OU-Stanford

[SoonerinNC]

Bottom line, Stanford got a lot better shots than us in the second half. Ortiz needs to penetrate harder and kick our for more treys. She backs out after she has penetrated too much.

They did a good job of shutting us down in the second half. We got a look at how much Carter can impact a game but her two first half fouls were not smart.

we have to do a better job of getting Payton open for shots. I think she has to pull up for a mid range jumper more often. Passer off after she is initially open on a drive.

We did miss too many layups but they were defending them pretty good. Very few gimmes. Not so easy to hit a layup under pressure.

I seriously doubt that anyone on our team wasn't trying to win.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Recruiting is the only thing that can get us back to the final four. I hope Cox is the next one who commits to the Sooners.

I don't think next year will be significantly better than this year. Many players regress their sophomore year and then improve their last two. But there are some steps we can take to create a better record which will improve our image and our seeding.

One thing that can make our image better next year is to put together a reasonable non-conference season that allows us to win at about the same pace as everyone else in the conference. One or two hard challenges, one of them at home, plus the rest at home against teams we can expect to compete with. We may well drop to 3rd in the Big-12 next year behind Texas & Baylor. We must have height to compete with Texas on the inside.

But say 10 - 2 nonconference and 13 - 5 in the big-12 makes 23 - 7 overall (maybe 24 - 8 after the Big-12 tournament) and a home court in the NCAA's.

I believe we would have made the sweet 16 with a 4 seed. That was clearly the key for teams like Duke and Stanford. We need that same advantage next year. It will then feel better to the team, coaches, and fans.

 

[BlackwellSooner]

MsProud made a good point earlier upthread:

Have better focus earlier in the year, win some game that we shoud've won, and nail down a 4 seed and ENJOY THE HOME COOKIN' at Lloyd Noble.

We didn't, so we had to play a toughie on their home court, same as the men did last night... difference is, the men played with much more composure, IMO.

We ARE a young team, hopefully we can benefit from this game next year. The future is bright, and we have recruiting help coming in addition.

I just wish that KK had showed up in the first half like she was playing at the end of the second half!

But Syb made a good point in that respect, too: emotions... or another way of saying that KK allowed her emotions to cause her to choke on chip shot layup after chip shot layup in the first half. No telling how much of a first half lead we would have had if she had hit just 50% of her layups.
At first I thought it was because shw was getting mugged by the Stanford players, but there were just a whole bunch of shots that she just hurried, just slung them up there.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Yeah. She was in perfect position for weak side help. She was the only that could stop the layup. The real breakdown was at the top on the pick and roll- Maddie had nothing to do with it.

You are thinking about the wrong play(s). I just went back to look at it again to be sure. Their was no pick & roll. The ball was on the other side of the court for several passes. All the time Maddie is moving into the middle - very slowly - maybe one step every 2 -3 seconds. Finally they just toss it to the corner way behind her - with no OU player on that entire side of the court - and she hits the 3.

Folks this is not just Maddie. We have been guilty of this same thing over - and over - and over - and over - for the past 2 years. It is a terrible plan against teams with good 3 point shooters.

 

[MsProudSooner]

MsProud made a good point earlier upthread:

Have better focus earlier in the year, win some game that we shoud've won, and nail down a 4 seed and ENJOY THE HOME COOKIN' at Lloyd Noble.

We didn't, so we had to play a toughie on their home court, same as the men did last night... difference is, the men played with much more composure, IMO.

We ARE a young team, hopefully we can benefit from this game next year. The future is bright, and we have recruiting help coming in addition.

I just wish that KK had showed up in the first half like she was playing at the end of the second half!

But Syb made a good point in that respect, too: emotions... or another way of saying that KK allowed her emotions to cause her to choke on chip shot layup after chip shot layup in the first half. No telling how much of a first half lead we would have had if she had hit just 50% of her layups.
At first I thought it was because shw was getting mugged by the Stanford players, but there were just a whole bunch of shots that she just hurried, just slung them up there.

Yeah, if it were possible to measure KK's adrenaline early in the game, it was probably off the charts.

 

[Mac]

OU has lost 4 straight tourney games to Stanford now... Over all we have a lot to look forward to. OU is a young team, Ortiz is a good young leader and everyone will be back expect Campbell-Olds. I'd like to see Little get in the gym, she didn't have a good tourney at all, total of what 10 points? She is to voluble to the team to perform like that... Sherri was put in a hard place both games.. little brings so much to the floor but, Sherri really should have pulled her, and played Manning... Kay Kay will be a senior next season there's not reason she should be fouling out of games next year... If Ijeoma Odimgbe is to good to keep off the floor then maybe she will start over Kay Kay or Louis will get the start...

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

MsProud made a good point earlier upthread:

Have better focus earlier in the year, win some game that we shoud've won, and nail down a 4 seed and ENJOY THE HOME COOKIN' at Lloyd Noble.

We didn't, so we had to play a toughie on their home court, same as the men did last night... difference is, the men played with much more composure, IMO.

