In their SEC Home Opener Against Texas A&M, OU Men’s Basketball Aims to Address Their Rebounding Issues
As the University of Oklahoma (OU) men’s basketball team enters its Southeastern Conference (SEC) home opener against Texas A&M, all eyes are on their efforts to overcome one of the most glaring challenges of the season: rebounding. This struggle has been a recurring theme throughout their non-conference and early SEC schedule, and it’s something that head coach Porter Moser and his players are eager to address as they look to get back on track in the highly competitive SEC.
The Rebounding Struggles: A Major Concern
Rebounding has long been considered a cornerstone of successful basketball teams, and for the Oklahoma Sooners, it has been a source of frustration. While the team has shown promise in certain areas of their game, including offense and defense, their performance on the boards has left much to be desired. This is particularly alarming in a league like the SEC, where physicality and size often dominate the paint, and the battle for rebounds can determine the outcome of games.
Through the early stages of the season, the Sooners have consistently been out-rebounded by their opponents, a trend that has led to significant second-chance points and additional possessions for opposing teams. Whether it’s defensive or offensive rebounding, Oklahoma has struggled to maintain control of the glass. Against elite teams like Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas, this issue became particularly evident, as the Sooners were unable to secure crucial rebounds in key moments.
The Impact of Poor Rebounding on Overall Play
Rebounding is more than just a stat on the box score—it has a direct impact on the flow of the game. In basketball, securing the rebound often sets the tone for the next possession, either extending your team’s offense or limiting the opponent’s chances. For the Sooners, allowing second-chance opportunities has been a critical factor in their losses, especially against teams with strong frontcourts or size advantages.
Offensively, Oklahoma has been forced into tough, contested shots without the opportunity to reset possessions. On defense, the inability to secure defensive rebounds means more chances for opponents to score, which can quickly shift the momentum of a game.
OU’s struggles with rebounding have not only limited their ability to control the game but have also exposed weaknesses in their overall game plan. The Sooners are left scrambling to mitigate the damage caused by this issue, often finding themselves fighting from behind after giving up offensive boards or failing to close out defensive possessions. For a team that prides itself on fundamentals and disciplined play, this has been a frustrating challenge that they must address if they are to contend in the SEC.
Texas A&M: A Strong Rebounding Opponent
As OU prepares for its SEC home opener against Texas A&M, the challenge becomes even more daunting. The Aggies, under the guidance of head coach Buzz Williams, are known for their physical play and aggressive rebounding. Texas A&M is a team that thrives on crashing the boards, often out-rebounding their opponents by a wide margin. This presents a significant challenge for the Sooners, who must find a way to hold their own in the paint and prevent the Aggies from dominating the glass.
Texas A&M’s ability to control the boards has been a major reason for their success this season. The Aggies have a well-balanced frontcourt with players who are both athletic and physical, capable of contesting rebounds in tight spaces and securing loose balls. They have also demonstrated a knack for getting offensive rebounds, leading to extra possessions and second-chance points. If OU fails to contain the Aggies’ efforts on the glass, it could spell trouble for the Sooners’ chances of winning the game.
The matchup against Texas A&M will serve as a litmus test for Oklahoma’s rebounding efforts. Against a team that excels in this area, the Sooners will need to be at their best in terms of positioning, timing, and overall physicality. Anything less than a committed effort on the boards could result in another loss, and the consequences of this would be more than just statistical; it would signal that the Sooners are still unable to address their fundamental rebounding issues.
Strategies to Improve Rebounding
In order to address their rebounding issues, OU must adopt several key strategies heading into their home opener against Texas A&M:
- Fundamental Positioning and Box Outs
The most basic and often overlooked aspect of rebounding is positioning. For the Sooners to improve on the glass, they must focus on getting into proper position before the shot goes up. Players need to establish solid body position between their man and the basket, boxing out to prevent offensive players from getting easy rebounds. Additionally, OU must emphasize the importance of finding the ball once a shot goes up, rather than just standing and watching. This approach will help them secure more defensive boards and prevent Texas A&M from getting easy second-chance opportunities. - Aggressive Pursuit of the Ball
While positioning is key, the aggression with which a team pursues the rebound is equally important. The Sooners must be relentless in their pursuit of the ball, not just waiting for it to come to them but actively going after it. This means crashing the boards with intensity and determination, particularly in the final moments of a possession when the ball is in the air. In games where rebounding has been an issue, Oklahoma has often been passive in going after the ball. In the contest against Texas A&M, they need to assert themselves and be the more aggressive team on the glass. - Rotating Defensively and Covering the Perimeter
Texas A&M’s aggressive rebounding is often coupled with their ability to rotate quickly on defense. They’re capable of getting back into position after a missed shot, limiting opponents’ opportunities for fast breaks. In order for OU to secure rebounds, they need to ensure that they’re not caught out of position when shots are missed. This means emphasizing good defensive rotations and ensuring that all players on the court are aware of their responsibilities to box out and secure the board. It also means staying aware of shooters on the perimeter and preventing the ball from being kicked out for uncontested three-pointers after a missed rebound. - Small Ball and Increased Speed
Although OU faces size disadvantages in terms of overall height, one way to combat this is to employ a smaller, quicker lineup when necessary. By bringing in guards or smaller forwards to play in the paint, the Sooners can increase their agility and quickness around the boards, often allowing them to out-hustle larger opponents for rebounds. This strategy might not work in every situation but can be a valuable tool in the right context, especially if the Aggies’ big men are dominating inside.
