Jordan Woodard Headed to the Big 12

It's been a long recruiting process for Edmond Memorial (OK) point guard Jordan Woodard. The 6-foot guard has seen the likes of Kansas, Florida State, Missouri and Oklahoma State, among others recruiting him but it came down to three schools.

Oklahoma, Memphis and Stanford were the three schools he selected from and just about everybody expected the home team Sooners to pick up the talented 2013 guard.

The Sooners have been the most consistent program recruiting Woodard and Oklahoma did have the homefield advantage. However, Stanford and Memphis both offer the chance to contribute to a great basketball program as well.

Lon Kruger Expected to Leave UNLV for Oklahoma

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

After seven years as the head coach of the UNLV Rebels, former Kansas State guard Lon Kruger reportedly will re-join the Big 12 as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners.

Kruger led UNLV to four NCAA tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 berth during his tenure.

Kruger accumulated a record of 161-71 (72-38) and had a winning season every year at UNLV, plus five straight 20-win seasons.

If true, Kruger will succeed Jeff Capel, who took the Sooners to an Elite Eight but failed to stay consistent with recruiting and wins.

This will be the sixth head coaching position Kruger has held over his career and I'm not sure if it'll be his last.

Kruger will have a tough time trying to take over a program that is in turmoil after a lack of success after getting to the Elite Eight a few years ago.

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Jeff Capel's Seat at Oklahoma Getting Hotter

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

There are a lot of upset Oklahoma Sooner (3-4) fans this season. The Sooners started off with a (3-0) record, but stepped outside of Oklahoma and watch their flawless record drop under 500.

That includes a loss to Division II Chaminade 68-64.

Jeff Capel, with former-Oklahoma Sooner Blake Griffin, led his team to an impressive 30-6 (13-3) record in '08-09.

His 30-win season was accommodated by a trip to the Elite Eight where Oklahoma fell to the eventual National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels.

Just two years following his Elite Eight berth, Capel has turned in a disappointing 13-18 (4-12) season with talented players like Tommy Mason-Griffin, Willie Warren, Tiny Gallon, and Cade Davis.

With most of his significant players gone, Capel looked on to his 2010 recruiting class to uplift his roster. However, the Sooners have got off to a disappointing 3-4 start, and racked up 14 straight losses away from home.

Granted, this is an Oklahoma team with only one senior, Davis who leads the Sooners in scoring with 15.6 point per game, and nine new faces that joined Capel's roster this season.

Capel has yet to utilize the ability of his talented freshman Cameron Clark. Clark is more suitable for a half court system, that runs in transition. He excels in transition, and could spark the Sooners if allowed.

Nonetheless, the season is very early and Capel has a chance to turn things around for Oklahoma. However, the talent is there, now it's Capel's turn to lead his team to a victory.

Capel has come from a pair of 12 game win streaks, to a 14 game losing streak away from home, and off to the worst start in the decade. Oklahoma is certainly on pace to miss the tournament for the second straight time, which doesn't sit well with the Oklahoma fan base.

His 2011 recruiting class isn't helping his cause either. It has been two years, and he does have plenty of time to turn the season around, but continuing to lose with a celebrated program like Oklahoma isn't acceptable.

Athletic Director Joe Castiglione could be watching how Capel handles things this year with his current basketball team, and recruiting wise. That could certainly dictate his job security in the future.

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Naadir Tharpe Sets Up Visit Schedule

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Naadir Tharpe, a 6-foot guard from Brewster Academy (NH) embraces a skill set that coaches are watching closely.

Tharpe was recently visited by North Carolina State, Kansas Head Coach Bill Self, and Joe Dooley.

Now, Tharpe will be on the move to visit College Basketball programs.

Tharpe is set to visit the Oklahoma Sooners October 15. Oklahoma has been a big fan of Tharpe since he decommitted back in the summer.

Oklahoma Head Coach Jeff Capel would love to acquire a special point guard like Tharpe.

The Kansas Jayhawks will also be visited by Tharpe on October 22nd. The Jayhawks have a special interest in Tharpe and could use him after this season with the notion that Josh Selby is a one-and-done player.

Tharpe has two visit scheduled but could fit St. Johns in his schedule as well. He is currently considering Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, NC State, and St. Johns.

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Quincy Miller: Where Will The No. 1 Forward in the 2011 Recruiting Class End Up?

Many may know Quincy Miller as "Miller Time" but start calling him big time. You know the old saying of “big time players, make big time plays?”

With just about 25 seconds left on the clock, Miller was on the wing and hit the game-winning three that won the U18 National team their gold medal.

That alone shows you his maturity as a basketball player. He is willing to step up and make plays when his team needs it.

Miller is a highly-touted recruit and after his performance on the U18 National team, he has to be considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the upcoming recruiting process.

Miller is a 6-foot-10 forward. He has the ability to play all five positions because of his athleticism, size and length. 

He has great handle with the ball at 6-foot-10. Not only that, but he can stretch the defense with his shooting.

If I had to compare Miller to another player, he would definitely be a Kevin Durant clone.

He has the ability to fill up the stats sheet and will have an instant impact wherever he decides to go.

He has a high basketball I.Q and is the type of player you can build your program around.

He has good vision and passing skills for his size. When penetrating the lane, he doesn’t force things. If he notices the defense is clamping on him, he’ll pass the ball to the open defender.

This shows you his ability to create for others and himself.

To go along with his size, he displays good speed. If you're running in transition, you feel safe with Miller running behind you. 

He finishes strong around the rim and has the ability to throw down power full dunks, or alley-oops on defenders.

On defense, he can be a great weak-side shot blocker. 


He comes out of nowhere for the rejection--or he will simply just swat your driving lay-up or shot. 


I've also had the chance to witness him block a dunk attempt.

He has the ability to lock down on defenders because of his size. He swats at the ball and gets a lot of steals because of his length.

In addition, he can clean the boards. He is always around the rim either cleaning up a miss, or grabbing a board and looking to push the ball.

A lot of teams are looking for an all-around talent like Miller and he could end up anywhere.

There is Kentucky, Wake Forest, Georgetown, Oklahoma, and Duke that has Miller's interest.

It's reported that he has a strong interest in the University of Kentucky.

However, don't count out other suitors. 


Big time Quincy Miller has become one of the hottest recruits because of his play this past year.

He will only continue to improve and give scouts more to drool about.

Check out his latest highlight video produced by ONEent

Written by DeAnte Mitchell