OUSKINS
1/17/2009, 08:56 PM
--Don't like it one bit when refs get as ticky-tack as they did today. The game was called "fairly" if not slightly in OU's favor, but all of those off-the-ball fouls, traveling calls, and hand-checks make it very difficult for the game or any individuals to get into a flow.
--OU controlled the tempo of the game early. TAMU seemed a bit taken aback early at first and somewhat tentative--which is odd for an underdog team playing at home. In those situations, you can usually count on the home team coming out hot like KSU did last Saturday. To be honest, TAMU spent the entire game trying to claw back from the early 9-0 deficit-- they never got there.
--No problem with how Blake played today. Not a good game for him overall, but he was pretty assertive and helped us get off to such a good start. He got into some foul trouble and I thought Capel did a good job of getting him in and out of the game. Blake simply had a hard time getting the ball to fall tonight-- that's going to happen. But I liked that he didn't go into a shell or shy away from the ball.
--Austin Johsnon probably played the best game of his career today. He was superb on both ends of the floor. Excellent defense for the second game in a row and those three's he hit were DAGGERS for the Aggies. He also created offense for the rest of the team and displayed some true senior leadership. The easy MVP of the game.
--The "runner up" for MVP was definitely Taylor. Looks like he's gotten back to his "garbage man" ways. He was hustling all over the floor and taking advantage of his offensive opportunities. Lately, I think he's been forcing his offense at times, but today I only counted one poor decision. Those shots off the glass in the second half were huge.
--My love-hate relationship with Tony Crocker continues with serious intensity. Crocker was great against Texas on Monday; he was downriight awful today. 6 turnovers from a non-point guard? Really? He was a mess when he had the ball in his hands. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a severe hot-cold player. I just don't get it.
--Willie was quiet today--- no problem with that though. Other guys were rolling and he just kind of tagged along...he did make one HUGE three during a TAMU run though and those little floating runners are a thing of beauty. I never worry about Willie-- I trust that he understands when he needs to take over and when he can afford to hang back. He is a very smart basketball player.
--Kudos to Ryan Wright for finally making an impact. He did a fine job filling in for Blake. First time all year he's really made any kind of impact that mattered.
--This probably wasn't our "best" win of the season, but it might be the most gratifying. This was a really tough game to win-- TAMU is a solid team and they are excellent at home. Coming off the UT win and facing a sold-out crowd, had all of the makings of bad afternoon. But Capel had the guys ready to go for this one...I think the blase' effort we saw against Arkansas may have woken them up a bit.
--Look around the country....winning on the road in conference isn't easy...for anyone. I'm really happy we've started 2-0 on the road and we've made it real clear early that we are by far the team to beat in the Big 12.
I'm feeling really confident in the team right now....they have been very focused and aggressive in their three B12 games.
Now, they have fairly interesting week ahead: Nebraska on Wed; Baylor Saturday and at OSU the following Monday. The Cornhuskers are on average team...nothing special, but probably a bit better than in years past. Remember, they DESTROYED us in Lincoln last year. I expect a win, but I'm not totally writing them off.
Baylor is exciting..their game against OSU today was highly entertaining. I think there's a chance OSU and Baylor are BOTH better than Texas....impressed by both so far. Those will be good tests.
--OU controlled the tempo of the game early. TAMU seemed a bit taken aback early at first and somewhat tentative--which is odd for an underdog team playing at home. In those situations, you can usually count on the home team coming out hot like KSU did last Saturday. To be honest, TAMU spent the entire game trying to claw back from the early 9-0 deficit-- they never got there.
--No problem with how Blake played today. Not a good game for him overall, but he was pretty assertive and helped us get off to such a good start. He got into some foul trouble and I thought Capel did a good job of getting him in and out of the game. Blake simply had a hard time getting the ball to fall tonight-- that's going to happen. But I liked that he didn't go into a shell or shy away from the ball.
--Austin Johsnon probably played the best game of his career today. He was superb on both ends of the floor. Excellent defense for the second game in a row and those three's he hit were DAGGERS for the Aggies. He also created offense for the rest of the team and displayed some true senior leadership. The easy MVP of the game.
--The "runner up" for MVP was definitely Taylor. Looks like he's gotten back to his "garbage man" ways. He was hustling all over the floor and taking advantage of his offensive opportunities. Lately, I think he's been forcing his offense at times, but today I only counted one poor decision. Those shots off the glass in the second half were huge.
--My love-hate relationship with Tony Crocker continues with serious intensity. Crocker was great against Texas on Monday; he was downriight awful today. 6 turnovers from a non-point guard? Really? He was a mess when he had the ball in his hands. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a severe hot-cold player. I just don't get it.
--Willie was quiet today--- no problem with that though. Other guys were rolling and he just kind of tagged along...he did make one HUGE three during a TAMU run though and those little floating runners are a thing of beauty. I never worry about Willie-- I trust that he understands when he needs to take over and when he can afford to hang back. He is a very smart basketball player.
--Kudos to Ryan Wright for finally making an impact. He did a fine job filling in for Blake. First time all year he's really made any kind of impact that mattered.
--This probably wasn't our "best" win of the season, but it might be the most gratifying. This was a really tough game to win-- TAMU is a solid team and they are excellent at home. Coming off the UT win and facing a sold-out crowd, had all of the makings of bad afternoon. But Capel had the guys ready to go for this one...I think the blase' effort we saw against Arkansas may have woken them up a bit.
--Look around the country....winning on the road in conference isn't easy...for anyone. I'm really happy we've started 2-0 on the road and we've made it real clear early that we are by far the team to beat in the Big 12.
I'm feeling really confident in the team right now....they have been very focused and aggressive in their three B12 games.
Now, they have fairly interesting week ahead: Nebraska on Wed; Baylor Saturday and at OSU the following Monday. The Cornhuskers are on average team...nothing special, but probably a bit better than in years past. Remember, they DESTROYED us in Lincoln last year. I expect a win, but I'm not totally writing them off.
Baylor is exciting..their game against OSU today was highly entertaining. I think there's a chance OSU and Baylor are BOTH better than Texas....impressed by both so far. Those will be good tests.