Open Practice 10/21

[Soonercuda]

The team had the annual open practice/team introduction last night. A couple of observations from last night:

Lemons looks to be the primary point guard...she does appear to be bigger and more athletic than Veitenheimer or Murcer. Looks like Veitenheimer will be the backup and Murcer has moved to shooting guard.

Gregory will play a lot and give us much better depth at guard than we had last year.

Robertson can still shoot lights out but is a step slow.

Llanusa is our best overall player.

Scott is still recovering from her ACL surgery last year and is not cleared for full speed practice. She did the drills but didn't play in the 3 on 3 or scrimmage portion. She does appear to be post player and is a wild card for how good we can be this year.

A reasonable expectation for the team is 18-20 wins and the WNIT. Making the NCAA would mean some big leaps by Williams and likely that Scott gets healthy enough to be our primary post player.

 

[SKSooner]

That's too bad Scott still isn't 100%. That's really hard for a young player to come in and be effective right away if they've been hurt. It's hard enough for a young player to be effective when they're healthy.

Any thoughts on Lamkin and Bloom? I was hoping Lamkin had developed some. She showed flashes of brilliance toward the end of last year, but never really sustained periods of such play.

I was hoping Bloom would be dependable and could provide help defending & rebounding. Any observation.

I don't necessarily know the we need dominant low post production in terms of scoring. We just need to be able to defend and rebound on the block. I think we have perimeter players who can score.

I'm encouraged Lemon looks to be the premier point guard. I think she can bring some toughness to the team.

 

[Soonercuda]

That's too bad Scott still isn't 100%. That's really hard for a young player to come in and be effective right away if they've been hurt. It's hard enough for a young player to be effective when they're healthy.

Any thoughts on Lamkin and Bloom? I was hoping Lamkin had developed some. She showed flashes of brilliance toward the end of last year, but never really sustained periods of such play.

I was hoping Bloom would be dependable and could provide help defending & rebounding. Any observation.

I don't necessarily know the we need dominant low post production in terms of scoring. We just need to be able to defend and rebound on the block. I think we have perimeter players who can score.

I'm encouraged Lemon looks to be the premier point guard. I think she can bring some toughness to the team.

First I am a fan not a scout...so recognize I am not an expert. Also this is only from a 90 minute practice so a tiny sample size.

Lampkin looked not much different than last year...as you said she has some ability but isn't consistent. Looks to me that she still has a lot of developing to do.

Bloom is a freshman...some size and skill but not a big minute Power 5 level player at this point. Center continues to be a problem...right now it appears Mandy will be the starter at game 1.

 

[sybarite]

I didn't see this was to be televised until the next morning. I appreciate the reports.

I am disappointed in that I had hoped that Bloom might be a little better prepared, having been here since January.

I never thought Lemon would get the job this quickly.

 

[SKSooner]

I watched the replay on the internet... my thoughts:

The Good!!

1) Robertson is just outstanding. She’s better than last year in many ways. She’s also in better shape. She will never be the most athletic player on the floor but she has trimmed down from a year ago. To me, she looks more athletic than a year ago.

2) Gregory. Love this player. She will be a good one... light years ahead of where most freshman are. She isn’t afraid of anything and will contribute right away.

3) Lemon was definitely a pleasant surprise. She’s very athletic and can get to the rim and make free throws. There’s no question she’s the point guard. This was a great pick up by Sherri with Pellington transferring. She’s very athletic.

4) Madi and Ana look good out there. I think we all know they are capable.

The bad!!

1) Lots of stupid, horrible turnovers. This has to get better. Tatum just seems to lose the basketball too often. The post players seem to panic when pressured. Granted, it got a lot better once they switched to scrimmaging each other instead of the male practice players, but still no excuse for some of the turnovers.

2) Bloom is a project. She brings size and muscle on the block but she will take time to develop. She has a great attitude, though, and you can tell she was a lot more comfortable at the end than the beginning.

3) Tatum struggled a bit. I am not sure she has found her identity or comfort zone yet. Why the silly bounce passes?! I don’t get it. I still believe she will develop - she does a lot of good things but needs to “break away” from freshman habits.

In conclusion:

1) No idea if we are any better defensively. It’s hard to tell this early. I saw a lot of really wide open looks when the male practice players were out there, which was concerning. We have to defend the perimeter better.

2) Roberson, Madi, and Ana are going to be very good, reliable players. Will it be enough? I don’t know.

3) The offensive post play will be non-existent (outside of Madi) unless Scott comes along and is able to score from the low block. Simpson is simply not athletic enough (though a very heady basketball player and a tough, relentless competitor). The question will be whether we can adequately defend in the post or teams with good bigs will just dominate us.

We are a post player away from being a good basketball team. Not sure what we will be without it.

 

[okjim]

I watched the replay on the internet... my thoughts:

The Good!!

1) Robertson is just outstanding. She’s better than last year in many ways. She’s also in better shape. She will never be the most athletic player on the floor but she has trimmed down from a year ago. To me, she looks more athletic than a year ago.

2) Gregory. Love this player. She will be a good one... light years ahead of where most freshman are. She isn’t afraid of anything and will contribute right away.

3) Lemon was definitely a pleasant surprise. She’s very athletic and can get to the rim and make free throws. There’s no question she’s the point guard. This was a great pick up by Sherri with Pellington transferring. She’s very athletic.

4) Madi and Ana look good out there. I think we all know they are capable.

The bad!!

1) Lots of stupid, horrible turnovers. This has to get better. Tatum just seems to lose the basketball too often. The post players seem to panic when pressured. Granted, it got a lot better once they switched to scrimmaging each other instead of the male practice players, but still no excuse for some of the turnovers.

2) Bloom is a project. She brings size and muscle on the block but she will take time to develop. She has a great attitude, though, and you can tell she was a lot more comfortable at the end than the beginning.

3) Tatum struggled a bit. I am not sure she has found her identity or comfort zone yet. Why the silly bounce passes?! I don’t get it. I still believe she will develop - she does a lot of good things but needs to “break away” from freshman habits.

In conclusion:

1) No idea if we are any better defensively. It’s hard to tell this early. I saw a lot of really wide open looks when the male practice players were out there, which was concerning. We have to defend the perimeter better.

2) Roberson, Madi, and Ana are going to be very good, reliable players. Will it be enough? I don’t know.

3) The offensive post play will be non-existent (outside of Madi) unless Scott comes along and is able to score from the low block. Simpson is simply not athletic enough (though a very heady basketball player and a tough, relentless competitor). The question will be whether we can adequately defend in the post or teams with good bigs will just dominate us.

We are a post player away from being a good basketball team. Not sure what we will be without it.

very good

 

[sybarite]

Thanks, sk?

Where did you see it on the internet? I couldn't find it on soonersports.com.

 

[SKSooner]

https://soonersports.com/watch/?Archive=2925&type=Archive

Try that link! Hopefully it works for you.