What can Sherri do?

[SoonerNorm]

Sherri now knows the good and the bad of this team. In fact, anyone on this board can point out both. The question is, what can Sherri do going forward to improve the bad without deducting from the good?

 

[MsProudSooner]

Sherri now knows the good and the bad of this team. In fact, anyone on this board can point out both. The question is, what can Sherri do going forward to improve the bad without deducting from the good?

Continue to have practice and give the young players experience when the opportunity presents itself.

We have had only 4 game. We have some veteran players who aren't hitting the 3's they are capable of hitting and some rookies who have shown extraordinary promise for this early in the year. Practice and experience are the answers to both of these problems.

 

[keysersose]

Hook and Ellenberg are on the floor for almost 40 minutes. So, the over/under would apply to the others. I'm guessing that an analysis would show that with Carter and Williams on the floor (as opposed to Kornet and Griffin) we are way up. Both have a tendency to foul. From the middle of the first half to the middle of the second half we were outscored by almost 30 and outrebounded. When we started our late run Lville had a 44-28 rebounding advantage. By the end of the run we had closed that to about 50-45. So, I conclude that she needs to find a way to get Carter and Williams up to 30 minutes a game.

 

[hawks00]

Hook and Ellenberg are on the floor for almost 40 minutes. So, the over/under would apply to the others. I'm guessing that an analysis would show that with Carter and Williams on the floor (as opposed to Kornet and Griffin) we are way up. Both have a tendency to foul. From the middle of the first half to the middle of the second half we were outscored by almost 30 and outrebounded. When we started our late run Lville had a 44-28 rebounding advantage. By the end of the run we had closed that to about 50-45. So, I conclude that she needs to find a way to get Carter and Williams up to 30 minutes a game.

Actually no you're quite wrong if you look outside of this one game
@OU_WBBall: Crazy stat from OU's three exhibitions...Nicole Kornet averaged -- repeat AVERAGED -- a +40 plus/minus total to lead the #Sooners.

 

[scrybe]

Louisville began its run when Williams and Griffin were both pulled midway through the first half with two fouls each. It became painfully obvious that we were overmatched against their tall, athletic team with our two bigs on the bench.

But Sherri obviously knew what she was doing (despite the fact that I was screaming at my TV for her to get both, or at least one of them back in there). As someone else stated, we were a missed free throw away from winning the game in regulation, and I was both proud and impressed with the way our small/talented team fought back against that tall/talented team.

I hate like heck to lose any game. But what I saw yesterday convinces me that this team – if it can stay healthy – has the stuff to win the Big 12. And with minimal improvement from our young players, we should be a force late in the year and at tournament time.

Kaylon is a beast inside – even though she missed a point-blank layup late in the game that could have also sealed the win. Sharane is one of the top forwards in the league, maybe even the nation. And Kornet is starting to play better and has the potential to be a major contributor (whether at the 3 or the 4). And Gioya Carter is a star in the making. She just gets better and better with each game. Nicole G. had a tough afternoon against Louisville's wide bodies, but I expect her to have a good season and give us valuable minutes, especially when Kaylon is in foul trouble. And, of course, there's Vegas and Morgan; everyone knows what they mean to our team.

Outside of us losing a game we should have won, I couldn't be more pleased with what I've seen so far.

 

[j2d2]

I hope Sherri starts KayKay so she can get the game minutes she lacks. As good as she is, she has very little experience. She needs time on the court!

 

[scrybe]

I hope Sherri starts KayKay so she can get the game minutes she lacks. As good as she is, she has very little experience. She needs time on the court!

I agree that Kaylon needs more minutes (not, necessarily, that she needs to start), but if she continues to get into early foul trouble, she'll continue to spend valuable minutes watching the game from the bench. Hopefully, she'll learn how to avoid fouling as she gains experience.

 

[tycat947]

Louisville began its run when Williams and Griffin were both pulled midway through the first half with two fouls each. It became painfully obvious that we were overmatched against their tall, athletic team with our two bigs on the bench.

But Sherri obviously knew what she was doing (despite the fact that I was screaming at my TV for her to get both, or at least one of them back in there). As someone else stated, we were a missed free throw away from winning the game in regulation, and I was both proud and impressed with the way our small/talented team fought back against that tall/talented team.

