2017 my picks

[skilledserv]

Thankfully, most of us have not. It's a slimey world filled with "coaches", "mentors", "recruiting experts" and "trainers" all looking for handouts (in some form) and ego strokes. The girls game is getting bad in large urban areas like the metroplex.

It's no wonder these girls come in so entitled and selfish when they get to college. The transfer numbers in the girls game have skyrocketed the past 10 years.

The two best things the NCAA could do for the girls game is to reduce the scholarships to 13 like the guys and to make the college coaches evaluate kids during their high school season/games.

I agree with this post 100% ......everyone's trying to make a living off these kids talents and that's not cool at all. It goes as far as colleges getting kids to come to there camps, and yes OU as well as every big 12 team does it

 

[SoonerNorm]

OU stopped having summer camps but, your point is still valid.

 

[SOONERGRAD]

The only possibilities on that list Are Addison Ryan and Tatum V and Those are 2018's.

2017 is going to be a very suprising year. I highly doubt any of the 2017's listed Come to OU.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Based on what we know now, we will probably have Gabbi at the point, Llanusa at the 2, and Chelsea at the 3.

Things fall off significantly after that. Yes, I know that Penzo and L Williams will be on the roster. If we don't pick up at least 3 really good guards in 2017, we will fall further behind Baylor and Texas. It will also be very hard (if not impossible) for us to be a top 20 team. I don't think Nancy is going to provide large scoring or rebounding numbers so we must have guards who can. I expect Sherri will maintain a 4-guard offense which means we won't have a true PF to help inside. This places a premium on having great guards who can score and hit the boards. There are a few available in the 2017 class. We can't afford to whiff on signing them.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Based on what we know now, we will probably have Gabbi at the point, Llanusa at the 2, and Chelsea at the 3.

Things fall off significantly after that. Yes, I know that Penzo and L Williams will be on the roster. If we don't pick up at least 3 really good guards in 2017, we will fall further behind Baylor and Texas. It will also be very hard (if not impossible) for us to be a top 20 team. I don't think Nancy is going to provide large scoring or rebounding numbers so we must have guards who can. I expect Sherri will maintain a 4-guard offense which means we won't have a true PF to help inside. This places a premium on having great guards who can score and hit the boards. There are a few available in the 2017 class. We can't afford to whiff on signing them.

Time will tell, but I do expect we will be in the top 20 most of the time in the years 2018-2020. You may be right that it will be nearly impossible for us to ever be in the top 20 during that time, but history argues strongly against you.

In addition I think Nancy will be able to make our team, play at OU, and help our team. Again, time will tell, and all I ask is that when those years arrive you "man up" and admit how really weak you thought we would be and what a lousy player you thought Nancy would be.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Time will tell, but I do expect we will be in the top 20 most of the time in the years 2018-2020. You may be right that it will be nearly impossible for us to ever be in the top 20 during that time, but history argues strongly against you.

In addition I think Nancy will be able to make our team, play at OU, and help our team. Again, time will tell, and all I ask is that when those years arrive you "man up" and admit how really weak you thought we would be and what a lousy player you thought Nancy would be.

Go back and read carefully what I said. You missed it badly the first time.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Not trying to argue with you, Norm.

How good players will be when they arrive is hard to predict. I was simply saying I think Nancy will be at least as valuable as KK and Vivi. Both are scoring and rebounding well - especially KK. I am hopeful Nancy will prove to be at least as valuable as they are. Your post seems to indicate you expect her to be somewhat less valuable than either. Your actual words were "I don't think Nancy is going to provide large scoring or rebounding numbers". I guess the word large is subjective, but I would say KK has scored quite well so far.

Truth is I'm going to be disappointed if she (Nancy) doesn't turn out to be even more valuable - if nothing else just due to her height which we have never seen at OU. But I also think she will be able to do some things they cannot do.

That is where we disagree. You seem to be pretty pessimistic about what she will do at OU. And obviously you may be right. If so, I will be the first to post that I'm disappointed and surprised (at least in her last couple of college years).

It appears to me that Gabbi will play with Nancy and Chelsea in 2016 1nd 2017.

Gabbi will play with Nancy, Chelsea, and Ana only in 2017, and it is hard to know how much Ana can do her freshman year. Maybe a lot, maybe just quite a bit.

I do agree with your premise that we need to keep recruiting well over the next few years. We went through some pretty lean years a while back - and no one was more disappointed than I was. Hopefully we can avoid that in the years ahead. But no one (well except UCONN) is able to avoid disappointments over the years.

Baylor had 4 good years when Griner was there. No surprise there. However I do not think Nancy will be as rough and aggressive (breaking other girl's jaws, coming off the bench to fight, knocking folks down from behind - just to be mean, etc.) So she may not look quite as dominate in some ways as Griner did.