We ARE a young team, hopefully we can benefit from this game next year. The future is bright, and we have recruiting help coming in addition.

I just wish that KK had showed up in the first half like she was playing at the end of the second half!

But Syb made a good point in that respect, too: emotions... or another way of saying that KK allowed her emotions to cause her to choke on chip shot layup after chip shot layup in the first half. No telling how much of a first half lead we would have had if she had hit just 50% of her layups.
At first I thought it was because shw was getting mugged by the Stanford players, but there were just a whole bunch of shots that she just hurried, just slung them up there.

All good points. And it wasn't just KK missing all the layups - several players did. Here is the problem with talking about emotion from youth.

Gioya is not without tons of games behind her (2 years worth at this point).

Sharane is not without tons of games behind her (4 years worth at this point).

KK is not without tons of games behind her (3 years worth at this point).

Peyton is not without tons of games behind her (2 years worth at this point).

I don't really criticize the players or coaches for this loss. It was too high a hill for a team of this quality to handle. Stanford was almost unbeatable on their home court this year. Just like us. They beat UCONN on that court. We beat Baylor on ours. If we had played them in Norman we likely win and move on - but not on their court.

Yes our bench is young but our starters have quite a bit of experience. We were really good at times this year. If we had gotten to play at home for these first 2 games I'm almost certain we would be in the sweet 16 - and feeling very satisfied at this moment.

We lost that opportunity by playing a non-conference schedule that was more than our younger players (go back and subtract 1 year from the numbers above - they were young when the year started) could handle. The team is still paying for that.

I do wonder if we would have been better if Sherri had just gone with KK as a starter - and as many minutes as possible - from her Freshman year. It certainly would not have cost us anything last year - and maybe she would have been better this year. I like KK. I definitely believe some officials pick on her because they have heard she fouls a lot so they call touch fouls on her that are not called on others. She is forced to simply not guard offensive players due to that.

 

[sybarite]

MsProud made a good point earlier upthread:

Have better focus earlier in the year, win some game that we shoud've won, and nail down a 4 seed and ENJOY THE HOME COOKIN' at Lloyd Noble.

We didn't, so we had to play a toughie on their home court, same as the men did last night... difference is, the men played with much more composure, IMO.

We ARE a young team, hopefully we can benefit from this game next year. The future is bright, and we have recruiting help coming in addition.

I just wish that KK had showed up in the first half like she was playing at the end of the second half!

But Syb made a good point in that respect, too: emotions... or another way of saying that KK allowed her emotions to cause her to choke on chip shot layup after chip shot layup in the first half. No telling how much of a first half lead we would have had if she had hit just 50% of her layups.
At first I thought it was because shw was getting mugged by the Stanford players, but there were just a whole bunch of shots that she just hurried, just slung them up there.

Good stuff. MsProud said it as well, but I didn't read it before the page changed.

I think we saw a team that had not been there before. Yeah, they had been to the NCAAs last year, but lost early, and none of them had much to do with it. This wasn't Vegas' team. This was all about Peyton, Kay Kay, Sharane, Gioya, Gabbi, Vivi, and Maddie. Sharane did her best, but couldn't hit a three. We were lousy from three today. But, we didn't know what to do when adversity presented itself.

I think the announcers made a fairly accurate remark: that Gabbi might well end up being the Big Twelve player of the year and an All-American. They were high on the future of Maddie and Peyton. I was surprised that they knew about Maddie's surgery. But, they are not yet that team.

Next year, we trade Sharane for Ijeoma and have a lot of people improve.

Then, we trade Kay Kay and Nicole for Nancy and Chelsea. I'd make that trade.

But, we keep getting our core more experienced. Seniors really helped Stanford today.

 

[sybarite]

Kay Kay is like the kid who sees the biscuit. You've slapped him on the hand a dozen times for taking the first biscuit. But, he has to reach for it, and he just doesn't seem to remember that you are going to slap his hand. I would give Kay Kay a message that Sherri won't. The first time you reach in for a rebound that is already past you, you will sit two games. She seems hard-headed.

 

[22dupree]

Next season, Maddie and ViVi will be one year further from those ACLs.

Maddie needs to actualize what she can be on this team. She is a matchup nightmare and could provide 12-15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assist every night she plays. I hope continues to mature and get physically stronger/healthier to put her best foot forward consistently as the fifth starter.

In the presser before this game, Sherri spoke at length about ViVi's "old soul". Along with Gabbi, she could provide that competitive toughness and stability we need to win games like tonight's.

Things aren't always gonna go perfectly and when they don't, you've got to have to have that mental focus and consistent effort wearing your uniform. KK has skills - and when she's right, she's can be wonderfully right - but as Syb noted above, she just doesn't seem to be able to resist the inexplicable fouls leading to short minutes situations. Those things makes us less than we could be.

This offseason is key in ViVi getting to that next level physically and also bringing her game and disposition more to the forefront of this team.