I hate like heck to lose any game. But what I saw yesterday convinces me that this team – if it can stay healthy – has the stuff to win the Big 12. And with minimal improvement from our young players, we should be a force late in the year and at tournament time.

Kaylon is a beast inside – even though she missed a point-blank layup late in the game that could have also sealed the win. Sharane is one of the top forwards in the league, maybe even the nation. And Kornet is starting to play better and has the potential to be a major contributor (whether at the 3 or the 4). And Gioya Carter is a star in the making. She just gets better and better with each game. Nicole G. had a tough afternoon against Louisville's wide bodies, but I expect her to have a good season and give us valuable minutes, especially when Kaylon is in foul trouble. And, of course, there's Vegas and Morgan; everyone knows what they mean to our team.

Outside of us losing a game we should have won, I couldn't be more pleased with what I've seen so far.

:clap:clap:clap

 

[SoonerNorm]

Offense- I agree with others who state that Kaylon should start. She may foul out in the first 10 minutes but she would learn to adjust, given experience. I would also start Carter and sit Kornet. I certainly hope Kornet gets it together soon because we need her but right now, she is struggling to the detriment of the team. Carter has improved to the level she deserves to start. I would not play Portia.

Defense- I would use more 1/2 or 3/4 court trapping defense. We held off Louisville for a good time by trapping. We are good at trapping and it is disruptive. I would like to have seen us use it entirely during the overtime last night.

Rebounding- I don't have a clue how much the team spends on rebounding each day in practice but, whatever time it is, I would double it.

It is likely other changes may need to be implemented in the future but these are my thoughts at this time.

 

[Soonercuda]

Offense- I agree with others who state that Kaylon should start. She may foul out in the first 10 minutes but she would learn to adjust, given experience. I would also start Carter and sit Kornet. I certainly hope Kornet gets it together soon because we need her but right now, she is struggling to the detriment of the team. Carter has improved to the level she deserves to start. I would not play Portia.

Defense- I would use more 1/2 or 3/4 court trapping defense. We held off Louisville for a good time by trapping. We are good at trapping and it is disruptive. I would like to have seen us use it entirely during the overtime last night.

Rebounding- I don't have a clue how much the team spends on rebounding each day in practice but, whatever time it is, I would double it.

It is likely other changes may need to be implemented in the future but these are my thoughts at this time.

Typical fan overreaction...the season is a marathon not a sprint. Stay the course and continue to work with the team to improve is what Sherri should do. Biggest thing that can happen for us to improve is simply start making outside shots like we are capable.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Typical fan overreaction...the season is a marathon not a sprint. Stay the course and continue to work with the team to improve is what Sherri should do. Biggest thing that can happen for us to improve is simply start making outside shots like we are capable.

How is Sherri supposed to accomplish that? That is the topic of discussion.

 

[MsProudSooner]

How is Sherri supposed to accomplish that? That is the topic of discussion.

Practice.

 

[Soonercuda]

How is Sherri supposed to accomplish that? That is the topic of discussion.

Stay the course...I have to believe shots will start falling soon; Hook, Campbell and Kornet all made a decent percentage last year. If they aren't falling come January then maybe it is time to rethink the plan. It is 4 games into a season that will be 35+ games...not the time to change your plan because you aren't playing perfect 3 weeks into the season.

 

[scrybe]

Offense- I agree with others who state that Kaylon should start. She may foul out in the first 10 minutes but she would learn to adjust, given experience. I would also start Carter and sit Kornet. I certainly hope Kornet gets it together soon because we need her but right now, she is struggling to the detriment of the team. Carter has improved to the level she deserves to start. I would not play Portia.

Defense- I would use more 1/2 or 3/4 court trapping defense. We held off Louisville for a good time by trapping. We are good at trapping and it is disruptive. I would like to have seen us use it entirely during the overtime last night.

Rebounding- I don't have a clue how much the team spends on rebounding each day in practice but, whatever time it is, I would double it.

It is likely other changes may need to be implemented in the future but these are my thoughts at this time.

Very good points, Norm. Agree with most.

