Sooners name starters
Oklahoma released its projected starters on Monday for Tuesday’s exhibition opener against British Columbia.
G: Tommy Mason-Griffin, freshman
G: Willie Warren, sophomore
G: Tony Crocker, senior
F: Ryan Wright, senior
F: Tiny Gallon, freshman
Though coach Jeff Capel has been publicly non-committal about how much impact Mason-Griffin and Gallon could have right away, for them to be starting this early in the season says plenty.
Capel said junior forward Orlando Allen’s conditioning was not where he wanted it, but expect him to get some quality minutes spelling Gallon and Wright. Against British Columbia, a lot of players could get a lot of minutes, but anyone who shows up to the Lloyd Noble Center on Tuesday night should get a good, long look at Oklahoma’s new pair of McDonald’s All-Americans.
British Columbia has seen another memorable Sooner debut. In his first game, former Sooner Blake Griffin scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Thunderbirds in 2007.
Jeff Capel Q&A
Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel had a lot to say at Big 12 Media Day on Wednesday in Kansas City. Here’s a few things that won’t make tomorrow’s paper:
Will it be a struggle to keep big man Tiny Gallon in the paint when he likes playing on the perimeter?
You must have seen Tiny play somewhere.
That is something — he is a versatile guy. He can do a lot of different things. One of the things he can do is shoot the basketball. But it is something that we have to remind him of, or we’ve had to remind him of so far is don’t fall in love with just being on the perimeter because you are 6′9″. You do have a 7′4″ wingspan, and you are 290 pounds. And to use that.
I haven’t seen any 6′9″, 290 pound shooting guards out there. LeBron is close, but, you know, by any means, he’s not LeBron. There’s only one of those guys walking the face of the earth.
It is something that we’ve had to remind him, and I keep using the word “had,” past tense. Hopefully it’s not something, as we get into November and December and January and February, that we don’t have to continually remind him of that.
What have the two big-name newcomers, Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin, shown you in early practices?
Tommy Mason-Griffin has been as good as anyone in practice for us first six days. He’s been that good.
I knew he was good coming out of high school. One of the things I thought about Tommy was I thought he had a large room to grow to get better. Same thing with Tiny.
Once those guys got into a situation where they were forced to work consistently, and that’s where they are right now. And because of that, Tommy’s made a little bit bigger jump right now than Tiny. Tiny’s coming, and Tiny’s very talented. He’s worked to get his weight in check. He’s at 290. He was 360 going into his senior year. He’s at 290.
We weighed him on Sunday. He’s 290 pounds. He’s awfully proud of that. He’s very talented. Has an incredible skill set.
One of the things with Tiny — as with all freshmen — they have to get used to the speed of the college game and the sense of urgency that you have to have in the understanding of how important every possession is. But those two give us a lot to work with immediately.
How has Tony Crocker developed over the summer heading into his senior year?
Crocker will always have a special place for me because he’s the only (recruit) that stayed (after Capel was hired).
That was a difficult time when all that stuff happened when I first got here. We’ve talked about that. But Crocker’s had a good career so far, and I hope he has a great senior year.
He’s stronger now. He finished our preseason conditioning at about 215 pounds. He lowered his body fat, improved his vertical, was more explosive and quicker.
Yesterday was the first time he practiced. We’ve had a little flu thing going on with our team. He’s been out.
Yesterday was the first time. So I don’t know how much weight he lost or things like that. But we need him to be more consistent.
And one of the things I challenged him with at the end of last season was, in my opinion, in order to become more consistent, you need to work more consistently. You need to do the things that you can control on a more consistent basis, getting in and working on your game. So we’ll see if he’s done that.
Where did the three wins go?
On a previous comment, Claude Raines claimed that Oklahoma possesses 791 victories, three fewer than I had given the Sooners when comparing all-time wins.
The College Football Data Warehouse, which stores loads of information about all-time college football results, lists 788 wins for OU. But the university, which claims CFDW as its source as well, lists 791.
So, why the discrepancy?
I was curious. So after a little research, I discovered the reason is 1972.
That year, OU was forced to forfeit three games due to, as the Sports Illustrated vault recounts, “Kerry Jackson, the hotshot quarterback whose high school transcript was altered, resulting in OU being put on probation for two years and costing the Sooners three 1972 victories.”
Wins over Missouri, Kansas and OSU were changed to losses.
So in reality, OU has both 788 wins and 791 wins, depending on how you view those three games in question (by the way, forfeits are different from vacated victories. A forfeit is a loss. A “vacate” is neither a win nor loss).
Either way, the Sooners are 7th all-time in wins, and 5th in winning percentage.
** Predictably, Alabama announced Wed. that the school would appeal the 21 victories that are currently being vacated by the NCAA for violations. Will be interesting to see what happens, but my guess is that the Tide will get their victories back.
