The mystery of Maddie Manning

[j2d2]

When I first saw her play I thought that she was better than Stacy Dales as a freshman and that we had a world beater. Then a knee. Then another knee. Sherri has said that she could be the best in the Big XII and I believe her. Now, Chris Plank said last night that she has been having a problem with her foot all year. And she takes over the game for a quarter then disappears - except for her passing which borders on the miraculous. I think the reason she hasnt done as well as her ability would justify is between her ears. And I think Sherri hasnt insisted on her doing more - more shooting especially since she is wide open very often. I'm exhausted pulling for her.

 

[atlantasooner]

How about Maddie Maddening.

 

[TheMont]

Here's what Sherri said about Maddie's play in the 2nd half vs Tech last night:
“Her first five minutes were unbelievable. Think about if she did that repeatedly throughout the game. Would she have scored 80? I don’t
know, I’m not very good at math. I mean she scored it all in the first five minutes of the first quarter, and then she took two more shots the
entire game. I think that’s Maddie. I don’t want to take anything away from Texas Tech, but I think that’s Maddie, and we need our scorer.”

I've seen numerous other quotes from Sherri throughout and before saying that Maddie NEEDS to score, this team needs her, she can be the best player in the conference, etc. I fully believe that the entire coaching staff is pushing her to be aggressive offensively and score, and yet sometimes she barely (or, against ISU, never) shoots? Maybe that foot problem is more intense than it seems.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I don't think the foot is an issue as last night she played the most minutes of anyone on the team. What Maddie did last night is just Maddie. She's done the same thing time and time again.

 

[sybarite]

Maddie was four for four from the field in the first three (?) minutes. Then, two things happened. She missed a free throw, and she was injured. The announcer said she seemed to be in a lot of pain. She only shot two times after that.

But, it seemed to be more than just shooting. She didn't have the typical "Maddie night" that has emerged recently. She had one rebound, and she has been the leader in rebounds over the past ten games. She had zero steals and zero blocks (not entirely true since the announcer said she blocked a shot). I think livestats said she had a steal and a block. But, it wasn't the typical six rebounds, two blocks, four assists, and three steals that Maddie has been getting for the past ten games.

Was it the injury? It is curious that I can remember the same type of comments coming from Sherri in the aftermath of the BYU game which started almost exactly the same way. Maddie hit three three-pointers and a layup in the first three minutes. She scored two at the buzzer of the first quarter and two in the second. She got nothing in the second half.

I didn't see the game, but it seemed to me that after Maddie scored eleven points, they didn't pass the ball to her for the rest of the quarter. I don't even remember the announcer mentioning her name.

 

[j2d2]

I find it hard to believe that, if Sherri had a come-to-Jesus- meeting with Maddie that Maddie couldnt be eucerd into shooting more.An arm twisting, butt kicking, desk pounding, in-your-face showdown. Followed by everyone else reinforcing the message, including players. The players need to be reminded to throw her the ball which they sometimes refuse (I said "refuse") to do. What gives?

 

[j2d2]

How about Maddie Maddening.

Well played, Atlanta.

 

[soonerstar]

If a player refuses to pass the ball to Maddie or any open player, bench them and let someone play that will.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I find it hard to believe that, if Sherri had a come-to-Jesus- meeting with Maddie that Maddie couldnt be eucerd into shooting more.An arm twisting, butt kicking, desk pounding, in-your-face showdown. Followed by everyone else reinforcing the message, including players. The players need to be reminded to throw her the ball which they sometimes refuse (I said "refuse") to do. What gives?

I think you're right. I think Maddie will change when Sherri puts her foot down.

 

[Sooner Cal]

Put her foot down? Well, not her style apparently. Silly turnovers game after game, no one gets benched. Not in shape, still start. 2 fouls in 2 minutes, no problem, even if it's the first 2 minutes of the game. Girls make same mistakes game after game. They clearly don't fear being relegated to cheerleader.

 

[35TangoTango]

Think you could do better?

 

[MsProudSooner]

I think you're right. I think Maddie will change when Sherri puts her foot down.

Would you change if someone here put their foot down?

 

[SoonerNorm]

Would you change if someone here put their foot down?

I would if they were my coach.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

It is clear that part of our problem is the play of our guards this year. I imagine all of us expected more from that position this year. It is my hope it is due to a sophomore slump - which is not all that rare in college sports.

