Basketball 2009

[wood911]

Since there was an article today about Anderson, I thought it might be time to think about basketball. We have Anderson, Muonelo, Page, Moses, and Sidorakis who played some last year and will probably be the core of this year's team. Teeng Akol is also back. Does anybody have any information on who's looking good and might contribute this year?

[AnniePokely]

A good report on the team from Tulsa Booster (Rivals)


Ray Penn - Ray has recovered from his surgery and has begun working out. As we get into the season he will play a lot of minutes at the point. He is only 5'8" but is stocky and strong for his size. He is extremely fast and will get the ball up the court very quickly. At this point he doesn't have Byron's ability to drive the hoop and score or get fouled but he has something Byron didn't have and thats the ability to drill the outside shot. He's a very good 3 point shooter and if the defender backs off of him he can pull up and hit the quick three.

Matt Pilgrim - Everyone knew we need inside help and Matt is going to really help us inside. He still needs to get in better basketball shape after his long layoff but everybody likes what they see so far. He is projected to join Moses on the inside and will help provide the strong rebounding this team desperately needs. We'll continue to have strong play outside but Matt regaining his eligibility was really important to this team in providing us with some rebounding and scoring from the post.

Marshall Moses - everyone knows the phenomenal improvement Marshall made during the last years season. Well, insiders are saying he has continued to improve even more and that we will really be surprised with how he has improved his game from last year. And having Pilgrim joining him inside will take some of the defensive pressure off Marshall and allow him a bit more freedom offensively. If Marshall stays healthy and keeps the right attitude, he should really enjoy a good year.

Keiton Page - Another poster commented on recent stories coming out of workouts about Keiton's phenomenal shooting. Those stories are apparently not being exaggerated as he is really lighting them up from outside. In spite of what some people want, Keiton will play some point this year as with Byron's departure and Keiton's knowledge of our offense he will be forced to carry some of that load until the other point guards get where they need to be. But this doesn't scare the coaches. Keiton knows what to do with the ball and understands his own strengths and weaknesses and they have confidence in his ability to run the offense when he is needed to do so. Coach Ford really believes in Pages ability and has stated so publicly many times. He continues to be hard on him because he knows what ability Page can bring to this team. But fortunately Keiton is a coaches son and doesn't pout when Coach Ford rides his case.

Obi, James Anderson and Sidorkis have been having good workouts. They all are experienced and bring a lot of stability and experience to the team. Some of the other newcomers are progressing nicely as well.

The staff is really excited about our current commitments for next year and we are in on some really strong players for 2011. Recruiting has been going well and staff has already shown the ability to bring in good players.

[Poohness]

Thanks, AP. I needed some good news today.

[wood911]

Thanks, too. THat's good stuff.

[FalseGod]

Obi and Anderson are going to have to bring it more consistently this year with Eaton gone. Last year they would have some games they just absolutely disappeared for long stretches in, and Eaton would pull something out of his ass. This year the team is going to be looking to them to do that, so that is something that needs to improve. Rebounding and interior defense would be the next biggest weakness considering the lack of true center. Need some significant minutes out of someone besides Moses at the 5 so that Moses can play his true position.

[jbug]

Isn't one of the BB players wearing an arm/shoulder brace around campus?

[BackHomePoke]

Isn't one of the BB players wearing an arm/shoulder brace around campus?


Penn had hurt his shoulder earlier in the year but says that he is playing now. Don't know if someone else hurt his shoulder.

[FloridaPoke]

I think we will be pretty good this year. Problem is the Big 12 is going to be crazy strong.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I'm in a wait and see mode; I'm still struggling to understand how you can take a hodge-podge of players (returners), add in a ton of freshmen and all the sudden have a league contender on your hands.

This group is going to have to work hard to find the right mix to be competitive with the KU's and UT's of the league.

I think we have enough to make another run at an NCAA bid, but we could be looking at another season of watching the bubble and hoping it doesn't burst on us.

[BigBadBen]

I think we have enough to make another run at an NCAA bid, but we could be looking at another season of watching the bubble and hoping it doesn't burst on us.


I think/hope we will be better than a bubble team.

But, I dont see us making a run at a conference title, unless the team just comes together & does some amazing stuff.

[osupsycho]

Well there is a lot of difference between conference contender and bubble team considering Big XII usually gets a lot of teams in the tourney. I think have the ability to challenge the top teams but will be just a little below them.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Well there is a lot of difference between conference contender and bubble team considering Big XII usually gets a lot of teams in the tourney. I think have the ability to challenge the top teams but will be just a little below them.


That's an interesting statement, but it's based on what?

No proven PG?
Suspect size/strength underneath?
More new faces than old faces on the team?

Hope?
Prayer?
What?

IMHO, we have roughly the same "ability" as last year, but less experience; and that team went 9-7 in league.

You're really basing your opinion on some kids that have never played at this level and a kid that just sat out of BB for a year?

Can you convince me just a little that we'll be better than fighting for a bubble birth?

[osupsycho]

It is just that, my opinion of some kids that have not played at OSU (Pilgrim has played at this level). I see more talent it areas needed and enough at PG to be able to do well come conference time. We have more size/strength underneath than last year and will be facing less of that from other conference teams.

Am I missing something though on the faces? We lost three players (and only two that really mattered)? Out of a rotation of 8 losing 3 means more old faces if my math is right...

We return 60 % of our scoring from last year, and 75 % of our rebounding. Yes I would like to see more of the scoring to have come back but we have some real scoring threats joining the team.

I guess my point is I think the additions to the team (along with all players being in this style of play longer) to be better than the losses of Eaton, Harris and Brown. Combine that with what should be a slightly weaker Big XII and I think we do just fine this year.

[FalseGod]

We have enough experienced players coming back that we won't have to depend on the younger guys to be the focus most of the time. That will help. Young guys usually can come in and do specific roles very well. The main exception might be at the point. The point is going to be the biggest question mark for us since we are VERY young there now. Sid and Page have some experience, but haven't shown the ability yet (especially Sid). Page has the handles, but our offense always seemed to slow down any time he played point last year, so he has some work to do.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

not to mention leadership... who is going to step up and lead this group?

I can't see if from Obi or Anderson (they haven't show it thus far); and Moses is too volitile... Page? Sid? a new face?

[wood911]

not to mention leadership... who is going to step up and lead this group?

I can't see if from Obi or Anderson (they haven't show it thus far); and Moses is too volitile... Page? Sid? a new face?
I could see Page being a leader and possibly Anderson if he wants to be. THat's a good point, tho.

[PasoPoke]

There is no question the team has questions that will need to be answered but if you look at the roster from top to bottom OSU is positioned much better than it was going into last season.

They have a strong nucleus of returning players. Developing a point guard will be critical in the early part of the season, the soft schedule should help. The good thing about point guard is there are several highly regarded new players to choose from, Page should be able to handle the load until one of them steps up. All OSU needs from the position is someone who won't hurt the team with turnovers, if the point guard can score that will be a bonus.

OSU is in much better position in the paint, Moses has established himself and should be able to play his more natual position, the 4 instead of center. There is much more height and muscle than last year. If Pilgrim, Walker or Shaw can play some defense and rebound OSU will be much better in the paint than last year.

The most experienced and talented positions on the team is at the 2 and 3 positions. Anderson, Obi and Page will be deadly if the defense has to worry about guarding the bigs.

No way to tell how fast the new guys develop and how good the chemistry will be but there is no doubt this team has potential to be an upper tier Big 12 team.

Kansas and Texas are probably to loaded for OSU to challenge for the championship but OSU could easily fall into the 3 - 5 spot and that is an almost guaranteed NCAA bid.