UP IN THE AIR
OU's Lon Kruger preparing for all possibilities as Sooners return to workouts
NORMAN — OU men's basketball coach Lon Kruger is still navigating exactly how to make things work in this new climate.
The So one rs began workouts Monday, with f our hours of on- court work and f our hours of off - court conditioning work allowed each week.
“It's not a full- blown workout by any means,” Kruger said .“A lot of shooting, a lot of team shooting, working in smaller groups, distancing a little bit in practice. All the players are wearing masks and all of the coaches are wearing masks.”
As with most things relating to sports right now, there is much uncertainty with college basketball.
Will there be a season? Will it be played on time? Will nonconference games be played or switched? Will fans be allowed in the stands?
“During the last four months, we've talked to the players and told them the most significant thing is our attitude,” Kruger said .“The attitude of being flexible, understanding that it' s not going to be normal.”
Kruger ticked off the list of things that could change.
“All that will be determined after we see what happens with football and how they get off to hopefully a good start,” Kruger said. “It's all up in the air.”
Football looms over everything with college sports.
It's the first major sport to get underway and the revenue driver for most athletic departments.
And Kruger echoed what several other So one rs coaches have said in emphasizing the importance of there being a college football season, even if it impacts the visibility of their sports.
In a Zoom conference with reporters Friday, Kruger was asked about the possibility that
football could be moved back to be played during the heart of the basketball schedule into spring.
“If it does go to spring ( or ) whatever we have to do, is great ,” Kruger said. “We just hope that young guys and gals in college have a chance to compete, and whatever we have to do to do that safely and give them that opportunity, we're good with it. We're not going to (squabble) over spring TV by any means.”
Then he got to the heart of the issue.
“We need football. We need revenue from football,” Kruger said. “We need those guys to have those opportunities to compete. However we have to do it is great. … We'll live with it and make whatever work.”