Our Team

[SoonerinNC]

I think we are going to be better than last year. We are more experienced but I think we have the potential to be a lot better. We have the following challenges.

1) Rebounding -- We don't block out. Maddie and Vivi do at times but usually we have a few players taking rebounding positions but opponents run right by us to grab a lot of rebounds. A team that rushes the offensive boards like West Virginia will give us a hard time unless we do a better job of blocking out. Also it seems at times that we don't have that many players trying to get defensive rebounds.

2) Outside shooting. We are supposed to have good outside shooters but only Wyatt and to a lesser extent Little are consistent from behind the arc.. Gabbi coming along but at times we clank a few long ones and then we start turning down shots and mess around until we turn it over. We seem to be getting open more for treys this year but we have to maintain our confidence and take the open shots we can hit. Sometimes our bad stretches start with a quick shot that misses badly.

3) We have some great runs but also have some really bad stretches such as the long stretch without a field goal against Oklahoma City. Usually as against OC there are a lot of turnovers and quick outside shots, many not in good rhythm that don't fall and several missed layups. Also forcing plays instead of letting the game come to us. Against Oklahoma City it may have been a little bit about personnel. Gabbi was out a good part of the stretch and Derica also have very few minutes.

Not trying to be a downer. I hope we have a great year. We have a lot of good pieces of the puzzle this year and it will be a challenge for Sherri to develop consistent rotations that are the most productive.

 

[rocjunkie]

I think we are going to be better than last year. We are more experienced but I think we have the potential to be a lot better. We have the following challenges.

1) Rebounding -- We don't block out. Maddie and Vivi do at times but usually we have a few players taking rebounding positions but opponents run right by us to grab a lot of rebounds. A team that rushes the offensive boards like West Virginia will give us a hard time unless we do a better job of blocking out. Also it seems at times that we don't have that many players trying to get defensive rebounds.

2) Outside shooting. We are supposed to have good outside shooters but only Wyatt and to a lesser extent Little are consistent from behind the arc.. Gabbi coming along but at times we clank a few long ones and then we start turning down shots and mess around until we turn it over. We seem to be getting open more for treys this year but we have to maintain our confidence and take the open shots we can hit. Sometimes our bad stretches start with a quick shot that misses badly.

3) We have some great runs but also have some really bad stretches such as the long stretch without a field goal against Oklahoma City. Usually as against OC there are a lot of turnovers and quick outside shots, many not in good rhythm that don't fall and several missed layups. Also forcing plays instead of letting the game come to us. Against Oklahoma City it may have been a little bit about personnel. Gabbi was out a good part of the stretch and Derica also have very few minutes.

Not trying to be a downer. I hope we have a great year. We have a lot of good pieces of the puzzle this year and it will be a challenge for Sherri to develop consistent rotations that are the most productive.

Agreed. When we are good, we are really good. When we are bad, it gets ugly. We need to keep our intensity for 40 mins and not take stretches off. If we can become consistent and limit those stretches, this team can go a long way.

 

[sybarite]

I don't think we can make much of the exhibition games. I am a bit curious about some remarks that Sherri has made relative to what I saw in the two games. The only player that Sherri spoke about regarding significant improvement from last year was T'Ona, and I, frankly, didn't see it.

I see a core of four players who do something to remain on the floor: Vivi, Maddie, Peyton, and Gabbi. Vivi seems to have progressed, except that she became frustrated against OCU. She does seem to have made some progress in confidence and attitude. She is a player.

I think it is interesting that Maddie was voted as the Coach in the Player's Poll. I think she also led in Trash-Talking (unanimous vote) and got a couple of votes for Best Athlete. Gabbi's remarks were interesting in that she said that Maddie has the best court vision and awareness. It seemed to me that Maddie tried to get everyone involved. In both games, she hit a couple of shots early, and I don't think they passed the ball to her after that. She does rebound and play defense. But, we don't seem to play well if she is not on the floor. Maddie is two of three from three, and six of twelve overall.

