First three games

[j2d2]

(The board is dead-I've got to post something!)
I'll bet that both Ortiz and EJ play in all three of the first three games. I've got high hopes for EJ. Of the two things we perpetually need most she can furnish rebounding and defense. At least I'm counting on her for them.

 

[Mac]

I think Ortiz, Little, Carter, Kay Kay, and Vivi will start the 1st game of the season.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Gabbi will start all of those games as long as she's healthy. EJ will trail Maddie at the 4, I suspect, and she might be behind Treece as well. Her playing time will depend on her development in comparison with those vying for the position.

 

[SoonerSpock]

I think Ortiz, Little, Carter, Kay Kay, and Vivi will start the 1st game of the season.

Don't see either Kay-Kay or Vivi at the 4. I don't think either can defend adequately at the 4. Also don't see either with the offensive game. Could go to a high low post on offense but do not see that as Sherri's game. More apt to see Maddie starting than the two big girls.

 

[SoonerNorm]

If the reports are true that Treece has become a consistent 3 pt shooter, that probably still keeps her behind Maddie but could give her an advantage over EJ.

 

[SuperHoops]

Treece is out until at least Christmas.

 

[Mac]

I don't think Manning will start the whole season, she's a wing but more of a 3,2,1 then a 2,3,4... I think when we start big 12 play we will have to go big to keep up with other teams...

 

[sybarite]

We do know that Treece is out, and that precludes her from being in the first three games. I think Sherri has referred to Maddie as a point forward and has said that she is working at the four.

Spock makes a point about Kay Kay and Vivi defending the four. I don't know if Treece can. I think Maddie spent some time at every position last year, including post.

There was a trend late last year for Maddie to come off the bench at about two to four minutes, usually for Sharane or Gioya. Once in the game, she remained in the game. She and Gabbi are the ball-handlers, the axles around which the offense revolves. She will be on the floor the majority of the time, starting or not. I suspect as a starter since we don't have a four.

I think it may be:
Kay Kay (Vivi)
Maddie (EJ)
Gioya (Gileysa)
Peyton (Derica)
Gabbi (T'Ona)

That would leave Shaya, McKenna, and LaNesia looking for time where they can get it.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I don't think Manning will start the whole season, she's a wing but more of a 3,2,1 then a 2,3,4... I think when we start big 12 play we will have to go big to keep up with other teams...

I think you are remembering some of the following which we have previously discussed:

1. Maddie has shot the ball well, the problem is, she seldom shoots it.

2. Maddie has not proven that she can defend at a high level. She is a pretty good defender but not great.

3. Too many turnovers

4. Too many fouls.

5. She hasn't proven that she can rebound at a high level.

So, you do have a valid argument for her to come off the bench. Even though it is against my better judgment, I guess I'm somewhat buying into the hype that she will be a much better player this year which is why I am penciling her into the starting lineup. It isn't because of what she has actually done which isn't that impressive.

 

[Mac]

I think you are remembering some of the following which we have previously discussed:

1. Maddie has shot the ball well, the problem is, she seldom shoots it.

2. Maddie has not proven that she can defend at a high level. She is a pretty good defender but not great.

3. Too many turnovers

4. Too many fouls.

5. She hasn't proven that she can rebound at a high level.

So, you do have a valid argument for her to come off the bench. Even though it is against my better judgment, I guess I'm somewhat buying into the hype that she will be a much better player this year which is why I am penciling her into the starting lineup. It isn't because of what she has actually done which isn't that impressive.

Manning reminds me of Caroline Doty who played at Uconn, she was off to a great start as a freshman but injuries set her back. Maddie could get back to the player she was in the Hawaii tournament, but only time will tell...

 

[euphguy]

We do know that Treece is out, and that precludes her from being in the first three games. I think Sherri has referred to Maddie as a point forward and has said that she is working at the four.

Spock makes a point about Kay Kay and Vivi defending the four. I don't know if Treece can. I think Maddie spent some time at every position last year, including post.

There was a trend late last year for Maddie to come off the bench at about two to four minutes, usually for Sharane or Gioya. Once in the game, she remained in the game. She and Gabbi are the ball-handlers, the axles around which the offense revolves. She will be on the floor the majority of the time, starting or not. I suspect as a starter since we don't have a four.

I think it may be:
Kay Kay (Vivi)
Maddie (EJ)
Gioya (Gileysa)
Peyton (Derica)
Gabbi (T'Ona)

That would leave Shaya, McKenna, and LaNesia looking for time where they can get it.

+1. The only change I would make is that Gioya seems to be more of a 2, and Peyton is likely better at the 3, given her size.

 

[Mac]

+1. The only change I would make is that Gioya seems to be more of a 2, and Peyton is likely better at the 3, given her size.

Carters athleticism allows her to play bigger then she is, I think she was more of the 3 last year with Little at the 2, seemed like Little helped bring the ball up some last season. Also I'm not sure Gileysa will beat LaNesia out as a back up, LaNesia started a few games last year.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I think we will see more of Derica than Gileysa.