 

[sybarite]

Nancy Mulkey showcased her ever-improving skills. On multiple occasions, Mulkey handled the ball up the court and pulled up at the free throw line for a jumper. At 6’9”, Mulkey’s combination of skill and size is impossible to stop at the high school level. Her outstanding touch from the high post is beautiful to watch. Mulkey is also a terrific passer from the high post. She does a terrific job of clogging up the lane on the defensive end and finishing with the defensive rebound.

Like Johnson, we’ve watched 6-9 Nancy Mulkey from way back and have enjoyed seeing the tremendous strides and progress in her game. Bound for Oklahoma and Coach Sherri Coale, Mulkey, from Cypress Woods, has absolutely come into her own over the past two years and improvements at the same pace will have her destined for special things. Because she’s never been considered anything but a low post player, she’s been able to focus and hone the building blocks and skill set that are going to allow her to find out just how far she can take her game. The confidence she plays with now allows her to look for and create her own shots rather than just take the ones that come her way. The jump hook is indefensible and with consistency will be a signature weapon. She shoots with comfort on the perimeter but is judicious in her shot selection. Thursday she appeared to be dealing with back issues and was limited but still offered up some strong moments including some sharp passing from the high post. The defensive end speaks for itself and should showcase her ability to make an impact.

Curiously, these two posts were remitted by skilledserv. They appear to contradict his position. But, they hardly suggest that Nancy will be a failure.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Not trying to argue with you, Norm.

How good players will be when they arrive is hard to predict. I was simply saying I think Nancy will be at least as valuable as KK and Vivi. Both are scoring and rebounding well - especially KK. I am hopeful Nancy will prove to be at least as valuable as they are. Your post seems to indicate you expect her to be somewhat less valuable than either. Your actual words were "I don't think Nancy is going to provide large scoring or rebounding numbers". I guess the word large is subjective, but I would say KK has scored quite well so far.

Truth is I'm going to be disappointed if she (Nancy) doesn't turn out to be even more valuable - if nothing else just due to her height which we have never seen at OU. But I also think she will be able to do some things they cannot do.

That is where we disagree. You seem to be pretty pessimistic about what she will do at OU. And obviously you may be right. If so, I will be the first to post that I'm disappointed and surprised (at least in her last couple of college years).

It appears to me that Gabbi will play with Nancy and Chelsea in 2016 1nd 2017.

Gabbi will play with Nancy, Chelsea, and Ana only in 2017, and it is hard to know how much Ana can do her freshman year. Maybe a lot, maybe just quite a bit.

I do agree with your premise that we need to keep recruiting well over the next few years. We went through some pretty lean years a while back - and no one was more disappointed than I was. Hopefully we can avoid that in the years ahead. But no one (well except UCONN) is able to avoid disappointments over the years.

Baylor had 4 good years when Griner was there. No surprise there. However I do not think Nancy will be as rough and aggressive (breaking other girl's jaws, coming off the bench to fight, knocking folks down from behind - just to be mean, etc.) So she may not look quite as dominate in some ways as Griner did.

Nancy is averaging 11.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 4.2 bpg this year in high school. To me, those are not large numbers for a starting center who is 6'9". The question is, can she do better in college? In case she doesn't is why I said we have to recruit other players who can put up big points and rebounds.

 

[sybarite]

As the joke goes, the only person who could hold Michael Jordan to fewer than twenty points per game was Dean Smith.

Numbers don't always tell the story. There has never been a scoring machine like Wilt. Exactly how many pros have averaged fifty points per game? Yet, while leading the league in scoring and rebounds, he didn't win titles. When he became the defensive specialist for a team with several scorers, they set records for wins and streaks.

If Nancy scores ten points per game and causes the opposition to lose thirty points per game with her defense, isn't that pretty effective? If Nancy passes to wide open players for five to eight assists per game, is that not a contribution to winning?

If you want individual playground players, look to the AAU. If you want titles, look for fits. How many times has a player of Geno's won a statistical award?

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Nancy is averaging 11.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 4.2 bpg this year in high school. To me, those are not large numbers for a starting center who is 6'9". The question is, can she do better in college? In case she doesn't is why I said we have to recruit other players who can put up big points and rebounds.

It has been interesting to watch how she has been used in High School. Clearly her coach believes this approach creates the best way for them to win a championship. This supports Syb's thinking about winning verses personal stats.

The question is will Sherri use a similar strategy? My guess is she will want to get her team on the court to see how they mix before she makes a final decision about that. And perhaps she will have a couple of different schemes that will cause opposing coaches to prepare multiple defenses. It seems like Nancy would be impossible to stop down low with lobs tossed to her. But would it really work that way? Who knows?

But many of us are really excited as we look toward the next few years - including all that is ahead of us this year.

