bluesooner17
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What to watch when Oklahoma women play the Junkanoo Jam
It won’t be easy, but Oklahoma women’s basketball has a chance at two quality wins this week coming off its first loss of the season.
The Sooners (2-1) play UAB on Thursday to open the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas, followed by a game Friday against either Clemson or No. 11 Tennessee.
Here are four things to watch for this week in the Bahamas:
1. Shaina Pellington’s rebound: The sophomore guard will score a lot this season, but she’s coming off a rare cold night.
Pellington was 3 of 11 from the field and 0 for 1 from 3-point range for seven points in OU’s 87-70 loss at No. 17 South Florida last week. OU needs her firing on all cylinders with fellow guard Ana Llanusa sidelined following foot surgery.
Pellington’s comfortable being a highvolume shooter, but is being relied upon more this season than last.
“It’s right up her alley,” OU coach Sherri Coale said. “The more [shots] the better.”
2. Defense: It was an offseason emphasis, but through three games the Sooners have struggled defending, allowing 75.3 points per game and 39 percent field-goal shooting — both rank last among Big 12 teams.
OU was let down by defense at South Florida, trailing just 58-54 after three quarters before allowing 29 points in the final period. South Florida was 10 of 12 from the field (83 percent) down the stretch, including 4 of 5 makes behind the arc.
3. Ball handling: With seven freshmen on the roster — four of whom are guards — and Llanusa out of the backcourt for the time being, the Sooners lack experienced ball handlers.
That has translated into miscues. OU has committed 75 turnovers through three games, or 25 per contest.
Taking care of the ball will be imperative to getting a victory this week.
4. New production: Despite a learning curve, the newcomers are making a big difference, with three averaging in double figures.
Taylor Robertson (20.7 ppg) is OU’s second-leading scorer and has been much needed with Llanusa out. Madi Williams (12.7 ppg) leads the Sooners with 12.3 rebounds per game.
Westmoore product Jessi Murcer (14.5 ppg) has been consistent in two games as well, after sitting out the opener.
“I love coaching kids who want to learn, and these seven [freshmen] really want to learn,” Coale said. “It has been so much fun being in the gym with them. They’re curious, they’re not afraid to be exposed and try something and fail miserably at it. They’re able to laugh at themselves a little bit then come back and fix it. It’s a process that really helps us grow.”
It won’t be easy, but Oklahoma women’s basketball has a chance at two quality wins this week coming off its first loss of the season.
The Sooners (2-1) play UAB on Thursday to open the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas, followed by a game Friday against either Clemson or No. 11 Tennessee.
Here are four things to watch for this week in the Bahamas:
1. Shaina Pellington’s rebound: The sophomore guard will score a lot this season, but she’s coming off a rare cold night.
Pellington was 3 of 11 from the field and 0 for 1 from 3-point range for seven points in OU’s 87-70 loss at No. 17 South Florida last week. OU needs her firing on all cylinders with fellow guard Ana Llanusa sidelined following foot surgery.
Pellington’s comfortable being a highvolume shooter, but is being relied upon more this season than last.
“It’s right up her alley,” OU coach Sherri Coale said. “The more [shots] the better.”
2. Defense: It was an offseason emphasis, but through three games the Sooners have struggled defending, allowing 75.3 points per game and 39 percent field-goal shooting — both rank last among Big 12 teams.
OU was let down by defense at South Florida, trailing just 58-54 after three quarters before allowing 29 points in the final period. South Florida was 10 of 12 from the field (83 percent) down the stretch, including 4 of 5 makes behind the arc.
3. Ball handling: With seven freshmen on the roster — four of whom are guards — and Llanusa out of the backcourt for the time being, the Sooners lack experienced ball handlers.
That has translated into miscues. OU has committed 75 turnovers through three games, or 25 per contest.
Taking care of the ball will be imperative to getting a victory this week.
4. New production: Despite a learning curve, the newcomers are making a big difference, with three averaging in double figures.
Taylor Robertson (20.7 ppg) is OU’s second-leading scorer and has been much needed with Llanusa out. Madi Williams (12.7 ppg) leads the Sooners with 12.3 rebounds per game.
Westmoore product Jessi Murcer (14.5 ppg) has been consistent in two games as well, after sitting out the opener.
“I love coaching kids who want to learn, and these seven [freshmen] really want to learn,” Coale said. “It has been so much fun being in the gym with them. They’re curious, they’re not afraid to be exposed and try something and fail miserably at it. They’re able to laugh at themselves a little bit then come back and fix it. It’s a process that really helps us grow.”
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