about. I am grateful to have him as our coach!
FIRE HEUPEL!!!!
Wait, sorry. Wrong thread.
That was tough, especially after being up so big on them in the second half. I will say, if the guys can walk into one of the hardest places to play in the country, play as bad as they did for most of the second half (which I’m sure coach will never let them forget), and STILL almost get the W then there is still just as much to be optimistic for. I’m with you on Woodard, though, I was expecting major growth at the point; perhaps it’s just off start that will change soon with some good coaching.
Thanks Jordan. If you post it, I’ll read it. Bummed by our performance. We have to play better D (where I have I heard this before?).
That whole second half was hard to watch. Absolutely crazy how different you can look from one half to the next. It seemed like they thought they could coast to the finish after being up 18 and looked dazed and confused once Creighton made their big run. I’ll take solace in hoping this loss actually helps this team realize what they need to do night in and night out to close out games. Brought flashbacks from Texas 2 years ago when we were up 22 midway through the 2nd half just to wind up losing in OT.