OUSKINS
2/9/2009, 07:23 PM
Managing an 8-day old baby girl has cut into my OU basketball internet-analysis time, so it feels good to post this rambling :)
I did manage to make it to the game on Saturday and I was pretty pleased with the crowd both in terms of size and volume. The masses have more or less responded to this team. It's not Duke, UNC, or KU, and it quite simply never will be, but I would think Capel and crew would remain pretty happy with the current turnout/interest level.
My analysis of the recent games?
OU is bored. Period.
I admit that is kind of an arrogant statement to make, but I think it is 100% true. The team is on cruise control right now. People keep telling me it's going to come back to haunt them, but I don't see it....here's why:
--Whenever we've had a bigger "stage" this year, the team has responded with their best efforts. They destroyed Texas and Baylor in what were our most "hyped" home games of the year. And even when we've slakced a bit, the team has been excellent in crunchtime. We played at about 50% for 3/4 of the A+M game, but then just dialed it up to a new level when it mattered.
--Against Coloroado, I think you need to give the Buffs a TON of credit. Talk about making some tough shots-- yes, our defense was lacking early, but in the second half, CU was simply hitting shots they never make. Once we took the 14 point lead, we went to sleep again and CU made the final score look closer than it was.
--I guess you could say it's a character flaw of this team that we've had difficulty dispatching some inferior opponents-- it would be nice to just see them go out and beat a team like CU by 30 and have the scrubs in to finish the game. But the reality is that teams are BRINGING IT when they play OU. I watch B12 basketball all the time, and I'm telling you, some of these teams are playing the games of their lives against OU. Sometimes, we're part of that problem, but mostly, we've simply seen good efforts from opposing players and coaches.
And still.......we haven't lost in conference and we're 23-1 overall. I'm simply not going to complain about that.
--I suspect we'll lose somewhere along the line in conference, and it could very well be because we don't take the game seriously enough. But another loss or two really isn't a big deal right now. We are WELL on track for a #1 seed in the Tourney and we'd really have to dip to fall off of that track.
--Patillo changes everything. I want to Taylor to continue to start, but it's already clear that Capel is going to go with Crocker, AJ, Blake, Willie, and the Chupacabra during the big moments. Patillo is an athletic freak. Adds a totally new dimension to the team.
So, for now, I'm cool with a little coasting. We don't want to peak too early. I think Capel needs to be patient and realize that early Feb. are the dog days of the college hoops season....he doesn't need to ride them too hard right now. Let them do their thing for a couple more weeks and then make sure the team is focused and energized headed into March.
Having said all that, as a fan, I'm competitive and I still want to see them do their best...and I'd LOVE to capture the #1 overall seed in the Tourney. So, don't coast TOO much fellas! :)
I did manage to make it to the game on Saturday and I was pretty pleased with the crowd both in terms of size and volume. The masses have more or less responded to this team. It's not Duke, UNC, or KU, and it quite simply never will be, but I would think Capel and crew would remain pretty happy with the current turnout/interest level.
My analysis of the recent games?
OU is bored. Period.
I admit that is kind of an arrogant statement to make, but I think it is 100% true. The team is on cruise control right now. People keep telling me it's going to come back to haunt them, but I don't see it....here's why:
--Whenever we've had a bigger "stage" this year, the team has responded with their best efforts. They destroyed Texas and Baylor in what were our most "hyped" home games of the year. And even when we've slakced a bit, the team has been excellent in crunchtime. We played at about 50% for 3/4 of the A+M game, but then just dialed it up to a new level when it mattered.
--Against Coloroado, I think you need to give the Buffs a TON of credit. Talk about making some tough shots-- yes, our defense was lacking early, but in the second half, CU was simply hitting shots they never make. Once we took the 14 point lead, we went to sleep again and CU made the final score look closer than it was.
--I guess you could say it's a character flaw of this team that we've had difficulty dispatching some inferior opponents-- it would be nice to just see them go out and beat a team like CU by 30 and have the scrubs in to finish the game. But the reality is that teams are BRINGING IT when they play OU. I watch B12 basketball all the time, and I'm telling you, some of these teams are playing the games of their lives against OU. Sometimes, we're part of that problem, but mostly, we've simply seen good efforts from opposing players and coaches.
And still.......we haven't lost in conference and we're 23-1 overall. I'm simply not going to complain about that.
--I suspect we'll lose somewhere along the line in conference, and it could very well be because we don't take the game seriously enough. But another loss or two really isn't a big deal right now. We are WELL on track for a #1 seed in the Tourney and we'd really have to dip to fall off of that track.
--Patillo changes everything. I want to Taylor to continue to start, but it's already clear that Capel is going to go with Crocker, AJ, Blake, Willie, and the Chupacabra during the big moments. Patillo is an athletic freak. Adds a totally new dimension to the team.
So, for now, I'm cool with a little coasting. We don't want to peak too early. I think Capel needs to be patient and realize that early Feb. are the dog days of the college hoops season....he doesn't need to ride them too hard right now. Let them do their thing for a couple more weeks and then make sure the team is focused and energized headed into March.
Having said all that, as a fan, I'm competitive and I still want to see them do their best...and I'd LOVE to capture the #1 overall seed in the Tourney. So, don't coast TOO much fellas! :)