Five Reasons Oklahoma Will Win…UNC Will Win

 

5. Midwest is becoming the new East

 

Rey: We don’t want to admit it, but the Midwest is becoming a basketball force. Kansas won the National Championship last year. Missouri and Mike Anderson have turned things around in the past three years. More and more All-Americans are finding their way to Midwest schools rather than East schools. Willie Warren could have gone anywhere he wanted. Kevin Durant ad Michael Beasley certainly bucked a trend a few years ago. Even our newest tournament hero, Scottie Reynolds, was an Oklahoma committed guard before Kelvin Sampson left for Indiana.

Jeff Capel understands East coast bias better than anyone. The Fayetteville, North Carolina native chose Duke over his beloved Tar Heels and is most remembered for his half court shot against UNC. He was skeptical about going to a Midwest school but has since shown that you can recruit out there. After all, former player of the year Tyler Hansbrough, hails from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. If ever a time for the Midwest to shine, it’s right now among the East’s best.

Casey: I can see what you’re talking about, but how many titles can teams in the East win? – UConn, Duke, Maryland, Syracuse, UNC, Florida.  The East has pretty much owned the last decade.  Eventually every streak has to end.  

Like you said Capel has gone to the Midwest and recruited.  Kinda like Rick Barnes. And didn’t Bob Huggins bring Beasley to K-State? Any chance kids are more willing to go to those programs because they have coaches who have cut their teeth in the East?

Don’t forget the Big 10 falls into the category of the Midwest. 🙂

Before I forget – Blake Griffin went to Oklahoma to run the floor with his brother.  How many text messages do you think Taylor recieved?

4. Game management

Rey: Jeff Capel has already said he won’t run with the Tar Heels. Carolina averages more possessions per game; however, it’s one thing to want to slow the tempo down, and another to actually have the ability and personnel to do it. Oklahoma does. The Missouri loss late in the regular season revealed to Capel’s crew what they can and can’t do as far as tempo.

The Sooners have basketball IQ. Even freshman guard, Willie Warren, plays within the system and himself. When he can use his speed and explosiveness, he does. When his teammates are doing well, he gets them the ball. Both Griffins invite the double team and patiently pass out of it, often finding the open backside teammate. Austin Johnson is a better guard than he gets credit for and patiently controls the Sooner game plan.

If Capel’s crew can execute, Carolina has shown that a slower tempo and half court game is not their forte.

Casey:  No doubt UNC has trouble when they have to play a half-court game.  But I wouldn’t be surprised if the freshman, Warren, spends the second half on the bench because the Sooner staff will be worried about his psyche. Oklahoma barely advanced past an over-matched Michigan team early in the tournament.

3. Somebody always steps up

In games decided by four points or less this year for the Sooners, Taylor Griffin is averaging just over 16 points, which is 6 higher than his average. During Blake Griffin’s two game absence in the regular season, Willie Warren exploded for 23 and 27 points, well above his 14 point average.

In this year’s tournament, Tony Crocker has shown his ability to knock down shots. The first two rounds was more of the usual for the Sooners, with Warren and both Griffins scoring at or above their averages. Junior guard Tony Crocker only averaged 4 points in the first two rounds. Syracuse was a different story. With only Blake Griffin finding the bucket, Crocker exploded for 28 points by shooting 6-11 beyond the arc.

You can easily peruse Oklahoma’s box score this season and find that despite a depth issue, there are three or four players not named Blake Griffin who are capable of scoring. 

Casey: Yeah but can these guys step up when they are the underdog?  You know as well as I do knocking down a three when you are in the lead is one thing.  Hitting a shot in the second half when you are trailing?  Those are uncharted waters for these Sooners.

That explosion by Willie Warren was great.  Of course he didn’t have to worry whether he might cost his team the end of the season.  Do you think the freshman has the moxie to take the shot his team needs in an elimination game?

2. Carolina struggles to guard the perimeter

Rey: It’s true. Kansas’ backcourt scored 54 points in last year’s 2008 semifinal game against UNC. Brandon Rush (25), Mario Chalmers (11), and Sheron Collins (11) did it without a dominating inside post presence. And in case I’m going too far back, Tyrice Rice (25) of Boston College, Jeff Teague (34) of Wake Forest, Greivis Vasquez (35) of Maryland, and Toney Douglas (27) of Florida State can vouch for this year’s ACC regular season. Guards don’t only do well against Carolina, they completely go off.

Carolina has felt the defensive loss of Marcus Ginyard this year many times. It will happen again against Oklahoma. Plus, with all the attention spent on the Griffins and as well as both of them pass the ball, either Warren or Crocker could be looking at a career night.

Casey:  No doubt this has been a weak spot for the Heels.  But none of those teams you mentioned shoot it as well as Gonzaga, and the Bulldogs managed a mere 30% from the arc Friday night.  Chances are UNC was playing possum much of the year.  Yeah their umotivated perimeter defense almost brought on a tragic level of Ol’ Roy’s vertigo, but now they are playing when they need to. The Heels just needed somthing to inspire them.   

Oklahoma looked pretty good against the Syracuse’s zone, but who hasn’t?  Somewhere I read an article entitled: “The Orange Coats Are Coming; The Orange Coats Are Coming.”

1. Taylor Griffin

Rey: Yes, I typed in the correct name. Younger brother Blake is shooting a gaudy 78 percent in this tournament and averaging 30 points. Is there any question what he will do?

Carolina’s forward, Deon Thompson, called older brother Taylor the most underrated big man in the country. He might be right. Taylor averages just under 10 a game, but has shown an ability to go for more than 20. He can rebound and block shots. His best and most underrated skill may be his passing. He has an uncanny ability to get his younger brother the ball from the opposite block and is also not afraid to kick out and allow the offense to flow.

But, most importantly, he is a senior and quintessential team player. He is surrounded by great young players and seems like the quiet, fatherly type that calms them down at any moment.

 

Casey: That’s a nice story.  I almost hope you’re right.  Of course one of Pitt’s seniors, Dejuan Blair, looked more like a matador than a fatherly type as he let Scottie reynolds go to the basket last night.

If Oklahoma wins, will you be writing the Ode to Taylor piece? 🙂