I don't really think we gain that much by having Kaylon start. From what I've seen, she and Nicole G. will both have fouls called against them at a pretty good clip. Their minutes will probably have to be pretty equal in the long run. And remember, we DID jump out to that big lead with Griffin on the floor.

I – maybe even more so than you – am just flat out impressed with Carter. To my eyes, she's the most impressive looking freshman at OU since…well, maybe Courtney Paris. And she keeps getting better with every game. Still, she is fouling out more often than not, which, to me, means you've got to give Kornet a decent share of the minutes. Nicole has a bunch of potential, and I think it will manifest itself soon. Is there any way both could be on the court at the same time?

I agree with pretty much everything else, including your take on Portia. Sherri obviously sees something many of us don't. But she knows way more than I'll ever know, so I'll defer.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Stay the course...I have to believe shots will start falling soon; Hook, Campbell and Kornet all made a decent percentage last year. If they aren't falling come January then maybe it is time to rethink the plan. It is 4 games into a season that will be 35+ games...not the time to change your plan because you aren't playing perfect 3 weeks into the season.

This is the time to experiment and try different player combinations, different defenses, and work on the areas which need improvement such as rebounding.

 

[35TangoTango]

This is the time to experiment and try different player combinations, different defenses, and work on the areas which need improvement such as rebounding.

Agreed -- as long as the team we're facing is a UT Arlington. When we're up against #5 or #2, let's go with what we know best!

 

[sybarite]

Sometimes, A causes B. We have some inexperienced players. They are more likely to let their opponent loose. The opponent then gets to the interior forcing someone from the interior into action resulting in about half the fouls that Griffin and Kay Key get. It will help when everyone learns to stay in front of their opponent. Kay Kay also gets fouls when she loses her opponent, and she reaches around when beaten. Learning better defense will help to keep them on the court.

Sherri said that Griffin had a bad day. Yet, she was on the court when the lead was built. There is more to it than rebounding and scoring. There is also maintaining defensive integrity. Louisville had difficulty getting penetration when we had our bigs on the floor, and Louisville depends on getting to the basket more than we do. They live for layups. They had more difficulty getting inside with Griffin and Kay Kay on the court. It's not all about rebounding. Can we prevent layups?

Kornet was on the court when we built that lead as well. We lost a lot of blocking out when Kornet went out. I think she was 3 of 7 which is good enough to keep her on the floor for the other things that she does. She is working on the boards and is one of those who does block out-----as is Kellogg. Kellogg seems to be one of our more effective people around the boards.

We still have some learning to do. We hurt ourselves yesterday when we lapsed into playground basketball at times. We are good as a team. Louisville had difficulty when we played as a team. When we become impatient, we get into trouble. Don't make it happen. Do the things that enable it to happen naturally. I didn't even see the game, but I heard from Coltan what was making it work, or not. His description matched what was happening on the scoreboard.

Practice. Learn your positions, especially on defense. As we relax, the offense will come. Practice hard. We now have a few games that are not against Louisville.

 

[soonerstar]

I would like to see Wyatt and Kellogg start getting some more minutes when it is feasible. The way the games are being officiated now, we may need them more this season. I agree with Norm about Portia. Can Kellogg play the post as a backup for Griffin and Williams? Wyatt has a nice looking 3 point shot.

 

[Keller Sooner]

Keep working team defense and rebounding. Shooting will come along with this group of kids. They are too good for it not to. Yesterday it really hurt them, 34.7%. If they shoot anywhere near their capability, they would have blown the Cards out of the gym. This team has a very high ceiling. Just keep working hard and I'm sure they will. As others have mentioned, I think Sherri needs to work Shaya into the games more.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I would like to see Wyatt and Kellogg start getting some more minutes when it is feasible. The way the games are being officiated now, we may need them more this season. I agree with Norm about Portia. Can Kellogg play the post as a backup for Griffin and Williams? Wyatt has a nice looking 3 point shot.

I think that is exactly what we will see. I'm sure Sherri would like to see them play more against lesser competition to see how they handle themselves when they aren't under much pressure. Both girls need some experience to gain confidence. Who knows, either one might surprise some people if given the chance.