Playing time

[SoonerNorm]

I'm a bit concerned that some players are playing more than ideal minutes. We need everyone to be fresh in March. I think it would help if Sherri could limit everyone's minutes to about 28-30. Edwards isn't Gabbi but, she can normally play 5 minutes each half to give Gabbi a break and do so adequately. Same for Peyton, Sharane, etc. I also think players can learn by observing the game from the bench which can benefit them when they go back in. I also think fatigue is one factor that causes player mistakes (fouls, turnovers, etc).

 

[sybarite]

I'm not sure on this one. I think that the amount of time designated for each is defined by what they do with the minutes that they have. T'Ona didn't get much of a chance. But, LaNesia got a shot, and didn't do much with it. She had thirteen minutes (Maddie only had 21). McKenna was a bit off, kind of a deer-in-the-headlights type appearance. I don't even remember T'Ona being in the game for her three minutes, and I've watched it twice.

Gioya was MIA. Peyton, Maddie, Gabbi, Vivi, Sharane, and Kay Kay were making some good things happen with their time on the court. They each got a few minutes rest. Gabbi and Peyton were still tough at the end. They played every minute like they wanted to be there.

 

[soonermike22]

I thought Gabbi and Peyton were kept in the game because when they were in, they both did what they were supposed to do very well, and when subbed out, their replacements did not play very well. That sent then right back in. Vivi for Kay Kay, Nicole, Derica, all filled their role well, but we needed Peyton and Gabbi THIS game.
Go with the hot hand, limit time for those not as focused. A good bench allows you to do that. I also don't think high minutes in some or most of the games will wear a 19 or 20 year old out. Practice, travel, and school work have much more effect on tiring them out.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Our ladies must be in great shape because year in and year out several of the starters play closer to 40 minutes than 30 minutes. Sherri likes to play her starters a lot.

It is not just a matter of fatigue. With the number of guard types and our usual lack of size and/or bulk inside we need to play more pressure defense and even more uptempo. When you have players playing 35 plus minutes you can not play that type of game. I still remember the Texas game in Norman several years ago when we lost a game where we had a big lead because our players simply ran out of gas. But by and large Sherri gets away with playing her starters 35+ minutes.

It is also a matter of having established rotations with enough flexibility to adjust to foul problems. Those rotations have to be worked out in practices not on the fly in games. Kruger does a great job with this when he has the depth (which he hasn't had this year). You know that fairly early in the game Lattin will replace Thomas and Walker will replace Woodard with Isaih moving to the point. Then Lattin will stay in and Thomas will replace Spangler. Then Woodard returns to spell Buddy and even Isaih gets some bench time. Booker is slowly working his way into the rotation and Bennett gets some time but doesn't seem to match up well at times and doesn't get a lot of time in some games.

Players play better with players they are used to playing with and players play better when they have an idea when they are going to play. Sherri has a lot of strengths but substitutions and use of her bench is not one of them. Don't get me wrong. I think she is a very good coach. I am glad to see people stop bashing her. Our friend Bay is among the absent while we are doing well but will be back at the next loss taking shots at her again.

And I would use Maddie as backup point rather than Edwards who doesn't hurt us when she is playing but can not create nearly what Maddie does. And I am not basing this on just the Texas game.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I look for Maddie to play positions other than the point so she is free to create without the added pressure of running the offense. Maddie still has plenty to work on right now. The other night she only made one field goal, if I remember correctly. She has only attempted a few 3s. She needs to add a 15 ft jump shot. She had a great night at the line and she made some great passes but she needs to add scoring other than free throws.

 

[scrybe]

Are stats available for the number of minutes each starter played in each game this season?

Edit: Maybe I should ask how many minutes were played by everyone who played in each game.

 

[sybarite]

Are stats available for the number of minutes each starter played in each game this season?

Edit: Maybe I should ask how many minutes were played by everyone who played in each game.

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209740720

Click on cumulative or conference only or on the pdf or html for each game.

 

[sybarite]

I look for Maddie to play positions other than the point so she is free to create without the added pressure of running the offense. Maddie still has plenty to work on right now. The other night she only made one field goal, if I remember correctly. She has only attempted a few 3s. She needs to add a 15 ft jump shot. She had a great night at the line and she made some great passes but she needs to add scoring other than free throws.

I don't know if a different position changes anything for Maddie. She ran the four with Gabbi in the game. But, the game was being run by Maddie from that position because Sherri told her to. Gabbi even waited to give the ball to Maddie to run it.

What is that?----a Point Four?

 

[scrybe]

Thanks, sybarite.

No player has averaged as many as 35 minutes in conference play, though Little (34.2) came close. The others get between 23 and 25, except for Oritz, who averaged 29.8.

I agree, it would probably be a better scenario if all the starters could be limited to no more than 25.

 

[sybarite]

Listening to Sherri on the talk shows (The OU channel on FOX does telecast these, including the ones at the restaurant), I don't remember seeing Sherri this happy with a group of players. She always has kids that she likes. But, I think these players fit Sherri more than most.

When I look at the fire in Maddie, Gabbi, and Peyton, I see what I think Sherri was like as a player, as a kid. I think Sherri was the type of kid who hated to lose and dove after every loose ball. She seems to like Gioya and Kay Kay far more than she has most players that she has had. She always has good things to say about Tiny or Korny. She is thrilled by Vivi.

She appreciates more than their skill set. I think she has players who fit her temperament. She doesn't talk about how many points they scored, but about how many charges they took or how many passes they tipped for which they didn't get credit. She loved what Sharane diid against Texas, and Sharane was mostly about work.

She seems certain that this team will get better. I think it is because she sees herself in these girls.