When you look at assists in the big-12 for example, Niya Johnson had 138. Rodricka Patton had 131. Our best? TT with only 52. Gabbi was not even listed in the top 15 in the league. That means several teams had 2 players with more assists.

That has a huge impact on the scoring of your other players. We had 2 players who were in the top 6 in FG% for the year. Obviously we needed to be able to get the ball to them more. That comes from a player who sees the floor, doesn't "dribble to distraction", and gets the ball to team mates who are open.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I would if they were my coach.

Is that the mistake Kelvin made with Ebi Ere during his slump his senior year? Did Cousins begin shooting better because Kruger 'put his foot down'?

Statements like that indicate that a coach, any coach, has more control over an individual players game than they actually have. Yes, a coach absolutely controls how many minutes a player plays, but that doesn't necessarily translate into improvement in their game. It might mean an improvement for the team if the person who gets those minutes plays better, but if they don't you don't gain anything.

Every coach has their own philosophy about how to handle players. Some jerk them from a game after one mistake. Others let them play through the mistake and learn on the fly. Some are drill sergeant tough. Some are unfailingly positive and supportive. Each tries to recruit players who will respond best to their philosophy.

Saying that a player would change if a coach just 'put his/her foot down' is remarkably simplistic. I don't believe coaching or people are that simple.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Is that the mistake Kelvin made with Ebi Ere during his slump his senior year? Did Cousins begin shooting better because Kruger 'put his foot down'?

Statements like that indicate that a coach, any coach, has more control over an individual players game than they actually have. Yes, a coach absolutely controls how many minutes a player plays, but that doesn't necessarily translate into improvement in their game. It might mean an improvement for the team if the person who gets those minutes plays better, but if they don't you don't gain anything.

Every coach has their own philosophy about how to handle players. Some jerk them from a game after one mistake. Others let them play through the mistake and learn on the fly. Some are drill sergeant tough. Some are unfailingly positive and supportive. Each tries to recruit players who will respond best to their philosophy.

Saying that a player would change if a coach just 'put his/her foot down' is remarkably simplistic. I don't believe coaching or people are that simple.

We aren't talking about having Maddie do something that is difficult to do. She is capable of making a move and clear space for a good shot...just take the shot!

 

[sybarite]

It should be no secret that Sherri has loved Maddie from the moment that she recruited her because she is a player who can do the types of things that Stacy Dales could do. She can make the great play. She can make the circus pass. She does have great vision.

When Maddie wants to score, she is usually pretty good at it. Has that been the primary instructions, or might the emphasis have been on getting the ball to the post, an aggressive offense? We don't really know what has been emphasized.

We also don't know exactly what Maddie feels. She, while still quite young, tore an ACL. Upon her return, finally having the opportunity to play again, she tore the other ACL. How much physical pain still affects her? How much has the loss of two long years impacted her courage at being aggressive? I have the feeling that she is just beginning to feel comfortable at going all out, without the fear of yet another injury. Then, she injures a foot and is in severe pain (the announcer's words). Does that slow her down?

I hope we get two years of Maddie free of injury. I think they would be remarkable, and we would see things we have not yet seen at OU. But, it takes more than just saying, "you should score more."

 

[Sooners4Life0101]

I don't think there is much of a mystery at all- Her fundmentals just haven't caught up to her Talent level quite yet. Skills take time to develop, thousands of reps and she just hasn't had much time to get those in yet. But make no mistake, this player literally has zero limits- and like I said from the beginning of this season, next year is her year. The way I have heard people talk about her work ethic, I think she is next years Brittany Martin except, I think we'll have it for two seasons.

Off the charts talent, just needs to develop. Next year is the year- though she could take us on a deep run right now.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I don't think there is much of a mystery at all- Her fundmentals just haven't caught up to her Talent level quite yet. Skills take time to develop, thousands of reps and she just hasn't had much time to get those in yet. But make no mistake, this player literally has zero limits- and like I said from the beginning of this season, next year is her year. The way I have heard people talk about her work ethic, I think she is next years Brittany Martin except, I think we'll have it for two seasons.

Off the charts talent, just needs to develop. Next year is the year- though she could take us on a deep run right now.

What fundamentals does she not have to shoot a 15 foot jump shot?

 

[j2d2]

Maddie reminds me of Larry Bird in that she is not quick nor fast but moves efficiently therefore smoothly. I say again that all that is needed is that productivity be demanded of her and that she decide to play hard.