Look at OU's record against OU's top WBB rival Baylor and Kim for the period 2000-2019. Sherri trails only 20-23. Much more than acceptable. However when you look at the record in more depth Sherri's record against Kim 2000-2010 was 19-6 and Sherri won 10 regular season and conference championships while going to 3 Final Fours plus a Sweet 16. Since our Final Four in 2010 (2011-2019) our record against Baylor is 1-17 and we have won zero conference championships and had only 2 Sweet 16 appearances. By 5 year increments the records are 9-2, 8-4, 2-8 and 1-9. I see a trend and a red flag there.
Exactly. Data/receipts don't lie. And when I've stated that I saw this day coming, it's not because I have a genie in a bottle. It's based on what I've been told about any number of factors that will affect productivity and the overall success of the team. The 2002 FF appearance was a different era and style of play. OU had just what they needed that season to meet that style of play and get to the FF, along with a great NCAA bracket. They matched up very well until of course UCONN. They could have done the same in 2006, but SC chose to go with senior players versus the best match-ups. AND based on the bracket and match-ups, it was a great chance to win the NC.
SC didn't even believe the Paris twins were going to OU. They knew that Cal was a 15 minute drive from their home and where they usually went to camps and to see college games. Cal lost their opportunity when the new AD did not extend the current coach's contract. They also knew the twins and EArriaran wanted to play together. Smart recruits look at rosters and potential incoming recruits to help make the decision as to where to attend. They realize that it is about relationships and chemistry; ultimately how they are going to perform on the court. They want like minded, winner mentality type teammates and believe that other winners will follow. It's not rocket science. The coaches that are consistently in the top 25 reload each year; some better than others. But they reload and maintain winning seasons. SC is the only one I've seen that does not want them. How is it that BGrinner never had an official visit to OU and she named CParis as her favorite college player? A coach with an ounce of recruiting ability should have at least gotten her to the campus and offered. And for all of the BGriner haters...if she had been blowing out baylor while in an OU uniform, everyone would have been jumping for joy and talking about her sexuality choices have nothing to do with her as a person and student-athlete. Even the holiest of rollers would have been cheering and praying that she'd see the light and change her ways off the court. Just real talk! But again...how did OU not recruit her and expect to compete. Mulkey loves that she's kicking OU's butt because she remembers those years when her teams were getting whooped on by OU. That seems like 100 years ago...it's been so long.
And it's about experience in big game situations. That's exactly how the 2010 FF occurred. It's been said/rumored (and I say that because I didn't hear it directly...however the person that told me knew first hand) that SC didn't believe the 2010 team would have a winning season, but they were determined to prove her wrong. And they were good enough to do it because of experience, chemistry and they had enough skill to go with their determination.
Bottom line...and for whatever reason...top recruits who wanted to attend OU were not welcomed or offered. Some were not even recruited and others were recruited but SC declined. You need skilled players that have a determination to work hard and win to be able to get deep into the tournament each year. You have to constantly reload and strategically plan to always have experience players and some leaders. They also need development and great coaching, something that has been absent at OU. Coaches also need big game experience and need to know how to adjust in game time situations. There is no reason why they should not have won the 2009 game against Louisville. SC was simply out coached. Walz adjusted. He had a five minute strategy, a two minute strategy and a final shot clock strategy.
I could care less about someone's opinion that "I hate SC". I don't KNOW her. Furthermore, hate is a strong word. Yes, I hate it that a team I've supported does not have great leadership. But hating people is not a part of me. And I've said in the past that she had some great attributes; community service, fundraising and other stuff like the writing in journals. X's and O's...not so much. And junior...Lord help him! And for the 100th time, the nepotism is just wrong.
When the've gotten some decent recruits in these later years, many of them leave. Did we forget that CWalker fiasco? She left before she got there. There's just too much happening with recruits. And it ultimately affects productivity.
