I've been able to catch a good chunk of most exhibition games.
My first thought is I don't see this team being that much better than the past couple of years. We just aren't very good defensively, and the offense is streaky. I will say I think this team can be more competitive against some of the best teams, but we're going to need Vivi to be consistent and play a bunch of minutes. Even against inferior D2 schools, I just don't see us dominating any part of the game, which really concerns me. I think we'll be a good team, but we will have some bad performances like last year. I'm very concerned about losing the first game against Belmont. We aren't ready for a team that won 27 games last year and almost beat Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Llunasa will be the best offensive player to put on an OU jersey in a long time. She'll be one of the best. She already has offensive skills that I've not seen an OU guard have in quite some time. Literally, I'm blown away by how physically ready she is to compete at the Division 1 level. Yes, she obviously has a ton of room for improvement, but she's fearless and can shoot. She's going to have more 20+ point performances in the next four years than we can count. A superstar in the making. I was pretty impressed with Dungee last year, but Llunasa runs circles around Dungee.
Gabbi at the 2 is a great move by Sherri. Much needed and gives us a big-time weapon at the 2. I also like the fact Maddi, Gabbi, Shaina, or even Llunasa can bring the ball up the floor in transition. Could help get some easy baskets throughout the year.
Pellington will be a real treasure, as well. I love the pace at which she can play. Eventually, she will find a way to keep it under control, but that is going to take some time. Also, she needs to work on her shot. If she can develop the ability to knock down an open shot, she'll be absolutely impossible to defend because if you have to put a hand in her face, she'll blow right past you. Once her and Vivi can get things figured out, I think you could see a lot of easy baskets for Vivi off of Shaina penetration.
I criticize our defense, but in fairness to anyone playing college basketball in this day in age, I have no idea what is a foul and what is not a foul. Especially in the women's game. There is zero consistency from game-to-game. I cannot imagine having to coach college basketball (men's or women's), because whatever you teach might or might not be the way the game is called.
Having said all of that, I love the freshmen. I really think the Llunasa era could be big-time with some of the talent coming in over the next couple of years. While I am not necessarily sold on this particular team being world-beaters, I do believe the future is bright. I think Sherri has something going with Pellington & Llunasa that differentiates us from competition.Mandy is a heck of a competitor and will find ways to get it done on the floor.
By the end of this season, we will be a lot better, and I have a feeling Llunasa might just be someone you can literally build a team around.
Does anybody else think I'm being too high on Llunasa? I just look into the future, and I can see her throwing up 30+ in some games if she gets hot. I can't say I've ever felt that way about anyone on our roster in a long time.
My first thought is I don't see this team being that much better than the past couple of years. We just aren't very good defensively, and the offense is streaky. I will say I think this team can be more competitive against some of the best teams, but we're going to need Vivi to be consistent and play a bunch of minutes. Even against inferior D2 schools, I just don't see us dominating any part of the game, which really concerns me. I think we'll be a good team, but we will have some bad performances like last year. I'm very concerned about losing the first game against Belmont. We aren't ready for a team that won 27 games last year and almost beat Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Llunasa will be the best offensive player to put on an OU jersey in a long time. She'll be one of the best. She already has offensive skills that I've not seen an OU guard have in quite some time. Literally, I'm blown away by how physically ready she is to compete at the Division 1 level. Yes, she obviously has a ton of room for improvement, but she's fearless and can shoot. She's going to have more 20+ point performances in the next four years than we can count. A superstar in the making. I was pretty impressed with Dungee last year, but Llunasa runs circles around Dungee.
Gabbi at the 2 is a great move by Sherri. Much needed and gives us a big-time weapon at the 2. I also like the fact Maddi, Gabbi, Shaina, or even Llunasa can bring the ball up the floor in transition. Could help get some easy baskets throughout the year.
Pellington will be a real treasure, as well. I love the pace at which she can play. Eventually, she will find a way to keep it under control, but that is going to take some time. Also, she needs to work on her shot. If she can develop the ability to knock down an open shot, she'll be absolutely impossible to defend because if you have to put a hand in her face, she'll blow right past you. Once her and Vivi can get things figured out, I think you could see a lot of easy baskets for Vivi off of Shaina penetration.
I criticize our defense, but in fairness to anyone playing college basketball in this day in age, I have no idea what is a foul and what is not a foul. Especially in the women's game. There is zero consistency from game-to-game. I cannot imagine having to coach college basketball (men's or women's), because whatever you teach might or might not be the way the game is called.
Having said all of that, I love the freshmen. I really think the Llunasa era could be big-time with some of the talent coming in over the next couple of years. While I am not necessarily sold on this particular team being world-beaters, I do believe the future is bright. I think Sherri has something going with Pellington & Llunasa that differentiates us from competition.Mandy is a heck of a competitor and will find ways to get it done on the floor.
By the end of this season, we will be a lot better, and I have a feeling Llunasa might just be someone you can literally build a team around.
Does anybody else think I'm being too high on Llunasa? I just look into the future, and I can see her throwing up 30+ in some games if she gets hot. I can't say I've ever felt that way about anyone on our roster in a long time.