** Got an email from a writer who covers Missouri a couple of days ago, asking who would be OU’s top newcomer this season (freshman, redshirt freshman, JUCO). I responded with JUCO WR Cameron Kenney, who I interviewed and wrote a story about earlier this summer. Kenney’s ability to help OU on special teams is intriguing, in addition to his obvious talents at receiver.
But what about others? Is there another newcomer to watch who may overtake Kenney in terms of impact?
Here are some possibilities:
Tress Way, punter
Way is almost assured of handling the punting duties this year
Bryce Easley, kicker
Obviously, if he wins the place-kicking job, that would be a big-time impact
Brian Lepak, guard/center
He’s one injury away from being a starter
David King or R.J. Washington, defensive end
One of the two will play significant snaps; lately, OU has annually produced a standout newcomer at DE
** Picture of the day
Imagine this happening on a weekly basis next season. Q Carter can lay the hammer down.
Photo by The Oklahoman's Bryan Terry
** Video of the day
OU running back commitment Brennan Clay (No. 24 here) of San Diego Scripps Ranch High School. Clay will be among the top RB recruits for the Class of 2010.
** Congrats to Trent, Shane, Jason and Dog for their right answers to Boise State boasting one of the top-10 all-time winning percentages.
Next trivia question: How many college football offenses in history have had a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard receiver, and two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season? How many, and who were they? Bonus points for specific players.
By Jake Trotter
OU hoops boast No. 6 class
The bad news of Juan Pattillo being kicked off the team this week shouldn’t linger too long.
That’s because the Sooners have the No. 6-ranked incoming recruiting class, according to ESPN.com.
Said ESPN, “Four ESPNU 100 players, two of whom are McDonald’s All-Americans, will help soften the blow of Blake Griffin’s early departure from Norman. Center Keith Gallon (Houston/Oak Hill Academy) and PG Tommy Mason-Griffin (Houston/Madison) are the headliners for OU; the duo will be counted upon to be productive from day one. Gallon, at 6-9 and 300 pounds, can score inside, face up to the arc and is a physical rebounding presence. The 5-10 Mason-Griffin is a complete point guard because he can handle, pass and shoot with NBA range. He also is strong enough to handle the contact as a freshman in the Big 12 at 190 pounds. Coach Jeff Capel also added a big-time wing shooter and zone buster in Steve Pledger (Chesapeake, Va./Atlantic Shores). Bookend power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (Owings Mills, Md./Brewster Academy) is a physical scorer on the blocks and a deft offensive rebounder. Powerful rebounder and finisher Kyle Hardrick (Oklahoma City/Putnam City) brings the effort and intensity.”
(To see more recruiting analysis from ESPN, click here. Other notable rankings, Kentucky No. 1, Texas No. 4, Kansas No. 5, Oklahoma State No. 10).
I expect Mason-Griffin and Gallon to be instant starters. With Pattillo gone, Fitzgerald could work his way into the starting lineup as well.
That would leave a starting line up of:
PG Mason-Griffin
SG Willie Warren
SF Tony Crocker
PF Fitzgerald
C Gallon
You won’t win in December with a team like that. But in March, if the youth-movement Sooners gel around superstar Willie Warren, look out, perhaps even for another deep run into the NCAA Tournament.
By Jake Trotter
Cameron Kenney does it all
To get an idea of how versatile incoming Oklahoma wide receiver Cameron Kenney, check out this video from his senior year at Dacula (Ga.) High School.
After sitting out his junior season, Kenney only played one year of varsity football. But, as this video shows, he made the most of it.
The sequence goes something like this: long kickoff return, interception for TD, extra point, punt return, catch for TD, extra point, interception, TD-saving tackle, bone-rattling hit.
By Jake Trotter
Keith “Tiny” Gallon with the assist
I don’t think Jeff Capel will want his prized recruit trying this pass in Norman next season. Anyway, it worked here for the incoming Sooner center. Well, it would’ve worked if the guy on the other end of the pass could finish a dunk.
By Jake Trotter
DeMarco Murray steps up in the weight room
A few tidbits from OU spring practice:
*DeMarco Murray’s rehab is going very well, and he’s stepped it up in the weight room despite not playing this spring. Coach Josh Heupel apparently didn’t even recognize him while walking behind the other day.
* Ryan Broyles is playing both in the slot and at wide receiver. When OU is in power formations, count on Broyles being on the field, even though his natural position in the slot. That means he will get a lot of looks downfield next season.
* Broyles said that QB Sam Bradford is not getting the same pass protection from a young offensive line that he did last year. Obviously, Sam is not getting hit in practice, but OU’s defensive line is getting through a lot more often than last year. Cause for concern?
