OU at TCU

[sybarite]

Suddenly, this game takes on a new importance as TCU rises to third in the conference. They were 8-3 in non-conference play, beating SMU (realtimerpi 196) for their best win. They lost to Georgia, Colorado State, and Texas A&M before opening the conference play with a 37-52 loss at Texas Tech. After that loss, I had, for the most part, ignored TCU. Now, they have won three in a row, against Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and at Kansas. They entered last night with the lowest realtimerpi of any Big Twelve team. So much for that.

TCU is third in the conference in scoring and fourth in scoring margin. They rank above us in both free throw percentage and field goal percentage, although not by much (427 to 425) in field goal percentage. They are dead last in the conference in field goal percentage defense. Apparently, they are no a good rebounding team, and they are dead last in the conference in blocks. They lead the conference in steals and turnover margin. They have made 25 threes, whereas we have made 21 in conference play.

Scoring:
3. Zahna Medley (Jr) 15.5
6. Veja Hamilton (Jr) 15.3
7. Chelsea Prince (Sr) 14.8
26. Danielle Breaux (Sr) 9.0

Danielle Breaux is also #16 in rebounding.

Veja Hamilton is third and Chelsea Prince is fifth in field goal percentage. Zahna Medley is thirteenth. Zahna Medley is third in assists. She is also fourth in free throw percentage.

Natalie Ventress and Chelsea are tied for tenth in three point percentage with 353 each.

Veja Hamilton and Jada Butts are tied for fifteenth in offensive rebounds with 7. Danielle Breaux is tied for ninth with nineteen defense rebounds.

Roster:

http://www.gofrogs.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/tcu-w-baskbl-mtt.html

Starters:
G 5-6 Zahna Medley Jr
F 5-11 Chelsea Prince, Jr
G 5-10 Danielle Breaux Sr
G/F 5-10 Veja Hamilton, Jr
G 5-10 Natalie Ventress, Sr

G 5-10 AJ Alix, Fr
G/F 5-10 Jada Butts, Soph

Veja Hamilton doesn't shoot threes. Other than that, all of the starters tend to shoot over 40%, hit their free throws, and rebound a little. Prince is the most active, but she is also the most foul prone.

 

[sybarite]

Teams that beat TCU seem to hold down their shooting percentage. I think that Iowa State shot over fifty percent, but permitted TCU to do the same. Texas Tech won by dominating the inside against a shorter team.

TCU does hang tough on the boards, although not being more than average, despite their lack of height. Apparently, they press the entire game. I haven't seen them. If we can get the ball up court against their press, Kay Kay should have a field day.

 

[O-State2009]

TCU plays 5 people who handle the ball and look to drive to the basket. They are a tough matchup for the traditional PF and C. OSU tried zone and TCU shot them right out of it.

If your team is good at defending the dribble drive, you will probably be able to come out of the game with a win. Unfortunately, OSU is not good at that aspect of defense yet.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I read somewhere that TCU overcame the big lead Iowa State had by pressing aggressively on defense in the second half. That win should have gotten our attention.

 

[soonerstar]

TCU and OU may be the 2 biggest surprises so far in the conference. No, let me amend that. I think the biggest shocker to me is West Virginia starting 0-4 in the Big 12.

 

[sybarite]

I must admit that I am not shocked by anything in the conference thus far, primarily because I had no idea what to expect. Coming into conference play, my thoughts were:

1. Texas looks very good (still may if they get their guards back)
2. WV sure was blasted by Ohio State.
3. OU is way too young, but they have played about as well as anyone other than Baylor and Texas.
4. Baylor seemed exposed at guard by Kentucky. No Sims.
5. Everyone else in the conference had played almost nobody, and it was impossible to get a read on them. I think that is true about most teams across the country.

 

[SoonerNorm]

TCU and OU may be the 2 biggest surprises so far in the conference. No, let me amend that. I think the biggest shocker to me is West Virginia starting 0-4 in the Big 12.

I agree about WVU. I expected them to be tough. So far they have had a disappointing start in conference.

 

[mgood1]

I don't know if they suddenly woke up and got better, or if other teams have been taking them too lightly.

Tech fans saw the B12 season opener against TCU as the one game where the Lady Raiders might actually be favored, if only slightly and if only because it was in Lubbock. This was our best, and possibly only, chance to improve upon last year's 0-18 conference season. Some of us were looking at the possibility of splitting with the Frogs and losing every other game for a 1-17 season. Better than last year, but not much. This was a "must win." I'm not sure how the players thought of the game, but they came out like they meant business.

Since then, TCU has rattled off three wins, one against a ranked opponent, to the surprise of just about everyone in the Big 12.

I don't know what to think of them.
(I did pick OU to win this game, so don't let me down )

 

[SoonerNorm]

Good for Tech! Great program that I would like to see return to its glory days.

 

[sybarite]

It is becoming difficult to tell the Big Twelve coaches without a scorecard. I loved Sherri's comments that she coached against Raegan Pebley----when she was at Colorado as a player. I guess that can make you feel old. Pebley does bring a lot to the table, and she may bring TCU into prominence. She may be one of the better of the new Big Twelve coaches.

 

[sybarite]

My biggest concern about TCU. We didn't handle Plum, South Florida, or Kentucky very well. Battle, Plum, and Holmes got to the basket too easily. we didn't even handle the Texas press well at first. The good news is that we learned.