The New Lineup

[35TangoTango]

There was some discussion in a recent thread (though I can't remember which one) about the possibility of replacing McFarland as a starter. Now we've done that for 3 games by moving Hand into McFarland's 4 position and inserting Manning at the 3.

Seems to be working pretty well. Manning in double figures all 3 games, Hand getting a lot of rebounds, and Joanna seems to be playing with a lot more intensity coming off the bench.

What you guys think?

 

[sybarite]

I am currently at halftime of tonight's replay. I think Maddie may be the player that you have to find a position for. It appears that she just has to be on the floor. When we were stale in the early going, she had three layups, the only one who could hit one, and a couple of steals to go with a couple of rebounds. Others seem to struggle to make a shot. She goes so smoothly to the rim that she just can't seem to be stopped, at least not by this level of talent.

It is stunning to see how much better Jo is in this game than earlier in the year. She is playing solid defense.

I'm a bit surprised at Griffin and Hand who have been somewhat quiet. Vegas has made some errors.

At this point in THIS game, I would say that Maddie looks like the one key player on this team, the player that seems to overcome the lethargy or poor shooting. She seems so effortless. I'm anxious to see her against better teams.

But, I like this starting five. Sharane seems to be the only one off the bench who exhibits the type of consistency that you need. Jasmine can't seem to play offense. It seems to lag when she enters. Kornet isn't looking all that great. Not bad. Just not great. Portia seems to be lost out there. There is some growing up to do. We have five starters, Jo, and Sharane at this point.

 

[Boomer-D]

A lot of us have been calling for a more athletic lineup with Hand at the 4 for years.... glad it's finally happened but Sharane needs a lot more time! She's the type of player that would be starting at A&M and kicking our ass for years. When she's all Big 12 the year she gets starter minutes it will be apparent but a waste by then....

 

[Stringmusic]

I like this starting lineup.

 

[rocjunkie]

Sherri doesn't start freshmen unless they earn their stripes in practice. I really like this line up a lot. We have two slashers to the basket, and all four guards can fill it up from outside. Nicole just gets better each time out, and Jo is playing her best off the bench. We can go 10 deep if we need to, and the combinations on the floor seem to be working out well so far this early in the season. As we move deeper into the season Sherri probably will go to an 8 girl rotation, though all ten could earn playing minutes through improvement on the practice floor.

What really impresses me, is through the three day tournament, the defense really stayed consistent, and the block outs underneath has been much better.

 

[soonerstar]

That would be 4 returning starters for next year, plus Campbell Kornet, and Durrett. I wish we had one more big girl for next year.

 

[SoonerNorm]

That would be 4 returning starters for next year, plus Campbell Kornet, and Durrett. I wish we had one more big girl for next year.

Getting Kaylon back will certainly help, if she's back to 100%.

 

[euphguy]

I really like this starting lineup as well. Part of the reason Whitney may not have been as productive offensively is because of the position switch, but she's the most adept to adjusting than anyone. Kornet and Durrett will be just fine in due time. They have great spirit, work ethic, and talent. They will be ready come Big 12 time, and I really feel our rotation will be solid.

A defensive weapon under-discussed is Jazmine Hartman. Sure, she won't score much, and I doubt her offensive playmaking from the point guard position at times, but she's hands down the best perimeter defender on our team. We missed that last year.

 

[atlantasooner]

35tt,
yep I threw out Manning for McFarland as a wild suggestion.

But as Sybarite indicated in the thread, Manning just needs to start it seems. Too good to keep on the bench.
Starting lineup of

Griffin
Kaylon
Manning
Ellenberg
Hook

seems pretty salty for next year.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

I have been out of pocket with surgery, the holiday and family, but I really like this line-up.

As a previous poster said, a lot of folks have wanted Hand at the 4 for at least the last year and half and, apparently, Sherri has decided she now has the personnel to pull it off.

Not sure I understand what's going on with Sharane, but she is certainly a catalyst for this team whenever she's in -- and I hope she gets some more time.

 

[sybarite]

In three games as a starter, these are Maddie's statistic:

FGA/FG: 19/13
Three PT ATT/ Made: 1/1
FTA/FT: 8/6
REB: OFF/DEF/TOT: 2/13/15
PF: 11
Points: 33
Assists: 8
Turnovers: 9
Blocks: 1
Steals: 5
Minutes: 83

The only two negatives are three turnovers per game, and she needs to shoot more (68.4%).

 

[SoonerNorm]

Maddie will need to develop a 3 point shot to keep defenders honest.

 

[sybarite]

Yeah, 100% will never do.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Yeah, one made 3 pointer is really filling up the basket. She often turns down open 3 point shots.

 

[SoonerShamrock]

Yeah, one made 3 pointer is really filling up the basket. She often turns down open 3 point shots.

So, maybe what she needs to "develop" is confidence in her 3-point shot, as opposed to the ability to make one.

 

[BanjoCharley]

Maddie will need to develop a 3 point shot to keep defenders honest.

Yeh, I keep a salt shaker by my keyboard for some of Norm's posts. How do we know whether she has a three or not?

 

[rocjunkie]

I don't think she has a problem making three's at all, I think she is a very heady freshman, getting the ball to the established "gunners", knowing her time will come. She is so effective slashing and either laying it up or finding the open man, her out side shots will come with time. I'm just enjoying watching her grow right before our eyes. Only 3 games in as a starter and she has gone beyond my wildest dreams for a first year Sooner.

 

[Soonercuda]

Maddie will need to develop a 3 point shot to keep defenders honest.

Norm being negative is just his "Norm". Watch this video and you will see she certainly has developed a 3 point shot (and a shot with very nice form)...as her playing time increases I am sure she will make many more 3s this year.

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=exnPRzD1TI4[/ame]

 

[sybarite]

I don't think she has a problem making three's at all, I think she is a very heady freshman, getting the ball to the established "gunners", knowing her time will come. She is so effective slashing and either laying it up or finding the open man, her out side shots will come with time. I'm just enjoying watching her grow right before our eyes. Only 3 games in as a starter and she has gone beyond my wildest dreams for a first year Sooner.

The difference between the Maddie of the first three games and the Maddie of the last three starts is like watching a raw rookie and a seasoned veteran. I can't believe how much progress that she has made in a couple of weeks. She had all the tools, but didn't seem to know that those tools were good enough without over-playing her hand. When she just settled into doing what she can do almost without effort, it was stunning how easily she settled into the game. It was almost like she got a year's experience in one week and came back as a sophomore starter. I haven't seen them stop anything that she does yet. When she puts the rest of her game in, you wonder if they will be able to stop her. Every game, it seems like she discovers that "hey, this works!" What is her ceiling?

 

[SoonerNorm]

Yeh, I keep a salt shaker by my keyboard for some of Norm's posts. How do we know whether she has a three or not?

If you check the stats you will see she has only attempted one three pointer and she did make it but, that tells me she needs more work in that area or she wouldn't be turning down open threes. Shamrock said it could be confidence and he very well could be right.