Life without Whitney

[SoonerNorm]

Some of you have expressed opinions that we are going through an adjustment period without Whitney. Someone said no one knows when to move since she was always the first to initiate motion.

As much as I hope all of this is true, I'm not sure that is really the case. When the girls practiced with Whitney, it isn't likely she played with the first team all the time. The other girls would have still been required to run the offense. It seems hard to imagine the other players suddenly can't figure out how to move without Whitney. Why would their feet suddenly freeze up without Whitney on the court? Morgan has been here awhile and as the point guard, she should be directing the offense regardless of who is on the court. Even if movement has slowed down without Whitney, that still doesn't explain away the mediocre defense.

I sure hope this is just a temporary adjustment period but honestly, I don't think we are going to see much improvement until Kornet, Sharane, and Portia start playing better. That seems to be the key to me. I just hope Morgan and Aaryn don't start pressing too hard before those girls improve.

 

[soonerstar]

Very thoughtful post, Norm. I had thew same thoughts myself. Whitney did not play all 40 minutes in the games when she was healthy. Our new starting 5 have all played with Whitney one, two, or 3 years before this year. They have played without her before and not knowing when or where to move sounds fishy to me.

 

[35TangoTango]

...Someone said no one knows when to move since she was always the first to initiate motion.

I don't think that is an accurate statement. Whoever Norm is quoting was either not clear or misinformed. Whitney was not always (or even mostly) the "first to initiate motion" - that would usually be the point guard. What I do recall is hearing Coach say (and I'm paraphrasing) is that Whitney was the bail-out player. If nothing else worked and there were 10 seconds left, you could always give the ball to Whitney and she would make something happen. I watched Aaryn and Morgan each turn the ball over trying to fill that role.

 

[badger]

Whitney was definitely a bail-out player, but she also seemed to be someone that others looked to in order to know where they should be on the court. Whitney's there, so I'm there. It was kind of like the middle linebacker on OU's defense -- we were lost for awhile when Ryan Reynolds went down, because nobody knew where to line up, it seemed.

Even if Whitney wasn't running the offense per se, our production went down, our turnovers went up, and baj's sofa pillows got abused more when Whitney was taking a breather. Sherri would stomp her stilletos around courtside for a few more frustration possessions, then throw her arms in the arm and look at Whitney and be like "Team needs you, I'm so sorry I can't rest you longer"

We really, really need to get these last two non-conference games as confidence boosters. If the men can lose to SFA, though... oh man, what a sh!tty week this would be for OU hoops

 

[Stringmusic]

Whit had been playing a lot of minutes. It was Coach Coale that said, after the Vandy game (loss), that there was far too much standing around waiting for someone, anyone, to make the first cut on offense - and lately it had been Whitney making that first cut to get a play going - Whit always knew exactly where to go - and was the fuse that ignited the offensive play. We need a new fuse. 2 or 3 would be even better.

 

[vested]

Some of you have expressed opinions that we are going through an adjustment period without Whitney. Someone said no one knows when to move since she was always the first to initiate motion.

As much as I hope all of this is true, I'm not sure that is really the case. When the girls practiced with Whitney, it isn't likely she played with the first team all the time. The other girls would have still been required to run the offense. It seems hard to imagine the other players suddenly can't figure out how to move without Whitney. Why would their feet suddenly freeze up without Whitney on the court? Morgan has been here awhile and as the point guard, she should be directing the offense regardless of who is on the court. Even if movement has slowed down without Whitney, that still doesn't explain away the mediocre defense.

I sure hope this is just a temporary adjustment period but honestly, I don't think we are going to see much improvement until Kornet, Sharane, and Portia start playing better. That seems to be the key to me. I just hope Morgan and Aaryn don't start pressing too hard before those girls improve.

Norm,

Thanks for the years of moderation. We haven't seen all things alike but I want to thank the people here and the fan base at OU for their loyalty to the program and their attendance at games. You make it important to play here.

Can' judge former players like you guys can but resist the temptation to judge players on points.

We just lost the best player in the Big 12 and our team will have to make many adjustments to compensate. If you look at the Big12 statistical categories (13) that they track. You will find only one play that is in the top 11 in 10 out of the 13 categories. It it's not Griner (best post) or Sims (best guard) - they are closest with 7-8. It's your player, Whitney Hand. She is the best player in the Big12 that can play with the guards and rebound with the posts, play guard and post defense. Took her teams to 2 Final Fours one as a player and one as a leader/coach after her first ACL.

When you measure importance to a team you have to measure the intangibles for a player as well. Who can guard their best player? Who makes the in-bounds passes now as effectively? Who provides other players with open shots? Who goes and gets the offensive rebounds? who stops the other teams runs? Who calms the troops and runs the plays all the way through so we can get easy baskets?

There is so much to the game that has to be transitioned to others now, it will definitely take time. Please be patient with them.

This will be Whitney's 5th operation from playing basketball for OU. She has given and devoted all she has in a manner that is without comparison and held her love for OU always on her face. A career well played and a talent the Lord will bless beyond OU.

Thanks you so much for making it important to be a player at OU. Her legacy and your fondness for Whitney would not have improved if she played another 100 games.

I am heartbroken for her selfishly, that I will not be able to witness basketball played at a level that coaches marvel at. A selfless level that makes everyone around her a better person and player.

Thank you Whitney for your love for the game and personal sacrifice to always bring your best and playing for the right person. The Lord.

My blessings to all and thank you for making it important.
Vested

 

[SoonerNorm]

Vested, thanks so much for your post. There is no doubt that Whitney will be missed by all of the fans, teammates, and coaches. We could regroup much easier without her if it were not for the loss of Maddie, Kaylon, and Lyndsey as well. Without those four, nothing is likely to come easy to this team the rest of the year.

I certainly wish Whitney the very best in the future and I will always admire her for her talent, leadership, and positive attitude she always displayed on the court. She is a very special young lady.

 

[Stringmusic]

We are not going to be without Whitney. We will see her on the sidelines, probably sitting next to Sherri - telling Sherri things she sees and telling players things she sees the opposition doing - and not doing - as only Whitney can see a lot of such things. As during her last injury/inactive period, she will be an invaluable player coach - and I can chalk up a couple wins to her credit right now just by her participation on the bench.