The year didn’t go as planned for Oklahoma basketball as it transitioned away from Buddy Hield.
Most folks knew Oklahoma basketball would transition this season. That is what happens when three starters, including the national POY, graduate.
Related Story: Trae Young commits to Oklahoma
The team was actually OK at 6-4 until senior Jordan Woodard missed some time in mid-December. The team lost all four games without his leadership and scoring. He battled back in a huge road win at West Virginia, but the season was effectively done when he went down with a knee injury at Iowa State. The Sooners went 3-8 without Woodard but did manage to beat Texas, TCU, and throttle Kansas State in February to salvage some respectability. Otherwise, there were no victories of note.
If there is one thing to take away from this year, it is that the team’s youth looks ready to carry the torch for Lon Kruger. Three underclassmen led the team in scoring after Woodard went down. Freshmen Kameron McGusty and Kristian Doolittle averaged 10.9 and 9.1 points per game, respectively. Sophomore Rashard Odomes increased his output to 10.1 points from 2.1 last year. There were some definite limitations without Woodard; namely a consistent distributor, but there is potential going forward.
The season didn’t go as expected, but injuries and youth prevented this team from finding a consistent footing all year.
Final Grade: C
So, what is next in Norman?
Who’s gone:
G – Jordan Woodard (14.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.9 spg)
Woodard is the only significant departure so far. He led the team in assists and steals despite missing 11 games. There is no doubt his experience will be missed, but the Sooners have plenty of opportunities to grow without him.
Woodard’s absence could be most apparent on the perimeter, where he led the team in threes made with 38 (36 percent). That was a significant drop in percentage, but that was to be expected considering he was the best option returning this season.
Who’s back:
G – Kameron McGusty (10.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
G – Christian James (7.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
G – Jordan Shepherd (4.3 ppg)
G – Darrion Strong-Moore (3.8 ppg)
G/F Rashard Odomes (10.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
F – Khadeem Lattin (8.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg)
F – Khristian Doolittle (9.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
F – Dante Buford (3.8 ppg)
F – Matt Freeman (2.7 ppg)
C – Jamuni McNeace (4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
There is a ton coming back next year. McGusty, Doolittle, Odomes and Lattin are all strong starting options going into 2017-2018 with how they grew this season. The remaining six guys returning are all fine depth pieces who should battle for playing time. Nobody is likely to jump to the NBA and I wouldn’t expect anyone to transfer based on what I see at the moment.
The point guard is maybe the most contested spot between Strong-Moore and Shepherd. The two shared it after Woodard’s injury. The freshman Shepherd had a better assist/turnover ratio on the year, but Strong-Moore has more total experience. Both will have to contend with OU’s incoming point guard.
Who’s new:
G – Trae Young (6’2″, 170 lbs)
F – Brady Manek (6’9″, 205 lbs)
C – Hannes Pöllä (6’11”, 265 lbs)
Top 100 guard Trae Young is huge for this team. The Norman, OK native chose the Sooners over Kansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State at the end. I did say Strong-Moore and Shepherd could battle for point, but Young should be the immediate starter based on his hype. He is a McDonald’s All-American that could make the NBA leap after just one year.
Manek is another in-state prospect that can play multiple positions with his size and range. It is good that Lon Kruger is capable of keeping the state’s best talent at home and away from the rest of the Big 12 coaches. Pöllä is a wildcard from Finland. He is a mountain but could struggle with the speed of the college game.
OU is maxed out on scholarships now. It is hard to project someone leaving with so much potential for growth next year, but crazy things tend to happen on the transfer trail. Oklahoma is in great shape with what they have returning and incoming next year.
Next: Breaking down Oklahoma State's roster
Final Number to know:
87% – That is the proportion of the team scoring coming back. The team will again be young, but between McGusty, Doolittle, Lattin and the rest, Oklahoma will again be in the mix for a strong Big 12 finish and NCAA bid.