OUSKINS
1/6/2009, 08:32 AM
Went to the Maryland Eastern Shore game....out of 343 D1 teams, UMES was ranked 338th in the RPI going into this game......after watching them, I think that ranking may be kind.
Actually, they had a few kids shoot the ball pretty well, but they were as
under-talented a basketball team as I've ever seen. Maine is the only other team we've played this year that's quite at THAT level-- Miss Valley St. would school these guys.
So, obviously, you look beyond the score and try to find things to analyze. OU pretty much went through the motions tonight. For those that don't know, Jeff Capel was in the hospital recovering from a virus-- assistant coach Mark Cline led the charges tonight. Now, coach Cline can say that the team averages 100 points a game when he's in charge. Yep, OU scored in triple digits for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.
Once again, the bench played a bunch, and they played pretty well. Orlando Allen was especially good-- showing some nice post moves and getting 5 blocks. He's just a bit too raw to see much action against better competiton right now, but it looks like he's worth developing for the future-- we're going to need all the help we can get once Blake leaves.
Ray Willis again showed a innate ability to score and Kyle Cannon got in on the action as well-- he hit the three that put us over the 100 point mark.
The only "negative" I took from this game was Taylor Griffin-- he continues to struggle out there and seems to be having some real confidence issues. We'll need him to get it together as Big 12 arrives.
My overall grade for the team after the non conference games:
B+
It wasn't quite an A, not because we lost to Arkansas, but because we played so poorly at times in that game and because we've seemed to lack interest at other points during our first 15 games.
However, it's still a WELL above average grade because 14-1 is pretty darn good and we showed plenty of flashes of being a dangerous and potentially explosive team.
What I know.....
--Blake needs to bring the energy every night. When he doesn't, the entire team seems to follow.
--When Crocker scores, our offense looks fluid, when he doesn't, it looks
stagnant.
--Willie Warren is WAY ahead of schedule-- I'm already beginning to worry we could lose him after one year....he has the game for the NBA-- I'm just hoping his "tweener" size keeps him from making the jump quite yet. As long as he's on the floor, OU will be a dangerous team.
--Ryan Wright has been a disappointment. Hasn't really given us the depth we were hoping for...either he needs to play better or Allen needs more minutes.
All in all, we didn't play any elite teams yet, but we played quite a few good
teams that will be in the Tourney come March-- and we beat them all, save for the loss in Arkansas.
Obviously, everyone is looking forward to the UT game next Monday night in
Norman....I know I am. But first, we have to play at K-State. The Wildcats are EXACTLY the type of team that could give us problems this year. KSU is nothing special at all (maybe an NIT team), but they have enough talent to burn us at home if we go through the motions. I think we'll be able to gauge a bit of something about our maturity level after Saturday.
Actually, they had a few kids shoot the ball pretty well, but they were as
under-talented a basketball team as I've ever seen. Maine is the only other team we've played this year that's quite at THAT level-- Miss Valley St. would school these guys.
So, obviously, you look beyond the score and try to find things to analyze. OU pretty much went through the motions tonight. For those that don't know, Jeff Capel was in the hospital recovering from a virus-- assistant coach Mark Cline led the charges tonight. Now, coach Cline can say that the team averages 100 points a game when he's in charge. Yep, OU scored in triple digits for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.
Once again, the bench played a bunch, and they played pretty well. Orlando Allen was especially good-- showing some nice post moves and getting 5 blocks. He's just a bit too raw to see much action against better competiton right now, but it looks like he's worth developing for the future-- we're going to need all the help we can get once Blake leaves.
Ray Willis again showed a innate ability to score and Kyle Cannon got in on the action as well-- he hit the three that put us over the 100 point mark.
The only "negative" I took from this game was Taylor Griffin-- he continues to struggle out there and seems to be having some real confidence issues. We'll need him to get it together as Big 12 arrives.
My overall grade for the team after the non conference games:
B+
It wasn't quite an A, not because we lost to Arkansas, but because we played so poorly at times in that game and because we've seemed to lack interest at other points during our first 15 games.
However, it's still a WELL above average grade because 14-1 is pretty darn good and we showed plenty of flashes of being a dangerous and potentially explosive team.
What I know.....
--Blake needs to bring the energy every night. When he doesn't, the entire team seems to follow.
--When Crocker scores, our offense looks fluid, when he doesn't, it looks
stagnant.
--Willie Warren is WAY ahead of schedule-- I'm already beginning to worry we could lose him after one year....he has the game for the NBA-- I'm just hoping his "tweener" size keeps him from making the jump quite yet. As long as he's on the floor, OU will be a dangerous team.
--Ryan Wright has been a disappointment. Hasn't really given us the depth we were hoping for...either he needs to play better or Allen needs more minutes.
All in all, we didn't play any elite teams yet, but we played quite a few good
teams that will be in the Tourney come March-- and we beat them all, save for the loss in Arkansas.
Obviously, everyone is looking forward to the UT game next Monday night in
Norman....I know I am. But first, we have to play at K-State. The Wildcats are EXACTLY the type of team that could give us problems this year. KSU is nothing special at all (maybe an NIT team), but they have enough talent to burn us at home if we go through the motions. I think we'll be able to gauge a bit of something about our maturity level after Saturday.