Oklahoma: Potential Round of 32 opponent
General #'s observations I made without having seen them play for one second:
The first thing that has to jump out is Oklahoma is really efficient on the offensive end. 1.17 adj Offensive efficiency is a really elite total. They are also very very young with the bulk of their minutes going to fresh and sophomores, but they are led by a senior in Cameron Clark.You also probably noted their average possession length is really short. Coupled with being in the top 20 in adj tempo I figured they must subscribe to the “shoot before you turn it over mantra” that I think more teams should do. As a team they shoot a high % from 3 and take a decent chunk of their shots from 3 as well. Typically this would mean a team can not help off the shooters against dribble drives. They also must run the shooters off the line and most importantly force them to take long 2's if possible.
Their team defensive #'s are not terrible, but by no means is this a great defensive team. 1 ppp is not anything a high level defensive team should work to achieve. They do not force a ton of turnovers, and are decidedly average in comparison to the national average with regards to rebounding (which means against top level teams they probably struggle mightily with rebounding and defense.)
Shooters everywhere. Everywhere shooters. All day shooters everywhere.
3pt%
Hield 40% on a very high # of attempts
Clark 44%
Cousins 39%
Woodard 36%
This means the starting lineup can really shoot the 3 and stretch the D because they start 4 guys with range above, and then one banger in Spangler down low and have 2 other role players off the bench in
Neal at 42%
Booker 37%
General Eye Observations: Games viewed (Just 1. West Va @ Oklahoma)
Basic Offense:
Mostly a 4 out 1 in offense with guys spaced around the 3 point line and Spangler roaming the paint and short corners.
Like every team in this day and age, PnR and lots of it. From top of the key and side. Also end of shot clock will bring Spangler or Clark for ball screens.
High PnR out of horns set.
Quick outlets off misses AND after made baskets.. Transition D MANADATORY!
Pushes the ball at any opportunity. Doesn't always even use outlets, some bigs will rebound and go coast to coast like I'm sure some of you remember the Lance Stephenson Runaway train on a long rebound!
Side PnR is their best offense with a shooter in the opposite corner and opposite wing, and is virtually unguardable when they are shooting well. If I knew how to stop it, I wouldn't be typing here, I'd be coaching somewhere.
VS Zone Defense:
Spangler works the short corner on the ball side with 4 around perimeter:
End of Shot clock: Spangler High PnR driver finds shooter in corner. CAN NOT LEAVE SHOOTERS IN CORNER VS DRIVES.
Playing zone vs this team is insane other than to mix up Defenses. Idk what W va was thinking, but Huggs is pretty elite at scouting so maybe Oklahoma's man2man offense is even scarier.
After watching more, I think he was just trying something different for a few possessions as they went back to man. Not a bad idea to try and switch things up every now and then, but if Syracuse gets matched up with this team then LOLOLOL I know which team I am putting money on.
PLAYERS:
Spangler: BIG
Very Active on the offensive glass. Big body and physical. Likes to pass off of offensive rebds to shooters and can finish through contact. Their only real physical player though. I think as a team they are a little soft.
Woodard:
Pg. Very quick, attacks off the bounce both directions. When playing at his best, he is getting in the paint and finding shooters. Can get out of control.
Must contain in PnR and be careful if the Big hedges hard/blitzes the high PnR because he will draw fouls in this spot consistently.
Hield can explode/get hot in a second to the point it doesn't matter how you contest. It's going in. Can take questionable shots
Clark: Obv a very very good player, BUT can be baited into taking long 2's off the dribble. He'd be so much better if he just would shoot 3's or actually attack further to get to the paint instead of the 19 foot jumper off the dribble with a hand in his face. I'm pretty sure that explains his relatively poor 2pt FG% for a guy with his shooting and finishing ability.
Hornbeak:
Questionable Shot selection
Settles for 3's in PnR early in shot clock off the dribble on wing. Despite atrocious 3pt%. Go under all PnR's vs him:
Must stay off. Very quick and attacks with shoulder low and very tight to the screener. Very good when getting into the pain, Have to make him a jump shooter and contain the drive.
Cousins:
Good shooter, but seemed quiet in the game I watched.
This team has elite spacing. Like hypermegaelite spacing. Their guys understand how to fill lanes in transition (out wide and either fill to the corner or cut hard to basket). Really, what makes their spacing good their shooting ability, because it doesn't matter how well you space if no one can punish the opponent for helping. If they get hot, watch out. They kinda remind me of Creighton.
General Defense:
Man 2 Man half court. Rarely switched
Fronts the post
Not a ton of ball pressure. Picks up at the 3 point line.
As a team they do not contest shooters well enough. Lots of hand down, man down lazy defense.
Closeouts are laughable and their transition D is questionable.
