OU vs OSU last night: Impressions on Bedlam
Though an ice storm in the Midwest may have kept many of the expected sellout crowd home, last night's men's college basketball matchup between the fifth ranked Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys met all expectations. OU won the game 89 - 81 behind the magnificence of Blake Griffin and an explosive and balanced offense that shot 58% on the night. The Sooners led early, grabbing a nine point halftime lead, and, though the homestanding Cowboys made several game charges late in the game, led throughout. A highly entertaining game that featured intensity and hot shooting from both teams, the contest was marred by several cheap shots by the Cowboys in their attempt to rattle Blake Griffin.
Griffin's teammates, most notably point guard Austin Johnson previously little used swingman Jaun Pattillo, and freshman star on the rise Willie Warren were the other double figure scores for OU. The Sooners outrebounded OSU 37 to 16, though OU did turn the ball over 23 times to the Cowboy pressure.
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Griffin showed why he will undoubtedly be the number one pick in this summer's NBA Draft. There is no one else in the country with his blend of size, power, athletic ability, and personality.
The player Griffin reminds me of most is Tim Duncan. Duncan may be a more pure center, with the requisite passing and shotblocking skills, but they both play under control at all times, with minimal wasted effort. Griffin has been the subject of season long abuse, yet only responds physically when it seems called for. Possessing an NBA inside game in terms of scoring, rebounding, and interior passing, Griffin still needs to better read a double team (or even triple team) and find the open man. Blake plays on a perimeter oriented team, as it appears that there are few cutters to the basket available whenever he is doubled. At the next level, double teams are welcomed by the truly great players, as they are always opportunities for assists to cutters. Griffin will soon learn that. Overall, last night Griffin enhanced his standing with the many NBA scouts courtside. A sprained ankle suffered over the weekend proved no detriment to his play, surely a good sign for his toughness.
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Coach Jeff Capel of the Sooners showed why he is the most likely candidate to replace Coach K at Duke whenever the Hall of Famer decides to retire. With Johnny Dawkins doing good work at Duke, Mike Brey having a decent season at Notre Dame, and other explayers and excoaches of the Duke program scattered around the country, now is the time to speculate about the future of Duke basketball. Coach K is only 61, yet health problems have led the media and fans to wonder how long he will stay.
Rest easy, Duke fans. Whenever Coach K decides he no longer has the desire to coach at the highest level, Jeff Capel will be ready to take over.
Griffin's teammates, most notably point guard Austin Johnson previously little used swingman Jaun Pattillo, and freshman star on the rise Willie Warren were the other double figure scores for OU. The Sooners outrebounded OSU 37 to 16, though OU did turn the ball over 23 times to the Cowboy pressure.
-----------------
Griffin showed why he will undoubtedly be the number one pick in this summer's NBA Draft. There is no one else in the country with his blend of size, power, athletic ability, and personality.
The player Griffin reminds me of most is Tim Duncan. Duncan may be a more pure center, with the requisite passing and shotblocking skills, but they both play under control at all times, with minimal wasted effort. Griffin has been the subject of season long abuse, yet only responds physically when it seems called for. Possessing an NBA inside game in terms of scoring, rebounding, and interior passing, Griffin still needs to better read a double team (or even triple team) and find the open man. Blake plays on a perimeter oriented team, as it appears that there are few cutters to the basket available whenever he is doubled. At the next level, double teams are welcomed by the truly great players, as they are always opportunities for assists to cutters. Griffin will soon learn that. Overall, last night Griffin enhanced his standing with the many NBA scouts courtside. A sprained ankle suffered over the weekend proved no detriment to his play, surely a good sign for his toughness.
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Coach Jeff Capel of the Sooners showed why he is the most likely candidate to replace Coach K at Duke whenever the Hall of Famer decides to retire. With Johnny Dawkins doing good work at Duke, Mike Brey having a decent season at Notre Dame, and other explayers and excoaches of the Duke program scattered around the country, now is the time to speculate about the future of Duke basketball. Coach K is only 61, yet health problems have led the media and fans to wonder how long he will stay.
Rest easy, Duke fans. Whenever Coach K decides he no longer has the desire to coach at the highest level, Jeff Capel will be ready to take over.
posted by joe sweeney at 6:45 AM
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