What would you change?

[soonermike22]

If I woke up and had control of the program in OU's WBB this is what I would do.

1)Look for an assistant coach that is a defensive coach, is a hard worker and pushes their players. I would move my least able recruiter to something like recruiting coordinator, and start that assistant as soon as I could
2) Emphasize defense in practice every day, push fundamentals even if I have to stop practice every 30 seconds when players don't do the basics.
3) Starters would be those that play hard nose defense, and don't make basic BB mistakes.
-at the point guard-TT followed by Gabbi
-shooting guard-Gioya, Peyton, Derica, and Gabbi most time to Gioya
-small forward-Maddie, with Peyton and Derica subbing
-Power forward-McKenna and EJ with the emphasis on defense, rebounding, and being where you are supposed to be, and limit turnovers-don't shoot often
-Center KK and ViVi, stay with best match up for most of the playing time
-Substitute less, and play those players who play the best defense
-Accept physical mistakes, but demand mental awareness, toughness, and hard nose defense every second they are in the game

Ok guys and gals, rip it up

 

[Larry72]

You are on the right trail.
I do not know the assistants, but defensive talent seems to be lacking:
Quickness, desire, intensity all need to improve

Need to recruit quicker more athletic players

Conditioning could also improve

 

[sybarite]

If I woke up and had control of the program in OU's WBB this is what I would do.

1)Look for an assistant coach that is a defensive coach, is a hard worker and pushes their players. I would move my least able recruiter to something like recruiting coordinator, and start that assistant as soon as I could
2) Emphasize defense in practice every day, push fundamentals even if I have to stop practice every 30 seconds when players don't do the basics.
3) Starters would be those that play hard nose defense, and don't make basic BB mistakes.
-at the point guard-TT followed by Gabbi
-shooting guard-Gioya, Peyton, Derica, and Gabbi most time to Gioya
-small forward-Maddie, with Peyton and Derica subbing
-Power forward-McKenna and EJ with the emphasis on defense, rebounding, and being where you are supposed to be, and limit turnovers-don't shoot often
-Center KK and ViVi, stay with best match up for most of the playing time
-Substitute less, and play those players who play the best defense
-Accept physical mistakes, but demand mental awareness, toughness, and hard nose defense every second they are in the game

Ok guys and gals, rip it up

First, I completely disagree that it is a lack of talent or athleticism. There is a certain lack of depth with players who are ready to contribute, but they could be.

The five: Vivi is now much better against opponents that seem to intimidate Kay Kay. Kay Kay can dominate lesser talent. But, faced with a tall post, she tends to back off and do things differently, as though what she has had work all along won't work against them. Vivi does what Vivi does, and it works. There are no superposts in the Big Twelve. It's OK to start the senior. But, against a Texas, Baylor, or K-State, sub Vivi in at the first sign of intimidation. Vivi is also more disciplined. Tell her not to foul while blocking shots, and she probably won't. She is learning on the job, and it is working.

The four: I'm sorry, but McKenna, for whom I had high hopes, is not ready to play. She passes horribly into turnovers. She will shoot horribly off balance shots. She has stopped hitting. She is totally lost on defense. She also seems to have no knowledge of what blocking out means. I think EJ has already passed her on defense, and is almost her equal on offense, despite limited time. At least, EJ seems to be in defensive and rebounding position. But, your only four that is ready to play is Maddie. Maddie is not hitting like she has in prior years, but she has learned how to do a lot of things that make her presence a necessity. She is our best passer by far (especially if we begin to look at her when she throws it under the basket). She is a good shotblocker and rebounder.

The three: problem. Peyton is in a horrible slump that has affected her mentally. We have no other three unless we make Gioya into a three.

The two: Gioya is coming around to what she was at her best. Derica makes far too many mistakes. Reminds me of the old John McGraw joke about why he wasn't playing a 400 hitting rookie---because he also fields 400. Derica fields 400.

Point: T'Ona. She offers almost no offense, and sometimes the offense becomes motionless with her on the floor. But, she doesn't constantly throw horrible passes. dribble it off her foot, or let someone take it from behind. Gabbi does this at least twice per game. She doesn't play defense. T'Ona is a defensive threat, and she and Maddie are the only players we have who are a threat on the defensive end right now. Vivi can be at times.

 

[j2d2]

Get two new assistant coaches. One who can teach defense and is permitted to do so. An offensive coach who would teach pull up jumpers, faking shots, following shots, screening and rebounding.

 

[Soonerbay]

Get two new assistant coaches. One who can teach defense and is permitted to do so. An offensive coach who would teach pull up jumpers, faking shots, following shots, screening and rebounding.

+1

AND those new assistants have to be able to RECRUIT. Oh...I forgot. "Permitted to do so" is the key. :facepalm

 

[Soonerbay]

Duplicate

 

[SoonerinNC]

I'm always puzzled to see how much fans seem to know about what happens in practice and on the recruiting trails when no one that I know of sees the practices and other than football and maybe mens basketball we seldom know who is being recruited until a commitment is announced.

