W Virginia at Baylor

[Sweetest OU Girl]

This has been a good game to watch. It is tied 58-58 with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Some pretty obvious takeaways:

1. Baylor needs to invest in better satellite communication equipment.
2. Nina Davis has major trouble creating any kind of shot. She is good at sitting near the basket and getting it fed for a quick shot, but cannot score much any other way. She has scored very little tonight.
3. Jones is having a pretty good game.
4. You do not want to play Baylor if Brian Enterline is officiating. It is a problem - and is obvious. Is he perhaps intimated by Mulkey?
5. We will have problems with West Virginia.

 

[SoonerNorm]

It appears Davis is in a slump right now. We know what that's like when a starter can't make baskets.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Wish this game was on in Tulsa.

 

[Mac]

It's staring to seem like Davis is just an undersized rebounded, yes she has a lot of heart, but her offensive game is lacking...

 

[sybarite]

Let's ask a question. Do Mompremier and Brown conflict with Davis. They take up room in which she has always been free to operate. She's always been there on putbacks and breaks, but not as a face up player.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Let's ask a question. Do Mompremier and Brown conflict with Davis. They take up room in which she has always been free to operate. She's always been there on putbacks and breaks, but not as a face up player.

As I watched her tonight I was struck with the sense that she is simply not a great player. She is a system player who needs carefully designed situations to be able to score much. Just does not appear to be a great basketball player. She is a pretty good player - if she is in the right situation.

I believe the two freshmen have been slipped into her slot and can score some - obviously diminishing her impact on the game.

At the same time, BU is struggling some - so perhaps Mulkey will redesign things to put her back in the "mop up" situation she has occupied in the past.

It looks to me like we will have our hands full with WV.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Have y'all forgotten that Baylor beat us and Davis had 24 points and 9 rebounds? SMH

 

[MsProudSooner]

Have y'all forgotten that Baylor beat us and Davis had 24 points and 9 rebounds? SMH

Just a guess, but I think their comments were based on more than just our game.

 

[Mark]

Have y'all forgotten that Baylor beat us and Davis had 24 points and 9 rebounds? SMH

can't have it both ways if Davis is a system player than Mulkey has a hell of a system. But then again she's not that good of a coach lol

 

[35TangoTango]

This year Davis spends a lot of time at the 3, which is not her natural position. She's much more effective at the 4.

 

[SoonerSpock]

This year Davis spends a lot of time at the 3, which is not her natural position. She's much more effective at the 4.

You hit the nail on the head. She is definitely playing out of position based on her past. Obviously Kim thinks it is best for the team. Time will tell.

 

[SoonerNorm]

can't have it both ways if Davis is a system player than Mulkey has a hell of a system. But then again she's not that good of a coach lol

Exactly!

 

[giraffespots]

Have y'all forgotten that Baylor beat us and Davis had 24 points and 9 rebounds? SMH

Which says more about us than about Baylor, perhaps??

 

[SoonerNorm]

Which says more about us than about Baylor, perhaps??

Good point! We still haven't beaten a top 20 team yet which means that we still don't know just how good we are. About the time we think we're getting better, we struggle in various ways. For an experienced group we have not been consistent. I am reminded that in 2006 we went 16-0 in conference play. We just expected to play well and we did. We need for this group to develop that kind of killer instinct and start dominating opponents.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

can't have it both ways if Davis is a system player than Mulkey has a hell of a system. But then again she's not that good of a coach

I'm surprised you are suggesting Mulkey is not a good coach. She is very good at X & O coaching. I think you are the first person who has suggested otherwise.

That is why I think it is possible she will put Nina back in the 4 position so she can "mop up" missed shots as she has done so effectively in the past. She has shown tremendous capability at being able to do that - even though she is not very tall. The thing working against a change at this point is the fact that the two inside players are getting better all the time, although still playing like Freshmen part of the time.

What has happened to her play is another example of how just "points scored" is not a very good way to evaluate "best player" comparisons.

And yes, Mulkey is a system coach. And she has shown willingness to adapt the system to fit the players she has. Think about how much differently they play now than when Griner was on the floor.

But BU is struggling compared to the past. They lost to OSU and came very close to losing to WV - on BU's home court. They shot 15 more free throws than WV and won by just 6.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Good point! We still haven't beaten a top 20 team yet which means that we still don't know just how good we are. About the time we think we're getting better, we struggle in various ways. For an experienced group we have not been consistent. I am reminded that in 2006 we went 16-0 in conference play. We just expected to play well and we did. We need for this group to develop that kind of killer instinct and start dominating opponents.

You're right, Norm. We have been very inconsistent so far. I mean wow! We lost - at home - to NT. But comparison to 2006 is a bit unfair. We don't have a Courtney Paris - nor does anyone else.

 

[got mulk??]

Nina is playing a new position this year on the wing in which she has very little experience and she hasn't figured out how to adjust yet. Also WV, has an amazing defense that reminds me of A&M that is very lengthy and all in your face. They will finish near the top of conference by the end of the season. Our opponents gameplan is to shut down Davis and make someone else beat you. Nina will find a way to contribute and adapt to her new role. That is what GREAT players do!