New Stars Shine Bright In OU’s First Basketball Exhibition

by ccmachine on Nov 3, 2009 11:00 PM CST in Basketball Comment 5 comments

Bill Waugh - AP

Oklahoma forward Tiny Gallon, was a rebound shy of a double-double in his exhibition debut. (AP Photo/Bill Waugh)

Much was expected and much was given by Oklahoma's new young guns Tuesday night in the team's first basketball exhibition game of the season. The Sooners had six players score 10 points or more in their 93-53 win over British Columbia and four of those were new players. Tiny Gallon was a rebound away from posting a double-double. He had 10 points and 9 boards but possibly his best stat was that he shot 5-6 from the floor. While that one rebounded eluded him his nine did lead the team.

Gallon's fellow McDonald's All-American, Tommie Mason-Griffin, went an impressive 4-6 from beyond the arch to score 12 points in his debut as a Sooner. However, the most impressive performance by one of the new guards was put on by Steven Pledger who also wen 4-6 from beyond the arch and added an old-fashioned two point basket as well for a total of 14 points in 18 minutes of playing time. Both Gallon and Mason-Griffin played 23 minutes each.

Not to be outdone by the other freshmen Andrew Fitzgerald put in a performance to be proud of as well. OU's freshman forward muscled his way to the free-throw line, converting 4-6, and dropped off a 3-5 shooting performance to finish with 10 points as well.

Oklahoma was strong in the paint (34 points) which is something that they'll need to continue to develop. As long as they are shooting three's the way they did (Cade Davis was also 2-2) it will make points in the paint a lot easier to come by. The Sooners must prove that they still have an inside/outside game without Blake Griffin on the floor and at least for their first performance we saw them do that.

By the way, Chilly Willie Warren had a quiet 23 points on a night where much of the spotlight was on the newcomers.

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warren

Well if this game was any indication, Mr. Willie Warren III (anybody else notice that?) will definitely be asked to carry this team. I agree w/ CC in that I was pretty impressed with all the freshman. Fitzgerald strikes me as one of those kids who doesn’t necessarily do any one thing incredibly well, but just keeps finding a way to get things done. Pledger can really fill it up from the outside which is great to have another option outside of Cade Davis. Mason-Griffin and Wille can dribble by anyone at anytime they wish and I hope they remember that fact throughout the year!

by jtesooner on Nov 4, 2009 1:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering about that Warren III thing

This game reaffirmed what Capel has been saying about this team. The posts are going to have to get in better shape. If the guards allowed any penetration there was no help near the rim on defense. Gallon and Fitzgerald are big and will be really solid down low when they get their legs but they are going to have to get in shape.
I disagree about Willie needing to carry the team. The team didn’t really start to pull away last night until Warren and Crocker sat down. The ball moved better and guys were getting open shots. Many of the shots Willie took last night will be denied in the big twelve… (and he was blocked badly at least 3 times last night). His ability to get to the basket is really impressive. If he penetrates and kicks it out to all of these shooters (Davis, Pledger, Mason-Griffin, Crocker) this team may really be able to score this year.
Last night was a great exhibition test. UBC was a solidly built group with some athletic guys. Lloyd Noble was pretty fired up for an exhibition on a Tuesday night when the Lakers were in town. Really, this could be a fun season.

by bigskinny on Nov 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs