What, if anything, do you think changes?

[Oliver Hardy]

Football is a month away and I'm already thinking about Women's basketball. Never thought I'd say that.

Given my restlessness, and the fact that we pretty much exhausted the Maddie and who's starting thread, I'd like to go in a slightly different direction for a few days.

What, if anything, do you think changes in the program this next season, different offensive philosophy? A more intense defensive effort? Last year Sherri really altered her substitution patterns and that was interesting. Will that be even better?

Do they come in more intense? Is it every minute of Hell on both ends of the floor? Do we develop a killer instinct?

Just anything...let's talk about it. I'm in the mood --- for OU women's basketball.

Penzo, I'm excited about. And the new 4 we have, who's name I forget and I couldn't spell even if I did remember it.

Are we going to be tougher? Will Norm and Syb ever have a friendly conversation? Will Sherri finally break down and go out with me?

 

[bluesooner17]

I am not sure there will be any change on the offensive end as we will always be a guard offense with going to the middle occasionally. I am really hoping the defense gets more intense with the big girls clogging the middle, but only time will tell. With this team defensively it will start in the middle as far as intimidation and rebounding. Without those two not much will change from last year.

 

[sybarite]

In order to anticipate changes, it is really necessary to have an idea of who will develop. If we don't have a reliable interior that can compete with the height of Texas or the quickness of Baylor inside, we will be forced to reduce that part of our game when we play them. We really need for Kay Kay to grow up. But, it would help if Ijeoma, Vivi, and McKenna took over for Kay Kay's weaknesses. If one of them were to become a power rebounder, that changes what we would do.

After a year of working together, I would anticipate that the foursome of Maddie, Peyton, Gabbi, and Gioya will have a lot more motion than we have seen in recent years. Running might be an option. Gabbi and Maddie really push it. The addition of Gileysa to this mix might make it an offense that loves to spread the floor and move.

I think we have more "proven" depth than we have had in recent years. We basically have an idea what about eight players can do right now:
Kay Kay
Vivi
Maddie
Peyton
Gioya
Gabbi
T'Ona
Nicole

We aren't exactly sure what to expect out of Gileysa, McKenna, LaNesia, Ijeoma, Shaya, or Derica.

But, with eight players that we know, we have more people that we are at least comfortable with on the court at the start of the year. Usually, we have about four or five, and we are looking for help. Usually, we are planning on starting someone like Nicole who we probably think of as a role player this year. I can see starting any of the first six that were mentioned.

It was interesting that the USA team used Gabbi as a ball-handler and for her defense. Last year, Gabbi really wasn't our primary ball-handler in late game situations. We tended to use Peyton and Maddie who didn't get trapped and shot free throws well. Gabbi was a part of the rotation, but we were letting Maddie bring the ball up a lot. But, I think we will be a much tougher team on defense, with the possible exception of the interior. Maddie and Peyton are pretty good on defense. Gabbi gets in people's way. Gioya can be solid, if she doesn't foul. Vivi was coming on strong at the end of the year. T'Ona can cause havoc.

We manhandled TCU with defense. They had difficulty keeping the ball out of our hands. What might have been a close game in FW turned into a blowout. I anticipate that defense will be where it starts this year. There may be more of an emphasis on finishing.

When you have experience that you trust, you can turn up the intensity. I expect four quarters of............

 

[j2d2]

I hope that there is an emphasis on defense and rebounding. We have the offense to win games if the defense can get stops. I have high hopes for EJ's defensive and rebounding contributions beginning in February. There are always games when the offense cant get rolling, but even then defense and rebounding can give us a chance to pick it up. Look at what a defensive emphasis did for the men (hint to Sherri).

 

[Oliver Hardy]

I think Sherri may be on the verge of fielding her deepest, best overall team ever next season.

I think she continues to rotate subs in more than ever before and I think she demands stronger defense. I would not be surprised to see her press more because of rule changes and her depth.

I also think he leash gets even tighter.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I don't think Sherri is likely to change her offense, defense, rebounding, tempo, etc.

I do think we will see more consistency from Gioya. I also think Gabbi will be improved. Other than that I really don't we will see much difference from last year.

 

[AustinTXSooner]

I think we might finally have enough depth at post to have a two-post lineup that plays occasionally. We'll still primarily be a four guard lineup. But that would give us the ability to really change things up against certain opponents.

 

[soonermike22]

Another year of emphasis on "up tempo", a lot of early in the year push for quick ball movement and moving without the ball, and getting the ball inside to try to establish an inside presence.
What we stay with depends a lot on who has improved the most, and who "delivers' during games. A leopard, especially a successful one, doesn't change her spots.

 

[rocjunkie]

Don't think there will be much in changes as more improvement on what was started last year. I see Maddie being more comfortable in her role and we will see her going to the rim more. I don't think there are too many teams in the conference that can guard her outside/in. We were a better rebounding team early to mid season, then I thought we became sloppy and didn't do well fundamentally. With competition for playing time between four potential inside people, that will change. Penzo will be the dark horse of this bunch. From talking to some people in the know, she is a wiz with the ball in her hands, but not a real good shooter. We have shooters, she may be the back up to Gabbi when needed. Just have to wait and see. I think the top eight that Syb mentioned is probably right. It will be interesting to see if McKenna and EJ can crack court time, or be mop up duty.

This really should be one of Sherri's best over all teams from top to bottom. We can be an excellent running team, and there shouldn't be any one that can press us. If our defense can come together consistently game after game, we will be hard pressed to beat. I think the real key will be inside defense and rebounding. If that can become a strength, we can compete for a conference championship, if not, we'll have to wait and see.

Will Sherri go out with Ollie....... only if I get to chaperone!!!!!

 

[Stringmusic]

I think we will see more emphasis on the inside game or at least a more balanced offense, with known offensive talent Sherri will drill them on defense and emphasize it - and a more polished team overall - they will look slick and play slick.