2015 Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii

[Sooner95]

Holiday Tourney time!

http://espnevents.com/diamond-head-classic/bracket/


First two games were pretty competitive. We are certainly the favorite to win this thing but need to play well.

[hawaii 5-0]

I'll be up in the stands in the corner from where the players enter. 10 rows up. Red OU cap. Beard, glasses. I expect a close one. Maybe I'll be wrong, maybe I won't.

Go Sooners !!

5-0

[Sooner95]

Very cool 5-0 ! Will look for ya!

[aurorasooner]

Just turned it on. Wazzu looks like it has a couple of trees on the inside as they've blocked a couple of shots. Shouldn't be hard to spot 5-0 as it doesn't look like there's many fans in the stands. 7-zip OU/ TO. 16:42 left in the 1st.

[Sooner95]

Might be in for a close one so far. Little sloppy at times..

[Soonerjeepman]

yeah, little frustrating. Not playing our game...give wazzu credit slowing it down when they need to.

That one possession I swear the wsu dude traveled, carried, double dribbled...lol and THEN got the bucket. Manyang needs to go TO THE BUCKET...he frickin fades everytime...USE YOUR SIZE

[Soonerjeepman]

it'll be a game

the bench has been well the last couple of games..need them to start to step up

[Soonerjeepman]

the key is Cousins...he'll need to pick up the slack. Not getting much from post tonight

[Sooner95]

Agree, heck both Manyang and Lattin need to learn how to explode and attack.

Nice finish to the half, Buford looks like he came to play!

[Soonerjeepman]

yup.

Buford def had the nice put back dunk. I'm pretty confident OU will win, but it'll be close. Northern Iowa is next prob...they just beat isu last week. Another tough game.

[Soonerjeepman]

I want a post that can hit a 5 ft turn around jump shot..
yes I'm spoiled..

[Soonerjeepman]

lol, guess we don't need the 5ft turn around...the tip off the pass will work.

[JLEW1818]

This team looks special.

What time do we play tomorrow?

[hawaii 5-0]

This team looks special.

What time do we play tomorrow?

The game is at 4pm Hawaii time. You'll have to do the math.

A very fun evening as both my team and my adopted teams won.

I'm trusting most of you watched the OU game. OU took care of business and except for a good point guard to keep things under control, played the 2nd teamers much of the 2nd half for some good experience.

Hawaii really came to play Northern Iowa. They came out and defended the '3' and used a tenacious D to keep No. Iowa off balance. Two of Hawaii's main guys were in foul trouble and saw limited time but the subs played very well. Hawaii's 6th man, Fleming had 6 steals, most in the 2nd half and turned the game into Hawaii's favour. If OU continues to take care of business they should handle Hawaii.

Another factor......the crowd. The place was subdued while OU was playing but it was rocking during the Hawaii game. Night and day. If Hawaii stays close the crowd will be a factor. Another factor might be the start time of the game is 4pm here and some fans will still be at work.

Nice to see Lon Kruger in person again. Last time I saw him I was booing him as he played the point for KSU.

5-0

[Boomer.....]

We play Hawaii at 8pm CST on ESPN2

[SoonerorLater]

I want a post that can hit a 5 ft turn around jump shot..
yes I'm spoiled..

Manyang looks like he tries to pattern his post offense to something like Hakeem Olajuwon.......he isn't quite there yet.

[SoonerMarkVA]

No, but Manyang has a very nice touch for such a big guy, and surprising athleticism. Once it all comes together for him, he's going to be a star--here and at the next level too.

I'd rather have a guy who has finesse and a shooting touch, and try to teach him to bang, rather than the other way around.

[SoonerMarkVA]

The main thing I saw from this game? James, Buford, Odomes, and Manyang have all improved a lot in the last 6 weeks. Especially James and Buford. It's scary to think how good, and how deep, this team could be by February!

[Soonerjeepman]

I'd rather play Hawaii than NI...we've already played at Memphis, so I'm sure crowd won't be that big of an issue.

Yeah, I stayed up and watched. We do look special sometimes, several guys said OU is def a final 4 team, one even said they are the best team in country right now. We def rely on guard play, but if we can get 25 points and 20 rebounds from the post every night we should be good.

Manyang, yeah I still think he's "recovering" from his foot issue. I do like his "touch" but there was some times when he needed to back down and power up a shot.

Buddy is just WOW...dang he can take over a game no doubt.

Subs looked solid last night. Definitely look forward to the season.

[Soonerjeepman]

I'll be up in the stands in the corner from where the players enter. 10 rows up. Red OU cap. Beard, glasses. I expect a close one. Maybe I'll be wrong, maybe I won't.

Go Sooners !!

5-0

tried looking for ya...ya need to go sit by Toby Keith, he has lots of tv time! lol

[hawaii 5-0]

As soon as OU won I got on my cell phone and ordered a ticket to today's game. This seat is better, behind the press folks, a tad left of midcourt and 10 rows up.

