Clark Foy/The Daily

I got into the game a bit late, I must admit (I don’t know why I’m starting out with that, hopefully my editor doesn’t proof read this [Editor's note: I did]), but I did get there in time to walk out of the tunnel right as the team did. Upon walking in, I was a bit disappointed.

Maybe a third of the seats were filled. And that’s being generous. Now granted the arena did fill up a little bit more, it still did not meet what I thought (and still do think) this team deserves. And no, the students did not show up either. I saw a comparable amount of empty seats in the student section as I did in the rest of the arena. If I could only change just one thing about OU fans…

Those fans that did show up to support the team were just fine though, granted it is hard to be energetic and loud the whole game when only half the stadium is filled. And whoever the group of students are that sit floorside next to the opponents bench – mad props. You guys are doing a great job, both in keeping me laughing and showing this team the love it deserves.

Willie Warren sure is looking like a commander out there, and I have to saw I am a bit surprised. I thought preseason that his ego would get in his way of being a team player this year, but he was finding guy all over the court, both on the fast break and during the half court offense. Willie – it is a pleasant surprise, but then again, it is only the first game of the season.

And I just witnessed Tony Crocker rising high to block a shot and receive a foul. While the call seemed correct, I like the play I’m seeing out of Crocker. That’s the third time this game he’s been back playing defense against the fast break. On one attempt, he earned himself a block, as he sent the ball and the opposing player straight down to the floor. He is still a bit inconsistent and hot-or-cold, but I don’t really think that will ever change, especially seeing as he is a senior. As they say, you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. After having only eight points in the first exhibition game, Crocker put up [points], including two on a fast break alley-oop pass thrown by Willie. I did manage to not stand up in my seat, but I may have let out a bit of a cheer (again, I hope my editor is not reading this).

This Andrew Fitzgerald guy is really growing on me, even more so than Gallon or Mason-Griffin. My expectations for him were not nearly as high as what I held for the other two talented frosh, but that was then, this is now. I’m not saying he will be better than Tiny or MG, but he’s going to be right there with them. If those two guys leave early, then we may see this team become his, and no I’m not kidding, the kid can play, and he’s a hard worker on the floor. He boxes out better than anyone on the team, including Wright and Gallon, and he is always fighting for more boards.

Speaking of unnoticed frosh, I looked up at the scoreboard and saw Steven Pledger had 16 points with 3:54 remaining. Let me tell you, that’s one of the quietest 16 points I’ve ever seen in my life. (Pledger must have read my mind as I typed that last sentence, because right when I got done he hit a three during the fast break led by Tiny. And no, that is not a typo; Tiny Gallon was running a fast break.) Pledger ended with 21 on a very impressive and surprising performance.

I talked to Willie after the game where he said he had not had double digit assists since his junior year of high school before finishing with 13 points and 11 assists. Upon another reporter asking him if the extra pressure he was seeing in the game by the opposing defense bothered him, Willie responded with “No” and that he was used to it because he’s “always been the go-to guy on every team he has played for.” He then said how last year was different because it was “Blake’s team” but this year is the same because it is his… that makes me feel very uneasy. One of my biggest fears this year is that Willie gets a big head and becomes a ball hog or tries to do too much.

Well, I am just completing this post as the game starts off against Louisiana-Monroe. More to come on how the transition defense looks in this game as it was terrible last game, and hopefully we will see the guys running and playing the fast break a lot more.