* Guard Brian Simmons said he’s never, in his life, seen someone in person so physically impressive as fellow guard Stephen Good. Good, a powerlifting champion in high school, is the strongest player on the team right now. And he’s just a rising sophomore.
* Quinton Carter is starting at free safety, while Sam Proctor is working in at strong with the first team. Freshman Javon Harris and Joseph Ibiloye are backing them up, along with walk-on Emmanuel Jones, who is having a nice spring.
* Walk-on Brian Lepak is going to play a lot next season, especially with the departure of Jason Hannan, who is expected to transfer. The Colorado State transfer, originally from Claremore, has been one of the best surprises this spring.
* Cornerback Dom Franks couldn’t stop talking about how impressive the freshman linebacking trio of Ronnell Lewis, Tom Wort and Jaydan Bird have been. “Those kids hit,” Franks said.
* Trent Williams said he’s been challenged to become a leader on the offensive line. He’s not where he wants to be in that department, but that’s something OU needs next season with so many first-year starters.
* According to WR coach Jay Norvell, Dejuan Miller and Jameel Owens have a ways to go before they play significant snaps with the first team. So far, the starting WRs are Brandon Caleb, Adron Tennell and Broyles.
* By many accounts, Landry Jones is having an outstanding spring. He looks to be the solid favorite to replace Bradford, whenever that day comes.
* Owens said fellow Muskogee native Stacy McGee is up to 275. He was about 245 as a high school senior. Still, it may be awhile before McGee is ready to join the DT rotation.
By Jake Trotter
Live blog: OU vs. North Carolina
Waiting for Blake
By John Helsley
We wait for news on the availability of Blake Griffin.
And in this case, no news definitely is not good news.
Blake wasn’t ready to go against Kansas Monday night. And his father, Tommy, said his son was “nowhere near ready.” With the Sooners stuck in their first two-game losing streak of the season, there’s an urgency — although not at the risk of his health — to get the big man back and get the Sooners back to winning.
Concussions are a tricky issue. Unlike a sprained ankle or twisted knee, the symptoms aren’t always clear. You can’t apply ice or tape or stitches or easily recognize the healing.
There are tests, reliable tests. Still, there’s uncertainty, too. And there’s an inclination to err on the side of safety with any injury to the head.
For those who saw Griffin on the bench Monday night, he was clearly still suffering from some post-concussion struggles. He plugged his ears when the LNC got too loud. He sat down and rubbed his face after he got a little too excited.
In the case of a mild concussion, which is what Blake’s injury has been termed, the “normal” time before a return to activity is a minimum of one week, although it can last longer.
So we wait for news.
The Sooners are due in Lubbock Saturday to take on the struggling Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Will Griffin play? Will he reprise his “Terminator” role of the first meeting between the two teams?
Or will it be up to Willie Warren and the other Sooners to right the ship?
Time, agonizingly, will tell.
Big Monday for OU
By John Helsley
The Sooners didn’t play Monday night and won’t play again until Saturday, at Texas. Still, it was a big Big Monday for OU.
Thanks to Pittsburgh.
Pitt’s 76-68 upset of No. 1 Connecticut provided answers and opportunity for the Sooners.
With the top spot in the polls now available, all that stands in the way of the Sooners moving to No. 1 is that trip to Austin. We’re not here to say getting past the Longhorns will be easy, but it doesn’t shape up as the feared road game it once did. The Horns have been struggling, losing by 15 to A&M Monday night. Crowds are down at The Drum, too. While rooting and ranting against the Sooners might make it a must-see event Saturday, we’re guessing not.
In UConn’s loss, center Hasheem Thabeet managed just five points (on 1-of-5 shooting) and four rebounds. Maybe that’ll change the tune of Dick Vitale, who had suddenly taken to praising Thabeet as the Player of the Year in college basketball. C’mon, Dickie V, why no love for big Blake Griffin? You snubbed him on your preseason All-American teams and you’re overlooking him now. And that’s hard to do when the kid’s going for 40 and 23 in a Big 12 game.
The Sooners, too, should learn a thing from Pitt in the event they meet up with UConn and Thabeet later on. The 7-3 center had been a matchup nightmare on the defensive end, but Pitt’s DeJuan Blair took it to Thabeet with a new tact. Rather than go over Thabeet, Blair went at him with power and force — hello, Blake Griffin – resulting in 22 points, 23 rebounds and a foul out of the Huskies post man.
“I did a little research,” Blair said, “and it you go against a shot-blocker, you’ve got to body him up and get him off balance so he can’t jump. The only time he blocked my shot, I was fading away and I got the ball right back and went right into his chest and got the and-one.”
Blake Griffin, take notes.
Dickie V, take notes.
Sooner fans, take note — you could be cheering the nation’s No. 1 team by the next Big Monday.
