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Post by Grizzfan1 on Sept 22, 2009 17:38:15 GMT -5
Been a bit quiet on the boards lately but I thought I might post this since October is right around the corner and Grizzly Madnezz is just a few weeks away. What do fans expect to see this year?? I mean the whole nine yards, incoming freshmen, Larry Wright, schedule, etc.Nearly every preseason pub I have seen so far has picked us first and some have been by a pretty wide margin. Kito, JJ, and D. Nel have been listed on every All conference ballot (rightfully so) and some have had JJ and Kito as the player of the year. I know that some naysayers might be thinking back to the Mike Helms era of several years ago when we were last picked as the unanimous favorite but there are two things to consider. #1 - this team is by far better cohesion wise and seem to have a better head on their shoulders as far as knowing what is important regards to the teams goals and #2 - We had no point guard the caliber of JJ at that time. No disrespect to Demarcus and Pierre Dukes (who will be forever immortalized at OU) but JJ has truly become one of a kind. I also like the schedule even if it is road heavy. I like Dave Pemberton's predictions BTW pembertonpoint.blogspot.com/2009/09/ou-mens-schedule-is-out-heres-my.htmlWe have a "legitamite" chance to knock off some big boys on the road this year (I may leave Kansas and MSU off the list seeing as though those two may be preseason #1, and #2 respectively) but I really see us knocking off Wisconsin for some reason. I know it is early but that is just one game where I really feel confident that the guys can do it.
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Post by Germane on Sept 23, 2009 11:47:29 GMT -5
Lots of expectations going into this year (but not much time to write them up right now).
One big expectation: the continuing development of Benson into a dominant presence in the paint, with national attention. Should be fun to watch.
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Post by blackandgold on Sept 23, 2009 20:28:46 GMT -5
Thanks for Grizzfan1 for trying to keep the board active. I've got a whole bunch of expectations, namely...
1. Make the NCAA tournament. This is my senior year, thus my last time to be a fan in the student section. I would love nothing more than to be able to drive with friends long distances to watch OU play a powerhouse in the first round. It would cap the amazing experience I've had at OU. It's a bit selfish, but it's the truth.
2. Keith Benson to become the real deal and known on a national level.
3. Beat two of the major schools we're playing, preferably Memphis and Wisconsin.
4. Own the Summit League.
5. See something...anything... out of Ilija.
6. A successful integration of Larry Wright into the starting 5. Hope that his "Big East" hype is real.
7. What can Jay Thames do with a redshirt year under his belt?
8. Which freshmen will redshirt, if any?
9. Break attendance records. Break student section records not only in attendance but in pride. Be "the student section" of the Summit League.
10. Hope to see flashes from the freshmen/sophomore to ensure OU's continued success beyond this year.
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Post by Germane on Sept 24, 2009 8:14:23 GMT -5
Full agreement with all of blackandgold's points. I would add a couple of things I'd like to see this year:
1. Good team chemistry. There is a ton of talent on this team, and talented players have egos. Winning brings harmony, and this team should rack up some serious wins this year. If the team doesn't perform up to expectations, though, chemistry might be an issue. (Fortunately, last time I checked, Mike Helms was still playing on a different continent.)
2. Senior leadership. Our two seniors, Jones and Nelson (actually 3 counting John Kast), need to lead on and off the court. Off the court in helping keep guys focused during long road stretches, and on the court in preventing the type of late-game collapses that killed us against NDSU in the tourney. I'm a little concerned about Nelson being rusty, but he and JJ need to go out big this year.
3. Defense. Last year we gave up a lot of 3's, but overall we were third in the Summit in FG% defense. So despite the criticisms, we defended pretty well for much of the season. I'll assume that some players still need to make big strides in this area (Maynard), but overall we should be better defensively this year - especially since this is one area where the loss of Kangas doesn't really kill us. Benson is already OU's all-time leading shot blocker (with 2 years left to play!) and he should continue to be a game changer in the paint.
4. Rebounding. Waterstradt rebounded pretty well for us last year (avg. 5.3 boards in around 20 min/game), and we might notice his absence a little. But the return of Nelson - combined with added muscle on Benson and Hudson - should more than compensate.
5. Home court dominance. Like blackandgold said, we need students to keep coming out in droves and make the Grizz Gang the loudest student section in the league (I would argue it already was last year). One benefit of having a relatively weak slate of OOC home games this year (partial exception: Green Bay) is that we have a real shot at another undefeated season in the O'Rena.
6. Don't just be happy to show up against the high majors. We need to do more than just put together a respectable half here or there against the big programs. Playing the likely preseason #1 and #2 teams in the country gives us a chance at a real signature upset (no offense to Ernie Kent and Oregon).
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Post by sportsdoctor05 on Sept 24, 2009 9:45:00 GMT -5
Expectations this season
1. Win Summit regular season & tourney championship 2. Knock off Wisconsin 3. Knock off Memphis 4. Win a game in the NCAA tourney 5. Get some national attn 6. JJ lead nation in assists again 7. Kito Benson dominate 8. D. Nelson caome back strong 9. Lary Wright come on strong 10. Play solid defense
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GGH
Rookie
Posts: 7
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Post by GGH on Sept 24, 2009 18:41:55 GMT -5
I echo the sentiments above. My minimum expectation is capturing the Summit League regular season and post-season titles. It's time this team started to collect some conference hardware on a regular basis.
Of course, I'd love to see OU drop at least one of the non-conference big boys. If they can manage to beat two, they will position themselves to land something other than a 16 seed in The Dance.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Sept 24, 2009 21:17:39 GMT -5
Good responses thus far. Winning the league title (reg season and tourney title) is practically a must. It has been a little to long since this program has had either.
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Post by dantheman on Sept 25, 2009 8:54:02 GMT -5
I believe it goes without saying that they must capture the summit league to even begin considering this season as a success.
Keeping the home winning streak alive would also be great and expected considering the opponents coming here.
I would like to see Kito progress obviously, but more than anyone I am stoked to see Larry Wright out there in the black and gold.
I am hoping that Cush and Maynard will take the next step in their progression.
We need to knock off at least one of the big opponents, if not 2. There is little point in scheduling them only to get beat badly and rack up the losses.
I fully expect students to be out in droves to all of the games this year, and the expectation of continued and increased student involvement also goes without saying.
The final thing I want to see, and this may be putting the cart before the horse, but I want to see us secure at least a 14 seed in the tournament. To be that team in March that nobody wants to play in the first round would be great.
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Post by biglew on Sept 28, 2009 17:40:46 GMT -5
I would like to add to the already long list above....
- Beat Oregon...again
They circled that date and I would love to send them home again thinking OU is for real.
I want to see Oregon in the O'Rena next year.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Sept 28, 2009 22:16:34 GMT -5
I would like to add to the already long list above.... - Beat Oregon...again They circled that date and I would love to send them home again thinking OU is for real. I want to see Oregon in the O'Rena next year. The series was just for 3 years. The Ducks played at the Palace as part of the 2 for 1 deal. If the guys beat them again this season they may never want to hear the word "Oakland" again. Not even "Oakland", California.
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