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January 26, 2010

FRESH STRUGGLES

By John Shinn

It was no secret freshmen would have a massive impact on Oklahoma this season. Tommy Mason-Griffin and Tiny Gallon were McDonald's All-American and penciled in as starters before the season even began.

But after 19 games, OU's first-year players have been a mixed bag.

Mason-Griffin appears to have turned a corner, averaging 23.5 points in the Sooners' games at Texas A--M and Texas Tech last week.

"I think he's becoming more comfortable, understanding the game more, understanding spots to attack and moments to attack," OU coach Jeff Capel said Monday. "He's been shooting the ball very well from 3 and he's a very good shooter. He's gotten some very good looks."

The freshman point-guard helped carry the Sooners on the offensive end last Saturday against Texas Tech. Willie Warren was out of the game with an ankle injury so someone had to carry the team.

And no other freshman has matched Mason-Griffin's production lately.

Gallon is having a hard time staying out of foul trouble and came off the bench against the Red Raiders for the fourth time this season.

He only played 16 minutes in Lubbock, scoring just five points and pulling down five rebounds.

Gallon is capable of so much more. His inconsistency is causing a lot of OU's frustration.

"You see moments from him where you see and understand all the talent and why he was rated as such. You see so many tools," Capel said. "Then you have more moments where you're watching and thinking, 'My gosh, why is he doing that? And why isn't he doing this?'

"There needs to be more consistency. We want to get him the ball more, but he has to work for it more. When he gets it, positive things have to happen.

"We believe in him. He's a good player and we really need him, but his approach to everything has to improve."

But they are the only freshmen who have really done anything since conference play began.

Guard Stephen Pledger is averaging just 4.0 points in Big 12 games, despite playing just 21.4 minutes per game. Forward Andrew Fitzgerald is averaging just 1.0 points while playing an average of 10 minutes in conference games.

"Some of our guys off the bench have to give us something," Capel said.

Shooting woes

After last week's games, OU dropped to last in the Big 12 in shooting percentage, connecting at a season rate of 43.5 percent. It's shooting 38 percent in conference games.

Capel said shot selection has been a big emphasis in practice, but it hasn't translated to the game floor.

"I think if our shot selection becomes better, our percentages will really improve," he said. "Guys have to understand if you're not making shots or not scoring as a team, you can't have a one-pass or a no-pass shot. You have to get some movement and make the defense work."

Warren's health

Capel hoped Warren's injured ankle had healed well enough to return to practice Monday.

"We'll probably have a better feel by this (Monday) afternoon, but we certainly hope we'll be able to get him back," he said earlier in the day.

Warren suffered the injury two days before the Texas Tech game. He suited up for the game, but wore a medical boot on his right foot.

He still can get at least one more day until OU plays again. It takes on Iowa State at 8 Wednesday night at Lloyd Noble Center.

John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com

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