Oklahoma Newcomers to Help Lon Kruger in Rebuilding Process
Lon Kruger is excited about the 2012-2013 basketball season. The head coach at the University of Oklahoma is pleased with the recruiting class for the season. The Sooners are in the middle of a rebuild, but hope to do so quickly with a number of top athletes coming in.
Ryan Spangler, a 6’8 power forward has transferred from Gonzaga to Norman Oklahoma. He played in 22 games for the Bulldogs in his freshman season. D.J. Bennett comes over from Indian Hills Community College. At the Junior College, the 6’8 big man scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds per game. Indian Hills finished with 33 wins on the season and 7th in the NJCAA tournament.
Coach Kruger had this to say about both of the recruits: “They’re two quality individuals who have great passion to be at the University of Oklahoma, It’s always a priority to have people in the program who really want to be here.” In regards to D.J. Bennett, his coach at Indian Hills has this to say: “D.J.’s a fantastic athlete, Activity is his best asset. He can really run, he can really get on the rim and can rebound and block shots with his activity, his length and his bounce. He can score around the rim and can face up and shoot that mid-range shot from the elbows (of the lane) and the short corners. And he’s a pretty clean free throw shooter”
Oklahoma also added four high school graduates to the mix. Isaiah Cousins, Buddy Hield and Jelon Hornbeak will all play the guard position for the Sooners, while C.J. Cole should mix it up with the forwards.
The Sooners won just five games in Big 12 play last season.
Overall, Oklahoma went 15-16, after starting the season winning 10 of their first 13 games. The Sooners ended their season in the Big 12 tournament when they were downed byTexas A+M.