 

[sybarite]

Carters athleticism allows her to play bigger then she is, I think she was more of the 3 last year with Little at the 2, seemed like Little helped bring the ball up some last season. Also I'm not sure Gileysa will beat LaNesia out as a back up, LaNesia started a few games last year.

At the end of the year, I think Gioya had a little of the same problem that Sharane developed. She could not dribble in traffic, and she lost the ball trying to go between defenders. Peyton did this once or twice, but learned quickly that she couldn't. Peyton became a more reliable ball handler than Gioya.

I think we will have Gabbi, Maddie, T'Ona, and Gileysa doing nearly all of the ball-handling. Gabbi and Maddie have demonstrated that they can dribble against a pressure defense.

Sherri made a comment that things just work better with Gileysa on the floor. I think that is the reason that she used Maddie so much late in the year. When the defense tightens, Gabbi and Maddie could do something. Gioya and Peyton needed someone to set them up. I think Gileysa is another set up person. We have yet to see Gileysa. But, that comment and the earlier comparisons to Stacy suggest that we might see Penzo sooner than later. She made the same comment about Maddie, and Maddie started her fourth game.

 

[jsull2015]

:OU-logo: All coaches like to have that spark off the bench. A player who can kick start the team if they are having problems. Maddie was solid coming off the bench last year and sparked the team with her passing and ball handling and all around gritty play. I expect her to be even better this year. If she does play some four, she can still bring the ball up the court and rotate to the four spot, ie Kevin Durant when he plays some four when the Thunder go small. With Maddie at the 4 she may be at a size disadvantage against some teams under the basket but she will cause some problems by forcing teams to come out on her with a player that she is much quicker than. With her ability to play just about any position she can cause mismatches that can be quickly taken advantage of.
I think that in basketball starting is a little over rated. I think it is more important who finishes and who is in during key moments of the game.
At the rate that Big 12 officials call touch fouls, a team has got to have a deep bench to survive. Just from looking at the post, I noticed that some of you guys say that the Sooners don't have a true power forward. Sherry has had powers forwards in the past that are best around the basket and she has had power forward who can step out and hit the 3 but also with enough muscle to mix it up inside, for example Leah Rush. Just looking at the roster, do we have a player who can fit that role. Maddie may be the closest right now and then Treece when she comes back. If Treece has really developed a good 3 point shot, with her 6-4 height she could really pose some match problems on the wing with teams trying to guard her with shorter wing players.

 

[sybarite]

I don't see playing the four on offense as being that important this year. It may be when Nancy arrives. But Maddie is 6-2 with long arms, probably has the reach of someone 6-4. We have seen Maddie play the post on defense. She doesn't have the weight to play it. But, she has the leaping ability and the basketball smarts. If you look back at some games, she often blocked shots by the opponent's posts or tall forwards. She was third on the team in blocks last year. She had 14 to Kay Kay's 19 and Vivi's 22.

 

[rocjunkie]

The X-factor right now is who were the kids who put the time in the off season to improve their games and weaknesses. There will be some surprises going into the season and early on in the first three games to see who is ready and dependable to start the season. Gabbi is a lock, so is Peyton. I think we will start one post and from what I hear it will probably be Kaylon, with ViVi a very close second and will get plenty of playing time. I just don't see Maddie sitting the bench, she will probably play a hybrid 4 and and be the player we have waited on. The fifth spot will be filled by either Gioya or Derica. That is the word from what has been going on in pre-season work outs. Both kids have been extremely impressive with their work ethic and improvements in their all around games. With just one new player coming in the kids have all worked hard during the off season, some have just risen to the top above others. This will be a very deep bench and practices will be kids pushing each other to be their best at all times. I wish I had the luxury that Sherri has to pick from.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I will be shocked if Derica starts in front of Gioya. Derica has a high basketball IQ but she isn't nearly as athletic as Gioya and cannot create her own shot the way Gioya can. Gioya is also the better defender.

I guess it is possible that Gioya has regressed.

 

[womenssports]

I will be shocked if Derica starts in front of Gioya. Derica has a high basketball IQ but she isn't nearly as athletic as Gioya and cannot create her own shot the way Gioya can. Gioya is also the better defender.

I guess it is possible that Gioya has regressed.

I agree. Believe Gioya will start before Derica. I expect them both to be better
but expect Gioya to be the better player. Gioya did seem to lose her confidence mid-season but I thought she had some better games later. Definitely, in the later games, she had spurts that looked like her play at the beginning of conference play.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I agree. Believe Gioya will start before Derica. I expect them both to be better
but expect Gioya to be the better player. Gioya did seem to lose her confidence mid-season but I thought she had some better games later. Definitely, in the later games, she had spurts that looked like her play at the beginning of conference play.

Gioya did have a slump last year, no question. But, I thought Derica did too. She was not a productive offensive player for most of conference play. We need for both girls to be consistent performers this year. We need Gioya to carry a large part of the scoring load.