Caravan

[sybarite]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkLBSLxo5LE[/ame]

For those of you who may not be old enough, Caravan was one of the staples of Sooner Sanctum, the 9-12 programming of the old KNOR in the late fifties and early sixties. I quit listening to Norman radio when it left the air.

The comments of Sherri at the Caravan were rather interesting. She would not specify who she was speaking of, but she expressed elation that the youngsters had grown up so much while she had been in Russia. She would not elaborate on the newcomers, indicating that it would take too much time. But, she said they all brought something that would benefit the team.

It would be appropriate to add that Vegas made some very positive comments about the newcomers, as well as the returnees from the injury list, and suggested that this team would contend for the conference title and go deep into the playoffs.

 

[SoonerNorm]

With Griffin, Aaryn, Kaylon, Sharane, Morgan, Kornet, Maddie, and Portia, I don't see the newbies getting much playing time.

 

[sybarite]

Sherri said they would.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Beware of coachspeak.

 

[sybarite]

If you need rebounders, and you have a couple of potential rebounders coming on board, you might use them.

If you need ball-handlers to beat the press, and you have a ball-handler coming on board, you might want to use her.

If you need scorers, and you have a couple of scorers coming on board, you might want to use them.

If you had all of this already, you would have made the Final Four.

 

[SoonerNorm]

When is the last time you saw Sherri going more than 8-9 deep in conference play? Of course she is going to brag about everyone during a Caravan. Doesn't mean she will play them all.

 

[j2d2]

Sherri has said more than once that she doesnt substitute very well. I think she has made an effort to substitute more freely. Talent may have something to do with it. But, like all coaches, she tends to go with experience.

 

[sybarite]

The number that you use usually tells how many you have confidence in. If we had had Derica, Gioya, or Edwards last year, would we have played Jasmine?

 

[SoonerNorm]

The number that you use usually tells how many you have confidence in. If we had had Derica, Gioya, or Edwards last year, would we have played Jasmine?

Yes. Sherri played Jasmine because she was a senior, worked hard, and she was a pretty good defender. I don't believe any of those freshmen will bring anything to the table we don't already have plus, the upperclassmen have experience. Look at it this way....none will crowd out Aaryn. None will replace Morgan. None will take over for Griffin. None will replace Kaylon (if she's healthy...I heard that she is). None will replace Maddie and none will send Sharane to the bench. So, who are they going to take minutes from?

They will play in games in which Sherri isn't concerned with losing but their time will be VERY limited in close games.

 

[sybarite]

You must be very depressed.

 

[SoonerNorm]

:ez-laugh: Nope, not at all. Just expect the upperclassmen to play well.

Plus, Sherri hasn't changed that part of her coaching in years.

 

[sybarite]

When Sherri specifically says that some of these newcomers will play a lot, you are kind of flying in her face by saying that isn't true. You assume that the Sherri that you think you have seen will remain the Sherri that you think you have seen, without considering that there may be reasons that Sherri has used particular strategies. I think I'd rather take Sherri at her word.

Your assumptions are also somewhat dismissive of our recruits, as though they had nothing to contribute. I might suggest that if we had a recruit that was rated #3 by Prospect Nation, you would probably be certain that we would use her in our rotation. Since none of our prospects are among Prospect Nation's elites, you're kind of making the assumption that they don't bring that much to the table. Sherri is somewhat more intelligent and experienced than whoever makes those judgements for Prospect Nation. I hardly ever see Iowa State's recruits on there either.

Sherri thinks we're going to be thrilled by the newcomers. Since we always seem to have a freshman or two in the mix somewhere, I strongly suspect that we might see it again this year. But, I actually did watch Kellogg and Wyatt play before I decided that they weren't great prospects. Then, I decided that they were pretty good prospects. I tend to think Sherri does know what she is doing, tends to use freshmen, and uses depth when she has it.

I think she has it. She says she does.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Sherri had good things to say about Zander and Jeffcoat too. We know how their playing time turned out.

 

[sybarite]

Sherri had good things to say about Zander and Jeffcoat too. We know how their playing time turned out.

Some kind of fan.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Let's just wait and see what Sherri actually does. We will then know who was right.

 

[35TangoTango]

You all are arguing as if Coach has already made all the decisions about who is going to play how much all during the year. I submit that it depends on who progresses how much. Coach will put the team on the floor that can best win, be they freshmen or Seniors. That you can depend on.

 

[SoonerSpock]

I was visiting today with a former men's basketball player that is close to both the men's and women's program as he tutors for both. He was talking to Yo-Yo who told him Griffin had been busting her butt trying to put weight on and is not up to 180#s. I would think that is an additional 15-20#s.

 

[soonerstar]

Griffin was listed at 178 pounds on last years roster.

 

[SoonerSpock]

Griffin was listed at 178 pounds on last years roster.

Interesting. My bad I also found her weight at 174 for the 2011-12 roster but Soonersports.com archives list the 2013-14 roster when you click on the 2012-13 roster. I would have certainly guessed her weight at about 165.

 

[SoonerShamrock]

I was visiting today with a former men's basketball player that is close to both the men's and women's program as he tutors for both. He was talking to Yo-Yo who told him Griffin had been busting her butt trying to put weight on and is not up to 180#s. I would think that is an additional 15-20#s.

My mind is totally bumfuzzled by the notion that someone has trouble putting on weight! I mean, all I have to do is LOOK at food...