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Sooners report: Strategy and personnel

April 19, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes · Getting inside

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THE GOOD NEWS
Oklahoma played some of its best basketball late in the season, winning 6 of 8 to close the regular season before reaching the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament. The late push contributed to a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest among Big 12 teams other than co-champions Kansas and Texas. Sticky defense and the inside presence of F Blake Griffin, a spectacular freshman, were two elements that often keyed the Sooners' victories.

THE BAD NEWS
Injuries to both of Griffin's knees limited him, though both recoveries were swift and prevented him from missing much time. C Longar Longar missed only two games with a fracture he suffered above the right ankle on Feb. 2. While the Sooners' primary inside threats should be commended for their returns, neither played at full strength or could practice fully. Those were tough blows for a team already short on depth.

KEY RETURNEES
If Blake Griffin does not test the NBA waters, the Sooners will have a go-to guy to build around who could emerge as the Big 12's best player. The toughness he exhibited as a freshman was impressive, and will only build with another season. It will give him another year to play his brother, F Taylor Griffin, who is serviceable. G Austin Johnson and G Tony Crocker also return, but both must improve both handling the ball and shooting it.

ROSTER REPORT

--Throughout Oklahoma's stay in Birmingham, Ala., for its sub-regional in the NCAA Tournament, talk centered on the possibility Jeff Capel will leave his coaching post with the Sooners and take over at South Carolina. He downplayed speculation, but never ruled out any interest.

--G David Godbold led Oklahoma in both NCAA Tournament games, scoring 25 points against Austin Peay and 15 against Lousville. He went 11 for 22 from the field, including 9 for 15 from 3-point range.

--F Blake Griffin, the Sooners' leading scorer, managed only 20 points in the two NCAA games, but was restricted to few touches. He went 10 for 13 from the field.