Oklahoma Basketball: Breaking down Sooners projected 2019-20 rotation

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Head coach Lon Kruger of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: The Oklahoma Sooners bench reacts in the second half against the Mississippi Rebels during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Small Forward

Minutes allocation (40 total): Jalen Hill (22), Kristian Doolittle (10), Austin Reaves (8)

Hill

I think the added depth of young big men allows Kristian Doolittle to play more at the three, if not potentially start there, but I project Hill starting for this Sooners team, just losing some minutes to KD. Hill plays tougher than his 6’7 180-pound frame suggests. He will play hard on the defensive side of the ball and be a slasher and shooter for this Sooner team. He’s not a huge playmaker, but has a solid handle and will look to drive and finish around the rim as well. I’m not projecting him to be a huge factor player freshman season, but he will give constant effort and play hard. I predict he will be a 4-year starter, and develop himself, improve each year, and be a first-round NBA draft pick when it’s said and done like Buddy Hield.

Doolittle

At the end of last season Doolittle did a lot for this Sooners team. In the teams round one matchup in the March Madness tournament against Ole Miss, Doolittle scored 19 points, had 15 rebounds, to go along with 5 assists. With the added big man depth, Lon Kruger could let Doolittle have some burn at the small forward position, being a matchup nightmare.

Reaves

I know what you guys are thinking. “Why does this dude have Austin Reaves getting some small forward minutes?” My favorite lineup combination for this Oklahoma team this year consists of this: Harmon, Bieniemy, Reaves, Doolittle, & Manek.

Harmon, Bieniemy & Reaves are each very good ball handlers and can move the ball around very well and make tons of plays. Doolittle is a mismatch at the 4 as he can spread the floor with his shooting ability, and is a very underrated passer as well. Manek obviously adds another shooter in the pick and roll/pop game as well. This lineup would be our “Death lineup” and a rotation I would love to end games with. You have four capable passers, making the offense flow extremely well, and legitimately five shooting threats on the floor. I contemplated going with this in my starting lineup but needed Bieniemy coming off the bench in a backup point guard role. Look for that potential lineup during the season, as I think it could be dangerous.

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