Catching Up with Coach Kruger

Oklahoma men's basketball head coach Lon Kruger spoke with reporters during the Big 12's weekly teleconference. OU (7-0) is off to its best start since the 2008-09 season. Here is what the coach of the No. 3 Sooners had to say.

Q: On the team's performance so far this season:
A: “We're early in the season, so a lot to work on in a lot of areas for sure. We always look to talk more defensively, communicate better in transition defensively and be more physical and aggressive on the boards. All those areas we can continue to do a better job of. The good things, this group has moved the ball well, they've shot the ball well. They're shooting at such a good percentage you can never expect that, perhaps. But this group puts in the time. They've got great leadership out of their senior group, they've played a lot of games together, they know where the ball needs to go, and they are very willing passers in that way. They're making a lot of good plays for each other.”

Q: On the Big 12 Conference's performance in non-league games:
A: “The Big 12 is great again, no surprise there. When you think about the results of the nonconference games, everyone is playing well, getting good results and beating good teams. It's great to see. And no surprise when you get into conference we know it's going to be a battle every night. And if you don't play well, you're not going to win. That's the nature of the league and that's why it's such a great league.”

Q: On the improvement of Buddy Hield's overall game:
A: “Buddy's always worked hard, but in the spring, summer, and fall he took that to another level. He just carries himself with more confidence, more security, making a lot of good plays. Rebounding the ball better, handling it in a crowd better. Just his desire, he's just become a better player across the board.”

Q: On the game against Villanova (Pearl Harbor Invitational):
A: “It was a good performance. It was a great trip overall. The game actually paled by comparison to the value of the historical perspective for our guys. Just a fantastic trip. Other than that, we had that stretch in the first half where there was a five minute dry spell and we wasted some possessions, but otherwise it was pretty solid. When you shoot the ball well it makes a lot of things look pretty good, and this group has been shooting the ball very well and moving the ball well and they are getting good shots. So a lot of things work because of that.”

Q: On the officiating this season:
A: “I think it's going well. I think officials are working at it, you know, it's going to be a work in progress for a while for sure. It's not going to happen overnight, but it seems like they are committed to it. Low post grabbing and holding has been cleaned up a lot, I think the hand checking up front has been cleaned up a lot. I think they're working at it and doing a really good job and they'll keep improving on that as well.”

Q: On the attitude of the team from the ending of last year to now:
A: “They have responded appropriately in terms of being very disappointed with losing the Sweet 16 game to Michigan State. You can see a little extra enthusiasm in their step. They have always worked hard, but I thought their commitment in the spring, summer and fall was really outstanding. The time in the gym on their own, and not just the time, but they were committed to it. That older group is such a good influence on the new kids coming into the program and the culture overall. The value of how they go about their work and their preparation is extremely important, too.”

Q: On the leadership of this year's team:
A: "It's pretty much the group. They all have their little areas that they maybe step out a little bit in, but overall, it's a senior group. And of course, Jordan Woodard as a junior has been a part of that group as well, so really as a class they've done a great job.”