If Sherri is not working on defense and rebounding and trying to correct mistakes then she is a very bad coach which most of us know she is not. If you have ever coached a real team you know that you try to work on things in every practice to keep the team sharp.

As for recruiting, we have a McD all-american coming in with another a year from signing. I have seen several of Llanusa's games this year and she is clearly a possibility for McD aa. She has really rounded out her offensive game. I keep waiting for more in the Llanusa class and I doubt that many of you have a clue who will be added.

Having said that I am troubled by the inconsistency and the underperformance of this team at times. Ortiz had a good freshman year and started for a national team in the summer and has been woeful at times. Little hits 20 points in a half and doesn't even score the next game. KK dominates in one game and can't hit a layup the next game. We play good defense in one game and allow open drives to the hoop and three point shots in the next. K-State was getting open shots all over the place and we were forcing everything.

Just when I am ready to give up on this team they play a great game and when I think we are coming on they play a stinker. We are supposed to have all of these great three point shooters but are barely hitting 30% and are very average compared to the rest of the conference. This is the second of the last three years that we have underachieved. Even though we pick up some national recruits I am troubled with our lack of dominance of our own territory (Oklahoma and north Texas). Improved with Mulkey, Dungee and Llanusa, but we need more.

 

[Soonerbay]

It's going to take more than picking up nationally ranked players and McD's AA's. It's going to take more than just being 6'7" plus. I know alot of tall people that can't play worth a lick...on scholarship.

What OU has not recruited (lately) is players with heart, desire, passion...to excel and win. Experience is always the best teacher...the reason the 2010 team was able to turn around and get back to the final four. But we ran out of enough players to get us back...players with experience and heart, passion...

I've concluded that OU is satisfied with mediocrity because they are not doing anything about it, it seems.

What would I change? Glad you asked!
1. Have SC go out with a big bang this year...HOF and all, then assign her to an administrative position (i.e. Jodi Conradt). Fans have waited long enough. We're now down in the bottom tier...Tier 1)UCONN Tier 2)About 10 teams Tier3)Everybody else.
2. Hire the BEST possible head coach available/willing to come with the stipulation that their assistants MUST have a proven track record with recruiting.
3.Bring basketball camps back to OU in the summer! What college doesn't have a camp? There is time and space for a "coaches clinic" and not a student-athlete clinic? Are we recruiting high school coaches or student-athletes? Just saying...
4. Develop a strategic recruiting, coaching and marketing plan to bring a FF team back to OU...then go out and recruit and do it. REAL players don't care about snow, rural areas, tornadoes, social/economic area, etc. Women players with heart want to pursue a degree (for the most part), play hoops and WIN. UCONN has players from all across the country. No excuses!
5. Act like SC created it all so that Syb will not have to go on life support.

 

[soonerstar]

It's going to take more than picking up nationally ranked players and McD's AA's. It's going to take more than just being 6'7" plus. I know alot of tall people that can't play worth a lick...on scholarship.

What OU has not recruited (lately) is players with heart, desire, passion...to excel and win. Experience is always the best teacher...the reason the 2010 team was able to turn around and get back to the final four. But we ran out of enough players to get us back...players with experience and heart, passion...

I've concluded that OU is satisfied with mediocrity because they are not doing anything about it, it seems.

What would I change? Glad you asked!
1. Have SC go out with a big bang this year...HOF and all, then assign her to an administrative position (i.e. Jodi Conradt). Fans have waited long enough. We're now down in the bottom tier...Tier 1)UCONN Tier 2)About 10 teams Tier3)Everybody else.
2. Hire the BEST possible head coach available/willing to come with the stipulation that their assistants MUST have a proven track record with recruiting.
3.Bring basketball camps back to OU in the summer! What college doesn't have a camp? There is time and space for a "coaches clinic" and not a student-athlete clinic? Are we recruiting high school coaches or student-athletes? Just saying...
4. Develop a strategic recruiting, coaching and marketing plan to bring a FF team back to OU...then go out and recruit and do it. REAL players don't care about snow, rural areas, tornadoes, social/economic area, etc. Women players with heart want to pursue a degree (for the most part), play hoops and WIN. UCONN has players from all across the country. No excuses!
5. Act like SC created it all so that Syb will not have to go on life support.

Great post . All true statements.

 

[sybarite]

I'm always puzzled to see how much fans seem to know about what happens in practice and on the recruiting trails when no one that I know of sees the practices and other than football and maybe mens basketball we seldom know who is being recruited until a commitment is announced.

If Sherri is not working on defense and rebounding and trying to correct mistakes then she is a very bad coach which most of us know she is not. If you have ever coached a real team you know that you try to work on things in every practice to keep the team sharp.

