West Virginia, 1/8 3:00 PM

[sybarite]

13-2, currently #17 AP, #16 Coaches (we are #20 and #24)

Starters:
5-10 Soph G Tynice Martin 18.36 ppg, 3.79 reb,
5-8 Jr G Chania Ray 9.50 ppg, 4.14 reb, 6.14 assists/game
6-1 Jr F Teana Muldrow 14.36 ppg, 7.71 reb, 39.39% from three
6-3 Jr F Kristina King 11.21 ppg, 6.21 reb, 58.72 FG%
6-5 Sr C Lanay Montgomery 11.79 ppg, 9.86 reb, 74.19 FG%, 48 blocks

5-9 Soph G Alexis Brewer 6.58 ppg, 2.83 reb
5-9 Soph G Katrina Pardee 6.92 ppg, 2.38 reb, actually starts over King
6-1 Sr F Desiree Rhodes 1.36 ppg, 3.93 reb

The team shoots 47.98% from the field, 33.94% from three, 68.91% from the line. Their opponents shoot only 31.00% from the field, 25.56% from three. They outscore their opponents: 81.29 to 51.93, almost 30 ppg. They outrebound their opponents: 45.50 to 33.36.
WV A/T: 246/226 = 1.09 Opponents A/T: 112/262 = 0.43
WV leads their opponents in steals: 145 to 115.
WV leads in blocks: 102 to 25

WV has dominated its opposition---until it ran into Kansas State on the road and Baylor at home. But, it had really played about the softest schedule around. It's big wins were over Auburn, 56-52 in Savannah, and Mississippi, 66-61 in Morgantown.

This will be another test for Nancy since Lanay has been a thorn in our sides due to her 6-5. Nancy struggled a bit against Breana Lewis, as a lot of good players do. It will be interesting to see how rapidly she learns when facing the top centers in the nation, a lot of whom are in the Big Twelve.

A curious fact, after the Kansas State game, Peyton leads Maddie on the season scoring chart by one point. But, Maddie leads Peyton in conference play by one point.

This has become a must-win for WV if they want to contend for the top three spots. They have to have this win at home. Losing twice at home and beginning 1-3 would be a tough nut to overcome.

 

[sybarite]

3-0 14-1 Baylor +1 road win over WV
3-0 12-3 Oklahoma +1 road win over Kansas
3-0 9-4 Texas +2 road wins at Kansas , Iowa State
2-1 12-2 Oklahoma State +1 road win over TCU
2-1 10-4 Texas Tech even
1-2 13-2 West Virginia even road win at TCU, home loss to Baylor
1-2 11-4 Kansas State even
0-3 9-5 Iowa State -1 home loss to Texas
0-3 8-6 TCU -2 home losses to Oklahoma State and West Virginia
0-3 6-8 Kansas -2 home losses to Oklahoma and Texas

 

[sybarite]

Saturday: 1/7

Baylor (3-0)
Oklahoma State (2-1)

TCU (0-3)
Texas (3-0)

Texas Tech (2-1)
Kansas State (1-2)


Sunday: 1/8

Kansas (0-3)
Iowa State (0-3)

Oklahoma (3-0)
West Virginia (1-2)

 

[sybarite]

1/5 Rpi of teams relevant to OU:

6. Baylor
12. Kansas State
16. Oklahoma State
17. Kentucky
19. Texas Tech
21. Oklahoma
27. California
28. Texas
48. South Dakota State
69. Ark--Little Rock
74. West Virginia
83. Oral Roberts
90. BYU
103. Iowa State
110. Xavier
119. Kansas
121. Colorado State
143. TCU
172. Tulsa
201. Southern Illinois
228. Tex-Rio Grande Valley
248. Portland State

 

[Pike Pastor]

Just watched Sherri on OU Sooner Sports Talk...great explanation of how Gabbi played herself back into the starting lineup-- very proud of her performance at TCU "(Gabbi's) best performance as a teammate... the bigger the shot, the more she steps up"... Heaped lots of praise on Maddie-- performance, toughness, leadership. Talked about she is developing a rhythm for using Nancy until she tires and gets moved off the block. then inserts Vivi, whom no one can move!
Expressed pride in how OU stepped up against the KSU "bigs"... Knows that
Playing at WVU will be very tough..."Mike will be in a bad mood... he doesn't like to lose at home...he'll have his team playing like a bunch of wild rattlesnakes!"
Then pivoted to throwing bouquets at Nancy-- SC marvels at how rapidly Mulkey is improving and her poise and grace AND how well Vivi is settling into her role...Finished up talking about POW Peyton Lewis " Stew is the Energizer Bunny who will NEVER ask to sit or rest...". Sherri thrives on this format-- fluid, honest, passionate about OU WBB.

