2025/2026 Preseason Discussion

It is kind of a boring take…but the key for us taking a big leap forward is Chavez. Does she play at the level the recent consensus #1 player in the recruiting class have played. If she does we take another big step forward.

It is also important that the other young players are ready to play at a high level…we have 9 players that have practiced all summer…so we need all 9 of them ready to play significant minutes vs South Carolina, Texas, LSU, etc.

I am not expecting significant minutes for our 2 international players after missing the summer and having to adjust to American play style…but any good play from them is a bonus.
 
I’m curious how Chavez fits as well. Does she take a lot of shots that aren’t in the flow of the offense or does she let the game come to her?
 
Here is 16 minutes of highlights from a state playoff game for Aaliyah in a game she dominated and scored 50. Gives you an idea of how she can create her own shot and score efficiently

 
Soonerguy06 said:
what are you all most looking forward to? I'm excited to see how the younger players do. 2 open spots in the starting lineup, IMO, and they'll most likely go to Chavez and Vann, but I believe Lofton, Stewart and Smith have potential to see significant minutes. I'm most intrigued about Stewart and Smith. Is Stewart any good and able to contribute down low when Beers needs a break? Has Caya Smith improved and how good is she going to be? I know she's an exceptional athlete, so really hoping to see that she put in some work in the offseason. High expectations for Chavez, of course. Can't wait!
Click to expand...
Lineup

Locks are the 4 McDonald's All-Americans:
Beers
Verhulst
Williams
Chavez

5th Spot up for grabs:
Stewart

Bench:
Vann
Lofton
Culliton
Smith
Cissoko
Tolan


My Prediction
Team is in way better shape and way more athletic than last season which improves the defense drastically. Lofton, Smith & Stewart have been better than expected. This team looks way different than what we've seen the past few years. Aaliyah's ability to pass in this offense vs. what we had the last 4 years will be the true difference maker. Yes, her ability to score off the bounce, hit 3's and be a true scoring threat at the 1, makes us really tough to defend. The most impactful area will be the turnovers per game will reduce significantly under a Chavez led offense as teams will no longer be able to "Sag" off the point. Big early season wins will have us Top 5 before conference play. (UCLA, OSU, FSU, NC State)

LSU, South Carolina & Tennessee all come to Norman this year.

This will be a special season. Lofton/Stewart will be in the running for the All Freshman team. Smith will be playing much more than last season and will be a major boost on the defensive end. Vann will compete for 6th player of the year...a major scoring threat and impact player early off the bench has always been a major component to JB lead teams.

It will be a very difficult year for all the Negative Nancys on this board as they will be so sad the team is in the top 10 all year. Yet, they will still find something to complain about.
 
Soonercuda said:
It is kind of a boring take…but the key for us taking a big leap forward is Chavez. Does she play at the level the recent consensus #1 player in the recruiting class have played. If she does we take another big step forward.

It is also important that the other young players are ready to play at a high level…we have 9 players that have practiced all summer…so we need all 9 of them ready to play significant minutes vs South Carolina, Texas, LSU, etc.

I am not expecting significant minutes for our 2 international players after missing the summer and having to adjust to American play style…but any good play from them is a bonus.
Click to expand...
I disagree… Chavez can’t just be on her own here taking a big leap for us, its a team sport, not a 1 player effort taking a leap for this team this season.. we are very limited. We have too at least have more then just Chavez taking a leap forward. Especially with our roster being much smaller this coming season. Aaliyah is the last person im worried about. She stays in the gym working on her skills. Its the others that make me a little nervous.

I do know Brooklyn and Keziah will make a impact immediately.. Especially from what Jennie said in her interview recently. Im hoping Caya also makes a impact this coming season as well. I am honestly banking on our whole roster to take a big leap this coming season, Not just 1 player.

We know Zya will make a impact, she did last year but will she be better this coming season? I would think so!

My starting lineup prediction:

1. Chavez
2. Verhulst
3. S. Williams
4. Steward
5. Beers

First off the bench:

Zya
Keziah
Caya
Beatrice

I do think Brooklyn will be starting for us at the 4 spot for us unless something changes. So yes I personally think 2 freshman’s are starting for Oklahoma this coming season.
 
I don't think Brooklyn will start to begin the season, I believe Vann will be that 5th starter (assuming Chavez is the other to take that other spot); but you never know, if Brooklyn is really that good and she replaces one of last year's starters or Vann then we'll have a pretty tall starting lineup for the first time in a while.

What does everyone think about the 2 international girls? I really hope they can truly contribute off the bench, otherwise they're just bodies that'll end up transferring out after a season due to little PT, IMO anyway. Hope that's not the case though. My prediction is this upcoming season will be the best we have had since our last final four trip in 2010!
 
we usually have our schedule out by now. Wonder what the hold up is.
 
I know they're working on setting up and home-and-home with UCLA, who also hasn't released their schedule. I wonder if that's the hold up.
 
Lots of cupcakes on the home non-conference schedule. NC State and possibly Belmont should be the only decent games. Very disapointing for a team with this many returnees.
 
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