Peyton hasn't shown shooting ability from the three yet, and she really is only about a thirty percent shooter. But, I found it interesting that she had learned to make a little fifteen foot runner/jumper which expands her options. Last year, she was pretty solid on defense with some rebounding. Haven't seen that yet.

Gabbi has been a pleasant surprise. I was a little concerned after last year. She seems to have regained her strength. I was not aware that she had been hampered by a hip injury last year. She has taken charge quite well, and she is also our best at the line. Due to determination, she can rebound.

Then, we have some decisions. I have not been impressed by Gioya yet. She seemed to approach the year with a renewed energy and excitement. Thus far, she is making a lot of mistakes on offense and defense, and she isn't effective on the boards. She gets in position, but doesn't reach for the ball. Her shot is erratic. She does some things that make you remember what she has done, only to make a mistake. A senior shouldn't be so inconsistent.

Chelsea has been good. She gets to the rim, and she has demonstrated that she can hit the three (2 of 4), and she is six of ten from the field. We can use that type of offensive help, and she may end up as a starter. I would say that she is a threat to both Peyton and Gioya right now.

I think Nancy will figure into whatever we do. She has the skills. We just have to figure out how to use them. People don't like to shoot around her.

Penzo has made a lot of progress, and she may have made the most progress that I have seen. She does good things and makes very few mistakes. She is one of one from the field, and three of four from the line. She has about five assists, two steals, and one turnover. What's not to like?

Derica has shown that she can still shoot. She doesn't do much else. But, she can still hit the three.

I like what I have seen of Ijeoma. We don't see much of her. But, she does some good things---blocks shots, rebounds, made a quick bucket on a nice assist by Penzo. I think she has surpassed Treece and Kellogg.

T'Ona still does some things well. Just don't shoot. Quit driving to the lane and getting stripped. She sometimes scores on that. But, she also gets surrounded in traffic with no exit. If she gets stopped, she almost always loses it.

LaNesia plays well in the running game. In a set, she just doesn't seem to have a game.

Treece and Kellogg just haven't made any progress that I can see.

 

[Sooner Cal]

Not a lot to disagree with. I thought we were undisciplined in the exhibition games. Maybe that's the way they took it, exhibition rather than competition. That led to too many unforced errors.
Edwards - hustled, played aggressive, wish she was a better shooter.
Wyatt - sneaky on defense as well as her 3 point shot.
Gabby - can play better and needs to for us to succeed.
Maddie - getting her shots from her best spots was a great idea. Good that she's driving the lane less often.
Vivi - OCU game was the worst I've seen her. She just wasn't into it. That happens, she'll do fine.
Carter - I wonder if Sherri is asking her to play a bigger role in the offense. I thought she over did it making some very low probability of success choices.
Peyton - I can't figure it out.
Ijeoma - we need a strong forward, I hope she comes on as the season progresses.
Nancy - potential as a defenders and shot blocker. On offense, the team doesn't use her. Just throw the ball high to her.
Chelsea - will progress as she gets more time.
Lanesia - I agree, at her best in motion.

Team issues - inconsistency caused in part by excessive substituting. Exhibitions are to see kids in action, but consequence is no rhythm established.

Wooden would say they dribble too much

 

[SoonerinNC]

Good analysis.

I also have less enthusiasm for Edwards. She is flashy at times and I think Sherri has a little bias for the flashy. That may be the reason for the consistent high turnovers. Possibly the ladies try to do too much because they know Sherri likes high risk and flashy plays.

Edwards looks great at times but makes a lot of mistakes. Carter looks brilliant at times but also makes too many mistakes for a senior.

I am suprised a some of the things Wyatt does like a steal or tough rebound at times. She should be in the game when we go on those bad streaks.

Gabbi is a ton better than last year. She needs to be in the game along with Maddie and ViVi a lot.

I think the new offense is better. More movement and more good dishes off penetration. They need to get the ball inside to Mulkey more. All the have to do is get the ball up high.