Why did OU's Tanner Groves put on extra muscle this offseason? 'He wants to win so bad'

NORMAN — Tanner Groves was eating so much food that he was uncomfortable.

OU's 6-foot-10 senior embarked on a mission to gain some weight and get stronger this past offseason. Groves averaged a healthy 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season, but he wanted to be able to match the physicality of Big 12 play in his final year of eligibility.

That meant he needed to eat a lot.

Groves claims he ate "everything in sight" throughout the summer, and he quickly realized he might've bit off more than he could chew.

"It was tough," Groves said. "Throughout the whole summer I was just thinking, 'Man, I don't know if I can do this.'"

But Groves pushed through the discomfort and is reaping the benefits.

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Oklahoma forward Tanner Groves spent the offseason trying to gain weight.
Oklahoma forward Tanner Groves spent the offseason trying to gain weight.

He now tips the scales at 242 pounds, 14 pounds heavier than last season, and the extra weight has had a positive affect both on and off the court.

"Every week, I've noticed my weights are going up in terms of lifts," Groves said. "On the court, I feel more athletic. I feel faster than I've ever felt and stronger than I've ever felt before. That extra weight has been huge, and I'm just really pumped to see how it translates once we get going with these games."

Groves' extra weight should allow him to have a bigger presence in the paint this season.

The big man shot 63.3% from inside the arc last season, but he fell in love with 3-point shooting rather than battling down low. Groves attempted 113 3-pointers, which surpassed his combined total of 110 attempts from his first three seasons at Eastern Washington.

"You'll probably see me in the post a little bit more, posting up and working from there" Groves said. "At Eastern Washington, that's where the majority of my points came from. You might see a little bit more of that this year."

Regardless of where Groves gets his buckets this season, he'll be a focal point in OU's offense once again.

Groves will be asked to do a lot for the Sooners, but he's fine with putting more on his plate.

"There isn't a cast of a shadow whether he can play at this level or not," OU head coach Porter Moser said. "He wants to win so bad, and I think he's been much better."

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Tip-ins

➤ Moser said sophomore forward Yaya Keita and freshman guard Benny Schroeder are working out with the team. Both newcomers missed time this offseason due to meniscus injuries.

➤ Moser is expecting big things out of senior Jalen Hill.

The Sooners are in need of defensive specialists following the departure of veteran wing player Elijah Harkless, who transferred to UNLV this past offseason. Hill is expected to have a larger role on that side of the ball.

"He's elite defensively," Moser said. "You’ll look at him and say, 'He looks as good as he’s ever been in his career.' The physical condition, the lean muscle, and his pride level on defense is off the charts. Jalen Hill has been an elite defensive player all summer and fall. "

Moser also expects Hill to take the next step on offense. The 6-6, 232-pound forward averaged career-highs of 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season, but he hopes to become a multi-level scorer this time around by extending his range.

"He’s really improved his shot," Moser said. "He’s moved (the ball) up. Sometimes he had it in front of his face. We’ve done some tweaks and adjustments all summer, and I think his shot looks a lot better. He’s more confident off the dribble. He’s quicker from point A to point B off the dribble... I think he’s becoming more of an inside-outside threat this year, being able to knock down shots."

➤ Moser is confident in his team's ability to shoot 3-pointers.

That department was a struggle last season for the Sooners, who ranked 118th in the nation in 3-point percentage (34.68). But Moser said that number will increase with the addition of scorers such as Grant Sherfield and Joe Bamisile, and he had an interesting way of describing the team's range.

"In a scouting report, the elite shooters are (Kyle) Korvers," Moser said. "Then there’s (Dwyane) Wades and then there’s (Rajon) Rondos. I don’t think we’ll have a Rondo on the floor this year. I love (Rondo's) competitiveness. I’d take him on my team. The guys we’ve added can shoot."

➤ Senior Jacob Groves took this past offseason to work on his 3-point shooting.

The 6-9 forward shot 36.4% from distance during his 2020-21 campaign at Eastern Washington, but that number dipped to 30.7% last season with OU.

"We're always working on that next step offensively and what's going to allow me to play at the next level," Jacob Groves said. "I think a big part of that is just my shooting and fixing my shot. I've been shooting the ball well."

➤ Sherfield said he enjoys watching NBA point guards such as Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, John Wall and Trae Young.

Sherfield's appreciation for facilitating point guards shows when he steps onto the court. The 6-2 senior ranked fourth in the nation in assists per game last season (6.4) at Nevada, and he'll be the primary facilitator for OU.

"I really just like to take what the defense gives me," Sherfield said. "In order to reach the ultimate level, I know what I have to do. I have to get others involved and make them help us win games."

➤ Moser expects sophomore C.J. Noland's offensive game to become more well-rounded this season.

The 6-2 guard averaged 3.9 points in 12.6 minutes per game last season. He shot 43.6% from distance but didn't put the ball on the floor too often.

That came as a surprise, considering the bulky guard thrived at getting to the rim in high school. Now a second-year guard, Noland is poised for a breakout campaign.

"If you let him go downhill, you'll be like, 'Dang, did you see C.J. go?'" Moser said. "I think he's doing that more consistently. I think we're going to have 'Whoa, C.J.' more often. I think you're going to see his burst of athleticism get into the game more often. What I've seen out of C.J. Noland is I've seen his foot on the gas pedal way more consistently."

➤ Moser said, "I don't know" when asked if he plans to keep his beard, which has gained popularity on Twitter.

The second-year OU head coach posted a side-by-side comparison of himself and Dos Equis' "Most Interesting Man in the World." While it's unclear if Moser's beard will live to see OU's season opener against Sam Houston on Nov. 7, it is clear that his players are pushing for it to stick around.

"I like it," Sherfield said. "When he comes back from the barbershop and it's lined up, I'm like 'Okay, Coach. You look a little younger now.' I'm rocking with the beard, for sure."

Moser has some competition for the team's best beard. Tanner Groves' beard gives him a run for his money.

"I don't know if he has it over Tanner," Noland said. "I don't know, but it's pretty good. I like it."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's basketball: Tanner Groves enters final season hungry, strong