 

[skilledserv]

Nancy is averaging 11.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 4.2 bpg this year in high school. To me, those are not large numbers for a starting center who is 6'9". The question is, can she do better in college? In case she doesn't is why I said we have to recruit other players who can put up big points and rebounds.

Bingo.......her averages should be a lot higher than this and it's funny reading others argue against you. High school basketball for girls is really easy so the numbers should be higher. You remove the 2 guards that Sybarite said weren't good last year and Cy woods is now losing by 20 a few times this year. Nancy is a very good role player and without stars around her the team will struggle.

On another note Patterson scored 46 points against Cy woods last night and was 11 for 13 from the 3 point line.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I would love to watch Patterson, Richards, Morris, etc to play in person. High school basketball is incredible in Texas right now.

 

[ielle]

There's another rumor going around here in Texas that there's a team adidas is trying to put together. It is supposed to have ....Richards, Tatum, Lexi, Vivan, Owens, Amaya, Scott and Williams on it. If this is true, it will be hard for any team to beat them next summer

Yep been stated Shane laftin will be coaching that team.Didi is one that will make it happen.i doubt it tho

 

[j2d2]

Right now, I think (speculate) that Nancy's principle contribution will be defense, but with steadily increasingly effective offense.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Bingo.......her averages should be a lot higher than this and it's funny reading others argue against you. High school basketball for girls is really easy so the numbers should be higher. You remove the 2 guards that Sybarite said weren't good last year and Cy woods is now losing by 20 a few times this year. Nancy is a very good role player and without stars around her the team will struggle.

On another note Patterson scored 46 points against Cy woods last night and was 11 for 13 from the 3 point line.

It is funny how that happens sometimes. A player will hit shot after shot in one game then miss everything in another game. We saw it on the men's side a few days ago when Woodard hit 6 or 7 straight 3 pointers. Simply couldn't miss. It is mostly good fortune if it happens at a time that allows your team to win a key game, but not something you can count on every night. That is why coaches never game plan on a player hitting 85% or so of their 3 point shots.

SS, I understand you don't believe Nancy will be very good in college. We will see. I don't believe Patterson will hit 85% of her 3's on a consistent basis - no matter who she signs with. We will see who is closer to being correct.

 

[skilledserv]

It is funny how that happens sometimes. A player will hit shot after shot in one game then miss everything in another game. We saw it on the men's side a few days ago when Woodard hit 6 or 7 straight 3 pointers. Simply couldn't miss. It is mostly good fortune if it happens at a time that allows your team to win a key game, but not something you can count on every night. That is why coaches never game plan on a player hitting 85% or so of their 3 point shots.

SS, I understand you don't believe Nancy will be very good in college. We will see. I don't believe Patterson will hit 85% of her 3's on a consistent basis - no matter who she signs with. We will see who is closer to being correct.

She's not just a long ball shooter... Earlier this week she had 42 points.....the kid is averaging 20 points a game right now so she's not relying on just the 3 ball. I will say this though, do you want your pg shooting that much and can she play defense?

 

[skilledserv]

Yep been stated Shane laftin will be coaching that team.Didi is one that will make it happen.i doubt it tho

Yes that's the same thing i heard.....heard what they are doing is adding Owens and Didi's trainer as the other assistant coach to help pull them over. I saw the group play in Frisco during the last viewing period this year. They looked great together

 

[SoonerNorm]

It is funny how that happens sometimes. A player will hit shot after shot in one game then miss everything in another game. We saw it on the men's side a few days ago when Woodard hit 6 or 7 straight 3 pointers. Simply couldn't miss. It is mostly good fortune if it happens at a time that allows your team to win a key game, but not something you can count on every night. That is why coaches never game plan on a player hitting 85% or so of their 3 point shots.

SS, I understand you don't believe Nancy will be very good in college. We will see. I don't believe Patterson will hit 85% of her 3's on a consistent basis - no matter who she signs with. We will see who is closer to being correct.

The point is not whether she can shoot 85% from behind the line. The point is, she is a heck of a player who is capable to getting off good shots, filling up a stat sheet, and being a difference maker. We desperately need players who can do that.

 

[sybarite]

I've only seen this girl in brief moments in AAU games and don't have a good picture of her as a result. I do know that OU is recruiting her which means that she must be the real deal. But, what I saw was someone that could not keep a Michigan guard from stealing the ball from her, was probably about one of fifteen from three, lost the ball on the dribble several times, and really wasn't a point guard, unless Aaryn was a PG. She was better when they got behind by about twenty late in the game, and it became a street ball game, she and Joyner Holmes both. I didn't come away thinking that we had to have that girl, on either. But, if Sherri says she can play, Sherri knows guards and knows what she has seen. I haven't formed enough of an opinion to have conjecture at this point.