Ijeoma O

[j2d2]

I'm curious about this girl. Her reputation is that of a rebounder which we always need. Does anyone know when she will be in town? The women's game seems to be getting more physical and more physical and this girl apparently doesnt mind mixing it up. What do we know about her? I have high hopes and expectations for her.
Isnt her nickname EJ?

 

[womenssports]

I'm curious about this girl. Her reputation is that of a rebounder which we always need. Does anyone know when she will be in town? The women's game seems to be getting more physical and more physical and this girl apparently doesnt mind mixing it up. What do we know about her? I have high hopes and expectations for her.
Isnt her nickname EJ?

It's strange because I thought at the college level it had become just a very slight bit less physical in the last couple of years. To me that would be an improvement because really do not like how physical basketball has become at all levels in both the female and male game. Still not disagreeing with you that it is a physical game so being able to hold your own and not shy away from it is an asset.

 

[SoonerNorm]

OU had great success when we were very physical. Leah Rush, Caton Hill, and Courtney Paris could dish it out as well as any player in college basketball. At times, Amanda Thompson fit in that category as well.

I don't know if women's basketball is getting more physical or not but, it is certainly getting a lot more athletic than ever before. It also has more height and length than ever before. This should help OU. A few years ago, you had about 20 recruits each year who could be difference makers. OU has had very limited success signing top 20 players. Today, I would say the top 35-40 players may become difference makers in college. OU has had pretty good success signing players in this range. The key is, identify those players early, build a relationship, and never back off for a minute.

Look at 2016. We have Dungee and Mulkey coming, both highly rated players. In 2017 we have Llanusa coming and she is highly ranked as well. Add those girls with Ortiz and we could be on the road to a few great years. I still think we need a great PF but, I like that foundation.

 

[sybarite]

I don't think basketball is really changing all that much. I think there is more of a need for physicality inside since players are bigger and stronger. But, what was often considered physical, the slapping of wrists to steal the ball, was just a reluctance to call a foul. I think that part is changing somewhat, but not consistently. Some teams get away with it. Some don't.

I don't know that anyone is any more physical than Courtney was. But, there are a lot of players now that are sufficiently athletic or taller than Courtney that she would probably have difficulty scoring 23 points per game. But, I think she still gets a lot of rebounds. In 2000, 6-3 was tall. Now, most teams have several players that tall, and most are more athletic than the tall players of 2000.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Edit to add: Strength is becoming more and more important in women's basketball. If player A and player B are close in talent, the strongest one will have an advantage. We know that every college player is put on a strength and conditioning program. I understand that strength is not stressed in high school the way it is in college. I believe that is one aspect of girls basketball that will be changing over the next 3-4 years.