I saw Toby sitting behind the bench. He was pretty subdued the whole game. During TV timeouts occasionally the cameras will focus on fans in the stands and put it on the Jumbotron above the court. Once it caught the fans beside me and I stuck my head into the picture. 5 seconds later there was a full screen of just me on the 'Tron. I gave a two-handed shaka sign and then pointed with both hands to my OU cap.

5-0

[Soonerjeepman]

ah cool, unfortunately TV timeouts means no you! lol...

enjoy...I need to see if the Big 12 is here...kc, I think it is. Def going.

[hawaii 5-0]

I was impressed with the redshirt and true frosh. When they came in they contributed, especially Buford. I hope they all get enough PT so a couple don't pull a 'Hornbeak'.

This program looks to have a very good upside for several years.

Thanks Buddy Hield, for staying one more year. Your leadership and talent is a positive force rubbing off on the younger players.

5-0

[hawaii 5-0]

A little bonus for your enjoyment..... stay for the dancing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CAVQCfiH9g


5-0

[Sooner95]

True road game tonight against Hawaii!

we will need to play well to keep the crowd out of it.

[Sooner95]

Hield on fire!

[SoonerorLater]

Impressive so far on both ends of the court.

[Sooner95]

Gone cold, Hawaii riding the crowd wave.... need to be smarter on both ends.

[Soonerjeepman]

Jeeze...horrible def rotation. Hoping we can hold on for the W

[Soonerjeepman]

This is crazy...

[Soonerjeepman]

Buddy either shoots a 3 or drives all the way to the bucket. Needs to develop a 8ft jump shot...

[Soonerjeepman]

Fouls are bull****

[Soonerjeepman]

Damn cousins...good grief sometimes u pizz me off...dumbass buddy was wide..

[Soonerjeepman]

Well crap...we are turning it over left and right...

[lexsooner]

The shot clock operator should be suspended. He cheated after the missed FT and gave Hawaii 2.7 seconds which the refs changed to 1.2. Then after Hawaii inbounded, the shot clock did not start for several seconds until the shooter got the ball.

[Soonerjeepman]

honestly i thought they'd put closer to 2.2 glad to see 1.2 on it...sitting here now though 1.2 was right.

Glad we hit out FT's at the end.

Good- didn't give up, won despite a pretty crappy game, FT's down the stretch

Bad - our hedge help on the screens was horrible, lots of jumping on late rotation for D created a foul or blow by, choices...Cousins and Lattin to name 2.

Again, we played fairly poorly and Hawaii played out their a$$ and we still won. Give Hawaii credit they are tough. IF we are all that, then Hawaii should do well this year.

[hawaii 5-0]

A nice win for the Sooners to advance to the Championship Game in Christmas. Hawaii was as tough as I expected, especially at home with that crowd. Reminds me of The Pit at New Mexico. Not very big but very loud.

Crappy calls on both teams. Roderick Bobbitt the Rainbow Warriors' top scorer had 32 points but their usual top scorer Aaron Valdez was held to only 3 points.

If anyone recorded the game, with the clock at 2:07 time was called. As the network goes to a commercial the camera shows some of the crowd. I'm standing on the right side of the screen, with a red and white aloha shirt, an OU cap and a beard.

5-0

[hawaii 5-0]

I'll be up in the stands for the 3rd place and Championship games. For the Hawaii game I'll have on a Hawaii shirt and cap and for the Sooner game I'll wear a red and white Sooner aloha shirt and Sooner cap. Oh, and I'll be the one wearing Santa pants and boots. And of course, the beard.

5-0

[Sooner95]

Excellent. Should be a good on tonight. Harvard I suspect won't be an easy out.

[Soonerjeepman]

Yup...Hawaii is good.

Lol, thought u were sitting by the guy with the big OU flag....green u of h shirt, OU hat...guess not.
Have fun...

Great test for the team.

Yes, crappy calls on both teams

[Sooner95]

Harvard has some shooters. I still think we can pull away just need contribution from all players tonight.

[SoonerorLater]

One of those nights where the 3's just aren't falling.

[Sooner95]

They are all over Buddy tonight, Woodard seems to be in a zone, Cousins not so much.

Someone else need to provide offense.

[Sooner95]

No wisdom here, I think we just need to shoot better. We've missed shots, guys might be a bit tired but Harvard has played 3 games too.

Need to work the interior more in the 2nd half, and up the defense.

[SoonerorLater]

They've certainly started the second half with a more energetic look.

[Sooner95]

I'll say!!

Woodard with 22!!!

[Soonerjeepman]

I stayed off for the first half...lol. very frustrated in our spacing, defense, ball movement.
Lon must had some words of wisdom.

The great thing is this shows we have 4 or 5 guys that score..

[Sooner95]

Yes, great to see Woodard have another nice game. Spangs needs to step out and hit the trey a little more, he can shoot it.

