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#9 Oklahoma Sooners
Big 12
2004-05: 25-8,
12-4, 1st
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
After a late season
run, Oklahoma ended up atop the Big 12 conference. That didn’t
carry over to the postseason, where the Sooners won just one
game in the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments. A few defections
during the off season will knock Coach Kelvin Sampson’s squad
down a few spots, but not out of the top ten.
Who’s Out: Drew
Lavender and Lawrence McKenzie headed closer to home by
transferring to Xavier and Minnesota, respectively, after their
sophomore campaigns. Lavender averaged 9.7 points and 3.2
assists last year and McKenzie tacked on 9.5 points per game.
The backcourt also loses Jaison Williams who started 22 contests
as a senior. Williams averaged 6.8 points per game and was one
of the teams best long range threats. Little used walk-on guard
Aaron Foster has left the team to concentrate on his academics.
Despite all the losses, the backcourt is still a strength for
the Sooners with Terrell Everett and David Godbold returning.
The frontcourt loses sub Johnnie Gilbert. Gilbert was usually
the first player off the bench averaging 3.8 points and 3.7
boards.
Who’s In: Chris
Walker could earn the starting point guard spot for the Sooners.
The 6-3 lefty averaged 11.7 points, 7.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds
and 3.5 steals as a sophomore last year at San Joaquin Delta
College in California. If Walker isn’t ready for the starting
point job, returnee Terrell Everett will move over to the point,
leaving a starting spot open for newcomer Michael Neal at the
two guard. Neal, a transfer from Lon Morris College, is a
tremendous long range shooter and will see plenty of playing
time whether he starts or not. Austin Johnson will add depth to
all the guard spots. The 6-3 Amarillo, Texas product is a big
time scorer and has a solid all-around game. Nate Carter will
fill in nicely at the small forward spot. Carter, who can also
play at power forward, averaged 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds
during his two years at UC Riverside. The Big West Freshman of
the Year in 2002-2003 will continue his success in the Big 12.
Taylor Griffin rounds out the group of newcomers and the 6-7
forward is expected to contribute to the frontcourt
immediately. The Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year averaged
18.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.3 blocks per game
at Christian High School last year.
Who to Watch:
Kevin Bookout might be the leader of this team, but Taj Gray and
Terrell Everett have proven to be the go to players. Gray, a
6-9 forward, led the team with 14.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per
game. Everett placed second on the team in scoring with 12.5
points per game and added 5.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7
steals per contest.
Projected
Conference Rank: There are plenty of options and depth for
Oklahoma, despite the unexpected departures. David Godbold was
a surprising freshman last year and earned a starting job by the
end of the year. He will most likely lose that starting job,
but provides a great option off the bench. Longar Longar is the
only center on the roster and has plenty of talent and potential
to be a key contributor, or a starter, despite his lack of
playing time last year. It’s a two horse race atop the Big 12
and a 2nd place finish for the Sooners will have them
on the losing side of the Red River Shootout.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Chris Walker., Junior,
Guard, DNP last season
Terrell Everett,
Senior, Guard, 12.5 points per game
Nate Carter, Junior,
Forward, DNP last season
Kevin Bookout, Senior,
Forward, 11.5 points per game
Taj Gray, Senior,
Forward, 14.6 points per game
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