Syb,
You really make some fine points. I think, however, Morgan has improved her play this year as a decision maker (think fewere turnovers and stupid passes). I lament, though, how she has consistently reduced her number of shots, not only this year but since she was a sophomore.
I am not completely clear on whether you are saying we don't have the players who are floor leaders, that Sherri has had some substandard recruiting years or if there is another position you are taking. You think the talent is there...but...what?
Perhaps you have many opinions that mingle together.
That's what I have. I think Sherri has had some poor analysis of player potential, and, as a result, has had some poor recruiting classes. I think she is a good coach and can coach the crap out of guards.
But I think she and the staff have trouble recruiting and growing bigs. If you think about it, Griffin has grown more than any big since, Ashley. Courtney grew zero, IMO. Abi never had the chance. Cloman, Zander, Jeffcoat -- all busts. Verdict is definitely still out on Kay-Kay.
I lean toward the thinking that our poor recruiting has led us to this point.
I believe Sherri has a narrow mold for a player she will accept and she's simply not willing to go outside of that. When she has, that person hasn't lasted long.
She wants a person of religious, strong moral character. Girls who might not be the best player (although she will certainly take those, if she can get them), but who are willing to go to Bible study every week, will go to class, walk pretty much the straight and narrow, and not make her or the program look bad. Then ability and being a stellar basketball player comes into play.
The times she has let a girl go after one or more chances, it's because they strayed from that rigid criteria.
Now, don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with any of that. I applaud her searching out those types of girls. But that simply isn't women's basketball any longer. You cannot limit yourself and program like that and expect to win the Big Dance.
I also think Sherri is tougher, more unforgiving and demanding than many folks realize. She's a wonderful person, but like any coach, there's a drill sergeant in there that emerges when no one else can see. That may be a part o what is going on.
Wouldn't trade her as a coach, though, except for McGraw or Vandaveer.
But I think most of this tumultuous season is squarely on her shoulders.
I also think she may conduct a thorough self, staff and squad review, maybe more tough than in recent years, after this season is over. I don't have any proof of that other than I think it won't take her as long as it did Stoops to realize a couple of wheels are off track and things need to change.