Def is better, ball flow is better.

[Soonerjeepman]

Ugh...getting sloppy again.
Ok against harvard...not against big 12 teams...

[Sooner95]

Agree with that. Big12 games will be tough. I think we'll be ready though. We've played a pretty tough Non-conf schedule. I'm not sure some of the Big12 teams have.

[Sooner95]

And now we go cold....

[Soonerjeepman]

Jeeze...settling for 3's...bad ball movement again.

Big 12 will b tough. Bu, wv, isu, ku all ranked. Non conf we are like 80/15 if that.

[SoonerorLater]

Giving up these double digits runs are killers.

[Soonerjeepman]

#1 in non conf wins...lots of national highly ranked stats...conf will tough

[Sooner95]

Well WVU they are ranked but they have not played anyone. WVU one tough game against Virginia and they got run. Curious to see how they stack up when we roll in, because we are good.

Baylor has played a good non conf, but lost two of them, KU, ISU will be tough. Big12 will be tough overall, which is cool . Love to see the conference outshine all the others.

[Sooner95]

This is to close for me. Come on boys!!

[Soonerjeepman]

Ok, so....zone = drive...or not

[Sooner95]

We have no post game...yet Harvard does.

[Soonerjeepman]

Unbelievable. ..why are we matching up with their zone and not driving

[Soonerjeepman]

We have no post game...yet Harvard does.

Amazing isnt it...

[Soonerjeepman]

Bball 101, off set zone and drive

[Soonerjeepman]

Damn whistle happy...

[SoonerorLater]

Yeah most of our paint scoring is dribble penetration or O-rebounds. We just don't have that guy who can post up off the blocks. At least not consistently.

[Sooner95]

Well win is a win. Tourney Champs, 11-0 I'll take it.

Boys get a break before Big12 play kicks off.

Merry Christmas to you guys.

[Soonerjeepman]

Yeah most of our paint scoring is dribble penetration or O-rebounds. We just don't have that guy who can post up off the blocks. At least not consistently.

yup...

Buddy = 22-28
other guards = 25-40
post = 20ish

that's around 80-90 pts per game.

The good is, that should be a given. With Buddy getting 23ish...that means Woodard, Cousins, Walker, the 2-3 fr guards need to get 40 total. I would think that is doable.

Post - Spang, Lattin, Manyang...hopefully between the 3 we can get 20...again SHOULD be a decent shot.

Yes, a win is a win and honestly - even though my heart hates it - close games are good preparation.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
BOOMER!

[SoonerMarkVA]

It's like this team has a switch. They are either an unstoppable buzzsaw or hapless. Crazy.

Also the bench seemed to be outstanding against Wazzu, but then pretty much disappeared for these last 2 games. We need (IMO) Buford, James or Odomes, and Maynang to really come on to be a true FF threat and have an inside track to the NC. Right now, all those guys are just too inconsistent.

[hawaii 5-0]

Well now, that was a fun afternoon/evening.

I started out at the Hawaii/Auburn game about 15 rows up, behind the Hawaii bench. The place was rocking as Hawaii pulled away in the 2nd half and Auburn's coach almost spontaneously combusted. After that game I went into the Men's room to put on my OU aloha shirt and cap. Coming out I ran into a girl I know whose son is a pinerider for Hawaii. She saw me with my Santa pants and boots on and asked me to pose for a photo with her son when he came out of the locker room. I had him on my lap about 12 years ago as well. I went with her downstairs to where the 'insiders' hang out, floor level near the entrance onto the court. OU was warming up. Time got close and her son didn't come out of the locker room, so I had pictures taken with Hawaii's coach's kids. My friend told me I could sit in the section behind the bench as many Hawaii faithful weren't gonna stay for the championship game. She led me thru the tunnel, right behind the OU bench, and not wanting to take advantage of the situation went into the bleachers 7 rows up instead of a few empty seats 2 rows behind the players. I was still so close I coulda hit the players with my popcorn. Those fans were all OU supporters and it felt like being home. I was right behind a guy and his family. He looked like an ex-football player. #20 jersey. Guesses ?

Great game by the Sooners. Hield as usual, Woodard stepped up and Cousins made some great assists, tho sometimes he seems a bit too fast for Lattin to take the dish. OU struggled with Harvard's big man inside which was a worry.

After the game I hung around watching the presentation of the trophy, announcement of the All-Tournament Team and general celebration. Buddy Hield was ecstatic bopping around with leis on him, carrying an outrigger canoe paddle and a pineapple. Fans were on the sides trying to get autographs but the assistants herded the players to the locker room. Buddy said he'd be back later, but soon after it was announced that the players were going right to the bus and then the airport after their showers.

However, Coach Lon lingered around chatting it up and I was able to get him to sign my OU cap. I congratulated him on a good tournament and wished him and his team well the rest of the season.

5-0

[Sooner95]

Very cool evening indeed 5-0. What a cool experience.