 

[REDisbest]

Well CRAP!!!! Had game recorded....just finished.....I'm pissed! WTH???? I had so much confidence for these girls in this game! Wish they had it! They looked literally scared! In reading the comments there is a lot I agree with (and disagree with). I do agree that if KK would have started earlier in the year she could have gotten better through the season and more prepared for this point. I KNEW Peyton would come through after having not so good few games previously....she was DUE! NOPE! Can't blame that on youth. She should be a Junior, right? She has a great shot when no one is on her. When we play good teams and teams that are in her face, it stifles her and she freaks out. Gabbi will be great next year or the next. I mean ALL AMERICAN great! She just has to work through some areas at this level.

We cannot keep saying IF we had home court advantage, blah, blah, blah...... other teams in this tournament did fine playing against teams on their home courts! Sure, it's always better to be on your home court, but you have to be ready ANYWHERE! The championship game wouldn't have been on our home court. For that matter any games worth playing in pre-season most likely wouldn't be on our home court. We need to play the best of the best if at all possible in next years pre season to get themselves ready for next season!!! If we hang with them is all that matters! We have GOT to stop playing the "woe is me....we're not playing at home" crap!

I'm pissed, but I do believe we can be better and ready for next year if we play the toughest pre season out there. If people say it's too hard to keep getting beat and beat and beat and it brings the girls confidence down. Get over it! It will make the wins all the sweeter if you fight like hell for it!

Excuse me while I go puke! S***

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Kay Kay is like the kid who sees the biscuit. You've slapped him on the hand a dozen times for taking the first biscuit. But, he has to reach for it, and he just doesn't seem to remember that you are going to slap his hand. I would give Kay Kay a message that Sherri won't. The first time you reach in for a rebound that is already past you, you will sit two games. She seems hard-headed.

I'm not so sure it is Hard-headedness. I think it is a lack of self discipline. Maybe one more year will help her with that. But lots of her fouls are not called on others. Why is that? I think it is because of reputation.

One famous referee wrote a book and in it he said refs sit around before a game and talk about things and players to watch carefully. Even their bosses (those that assign them to games) sit and do that when they assign them. He admits it is unfair and creates a very unfair situation for those players - but some officials think they can make their "boss" happy for doing what he says to watch for. Since he is a 25 year official, I expect his view is one to consider.

I expect KK is caught up in that.

Today, you had to admire KK. After all the fouls, sitting on the bench for so long, and missing several layups early, she came back the last part of the game and was - by far - our best player - and about the only player who could score. I admired her toughness for doing that. No quit in that girl. She ended up with around 18 points and 9 or 10 rebounds.

No one else did anything like that. Maybe Gabbi in some ways - but not nearly as much.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

As usual after a loss, our players and coaches have more class than our fans.

A very young team learned an important lesson today. It wasn't about defense or offense. It was about the importance of keeping your focus in all your games and getting that top 4 seed so you can play at home. Home cooking is the best cooking.

+1 Thanks.

 

[Sooners4Life0101]

You are thinking about the wrong play(s). I just went back to look at it again to be sure. Their was no pick & roll. The ball was on the other side of the court for several passes. All the time Maddie is moving into the middle - very slowly - maybe one step every 2 -3 seconds. Finally they just toss it to the corner way behind her - with no OU player on that entire side of the court - and she hits the 3.

Folks this is not just Maddie. We have been guilty of this same thing over - and over - and over - and over - for the past 2 years. It is a terrible plan against teams with good 3 point shooters.

Im pretty sure were talking bout the same play... thats where weak side defense is suppose to play so they can step up and help like that- enless they are told to stay on the shooter. Staying on Samuelson, wouldn't be a bad decision but you also give up the easy deuce if thats how u play it. Its all about what you gameplan. but Maddie was in the right position. Im 100% confident cause if Maddie was suppose to stay on the shooter, Im pretty sure she would of got yanked in a heartbeat. lol

 

[Sooners4Life0101]

Kay Kay is like the kid who sees the biscuit. You've slapped him on the hand a dozen times for taking the first biscuit. But, he has to reach for it, and he just doesn't seem to remember that you are going to slap his hand. I would give Kay Kay a message that Sherri won't. The first time you reach in for a rebound that is already past you, you will sit two games. She seems hard-headed.

I think Kk commits fouls cause she needs to work on her conditioning. or that She at least struggles to play at that pace- we need find a way to slow it down for her or she needs to get in better shape. I think Gioya could have some better conditioning too, OR we need to slow it down so they can keep it going.

Thats kinda Oregon football, they could get beefy guys and play tough man ball or build thin guys and play fast. Its all good until you run into a team that can do a little of both.

I think we could play a little slower. Its not like we are great transition team anyways- though we constantly try to push the pace..... We got the players to be a GREAT half court team. But, this is Something not even worth talking about cause if I know Sherri, this idea is not really up for consideration.

 

[inoref]

Stanford pretty much owns OU, no big surprise here.