Tuesday, February 12, 2013
How the Sooners replace Hield
Replacing the production of freshman Buddy Hield (broken right foot) will be very difficult for Lon Kruger and the Oklahoma Sooners.
According to the school, Hield is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks with the injury, a time frame that could end his season. So how will the Sooners replace the energy and all-around talent of Hield, their 6-foot-3 first-year guard who's fourth on the team in scoring (8.6 ppg), third in rebounding (4.3 rpg) and leader in assists (2.0 spg)?
For one, they will need senior Steven Pledger to step up and show the type of offense he did last season. Freshman guards Je'lon Hornbeak and Isaiah Cousins also figure to see their minutes increase. How well these three play, both defensively and on offense -- where all are shooting under 40 percent this season -- could determine whether Oklahoma reached the NCAA tournament this season.