 

[Sooners4Life0101]

This game is a bad matchup for us. Our ball handlers are going to need to be under control if we are to survive in WV. I expect something similar to Cal- athletes on the chase. Can we be second half OU?

Kstate can slow them down.
Baylor is just that much better.

This will be a tough game at their house in that crappy gym. We will see what happens.

 

[sybarite]

Sherri indicated that we were cautiously optimistic. Last year in Norman, we won 57-54:

http://www.soonersports.com/pdf9/4409519.pdf

Peyton went off for 23. Gioya had twelve. Vivi and KK had 8 each. Maddie didn't even suit up.

We held Lanay to four. Muldrow hit us for 16 with Martin and Morton at ten. Bria Holmes had 12. The key was that they only shot 5 of 24 from three for 20.8%.

They had more rebounds: 41-33. But, they also had more turnovers: 31-21. They had ten blocks to our one.

Then, they won at WV, 63-55.

http://ouhoops.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=563227

We were 0-17 from three---not one three-point shot. Maddie didn't score. Peyton had 14, Gioya 10, TT 11. They shut down KK and Vivi for nine points total and three rebounds total. Our two posts combined for three rebounds!!

Both teams shot about 36%. But, they were 5 of 11 from three. They committed more fouls, but they also had more free throws: 18 of 27 vs 11 of 16. They won rebounds, 44-39. Both teams had 19 turnovers.

We took two of three from WV the year before, winning in Dallas. Maddie actually had a good game in Dallas.

I doubt that Maddie disappears against WV, and I think that may be our key. I think they will be solid at the three point line, and we will need to hit some jump shots or work for layups.

WV needs to get to the free throw line in order to win.

 

[Mac]

This would be a big win for the team... looks like Little has a few family members who made the trip all the way from Texas, she could come out and have a strong showing, that's just what the team needs...

 

[inoref]

Some ugly basketball being played by both teams right now.

 

[Mac]

We have serious issues at the point guard position... Ortiz is a Limited score , and Edwards is still out of control.

 

[Sooners4Life0101]

ugh.

We look terrible right now. Bad forced shots.

Move the ball and Stop throwing it to them and we'd be up by 8!

Were the better team, I am not at all impressed w/ them. We gave them that quarter.

 

[inoref]

We could get blown out here if WVU doesn't cool off some.

 

[Pike Pastor]

That was a timely TO... WV was getting into a good flow kicking off to the shooter on the left wing... Nancy clearly tired... D-up, Sonners!

 

[Oliver Hardy]

This is as bad as Oral Roberts. We are scared, weak and Maddie and Peyton disappear, once again, in a big game.


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[Sooners4Life0101]

This is as bad as Oral Roberts. We are scared, weak and Maddie and Peyton disappear, once again, in a big game.


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We don't have a Point that can get them the ball is the real issue.

 

[Pike Pastor]

Bless her heart, Carter is snakebit...And the Sonners canNOT find the handle today-- lots of TO...

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Gabbi is trying, but when she's the best player on the floor for us, we are dead meat. And I say that not to demean Gabbi but the rest of the team.


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[inoref]

I wonder if OU coaches watched some of these girls in high school, or is it just some bad habits/play that they picked up while at OU? I think OU needs to look at recruiting with some different eyes....someone that can judge talent or lack of.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

We can still win this game. Press, move, fight, get tough on D. People on here were saying WV hadn't played anyone tough. We need to be combative and determined.


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[inoref]

We can still win this game. Press, move, fight, get tough on D. People on here were saying WV hadn't played anyone tough. We need to be combative and determined.


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sure we can..plenty of time left. WVU must play not so good in the 2nd half for a chance