Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.
’08 – ’09 Results: 30 – 6 (13 – 3 Big 12) Lost in the East Regional Final to North Carolina, 72 – 60.
Coach: Jeff Capel 69 -33 (3 years at OU) 148 – 74 overall (7 seasons)
Key Returners:
Ryan Wright – 1.8ppg, 2.1rpg
Tony Crocker – 9.6, 3.2rpg
Willie Warren – 14.6ppg, 2.2rpg
Orlando Allen – 1.8ppg, 1.0rpg
Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/21 at Virginia Commonwealth, 12/6 vs. Arizona, 12/12 at Utah, 12/31 at Gonzaga
Stat of Identity: 39.8% field goal defense – Memphis led with 37.1%
By Paul Gotham
Oklahoma coach, Jeff Capel will have to shift his focus this season. After looking at his offensive game plan from the inside – out, Capel will need his perimeter players to open up the inside.
Last season’s Player-of-the-Year, Blake Griffin, made opponents stop him first and think about Oklahoma’s perimeter scoring second. This season, the Sooners guard will need to carry the load.
Willie Warren and Tony Crocker averaged a combined 24 points per game last season. The Challenge in front of them is to maintain those numbers as opposing defenses focus on stopping them. That is significant change from last year when opponents sagged off the perimeter against Oklahoma.
Capel will rely on a pair of freshman to round out his starting five: Tiny Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin. The fourth-year coach has shown he can bring along players quickly. Capel will need to succeed with these freshman if the Sooners are to survive in the Big 12.
Mason-Griffin takes the place of Austin Johnson who dished out 140 assists a year ago.
Senior, Ryan Wright will need to finish inside – something he was not counted on to do with the Griffin brothers on the floor. With the 6’9″ 296 pound Gallon opposite him in the post, Wright should be able to take advantage of one-on-one situations.
Cade Davis, Ray Willis, and Orlando Allen will come off the bench for Capel.
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