As for recruiting, we have a McD all-american coming in with another a year from signing. I have seen several of Llanusa's games this year and she is clearly a possibility for McD aa. She has really rounded out her offensive game. I keep waiting for more in the Llanusa class and I doubt that many of you have a clue who will be added.

Having said that I am troubled by the inconsistency and the underperformance of this team at times. Ortiz had a good freshman year and started for a national team in the summer and has been woeful at times. Little hits 20 points in a half and doesn't even score the next game. KK dominates in one game and can't hit a layup the next game. We play good defense in one game and allow open drives to the hoop and three point shots in the next. K-State was getting open shots all over the place and we were forcing everything.

Just when I am ready to give up on this team they play a great game and when I think we are coming on they play a stinker. We are supposed to have all of these great three point shooters but are barely hitting 30% and are very average compared to the rest of the conference. This is the second of the last three years that we have underachieved. Even though we pick up some national recruits I am troubled with our lack of dominance of our own territory (Oklahoma and north Texas). Improved with Mulkey, Dungee and Llanusa, but we need more.

Good post.

 

[Mac]

Sherri is only 51, no way she is let go or retires...

 

[SoonerNorm]

I agree it is highly unlikely OU would fire her unless the team falls considerably in the rankings which is not expected.

That said, I'm not sure how much longer Sherri really wants to coach. She has talked about her love for writing. I would not be shocked at all if she decided to hang it up in the next five years and enjoy writing, traveling, or doing whatever she wants. I just do not see her at age 65 or 70 trying to win basketball games.

 

[Romulus]

She's not walking away from a million dollar a year job, especially one has comfortable as she is now.

 

[soonermike22]

I'm always puzzled to see how much fans seem to know about what happens in practice and on the recruiting trails when no one that I know of sees the practices and other than football and maybe mens basketball we seldom know who is being recruited until a commitment is announced.

If Sherri is not working on defense and rebounding and trying to correct mistakes then she is a very bad coach which most of us know she is not. If you have ever coached a real team you know that you try to work on things in every practice to keep the team sharp.

As for recruiting, we have a McD all-american coming in with another a year from signing. I have seen several of Llanusa's games this year and she is clearly a possibility for McD aa. She has really rounded out her offensive game. I keep waiting for more in the Llanusa class and I doubt that many of you have a clue who will be added.

Having said that I am troubled by the inconsistency and the underperformance of this team at times. Ortiz had a good freshman year and started for a national team in the summer and has been woeful at times. Little hits 20 points in a half and doesn't even score the next game. KK dominates in one game and can't hit a layup the next game. We play good defense in one game and allow open drives to the hoop and three point shots in the next. K-State was getting open shots all over the place and we were forcing everything.

Just when I am ready to give up on this team they play a great game and when I think we are coming on they play a stinker. We are supposed to have all of these great three point shooters but are barely hitting 30% and are very average compared to the rest of the conference. This is the second of the last three years that we have underachieved. Even though we pick up some national recruits I am troubled with our lack of dominance of our own territory (Oklahoma and north Texas). Improved with Mulkey, Dungee and Llanusa, but we need more.

Interesting that you think there is time in practice to work on and emphasize every skill a bb player needs to keep sharp, and also keep improving.
Practice time is precious, and what a coach emphasizes is what most players retain from previous practices, and improve on for the future. If you had every coached a real team you would know that

 

[sybarite]

Interesting that you think there is time in practice to work on and emphasize every skill a bb player needs to keep sharp, and also keep improving.
Practice time is precious, and what a coach emphasizes is what most players retain from previous practices, and improve on for the future. If you had every coached a real team you would know that

Not what was said:

If Sherri is not working on defense and rebounding and trying to correct mistakes then she is a very bad coach which most of us know she is not. If you have ever coached a real team you know that you try to work on things in every practice to keep the team sharp.

You emphasize key points constantly. You place special emphasis on mistakes. You don't coach every issue every day. But, you had better correct mistakes.

 

[soonermike22]

I guess I didn't say it very well. There is a difference in spending 5 minutes on, for example, rebounding, and spending 30. What a coach spends practice time on is usually the area the team improves in. IMO we need to improve on ball protection, defense, and rebounding. By making that a practice priority....as I said IF I was doing it.
Made not even a hint that I know anything about what goes on in Ou's pracrices.
And I took the "coached a real team" comment as an unnecessary shot.
Apologies to anyone offended

 

[sybarite]

I guess I didn't say it very well. There is a difference in spending 5 minutes on, for example, rebounding, and spending 30. What a coach spends practice time on is usually the area the team improves in. IMO we need to improve on ball protection, defense, and rebounding. By making that a practice priority....as I said IF I was doing it.
Made not even a hint that I know anything about what goes on in Ou's pracrices.
And I took the "coached a real team" comment as an unnecessary shot.
Apologies to anyone offended

It may have been a shot. I don't know that it was directed at you. It didn't seem to be directed particularly at anyone, if it were a shot. I don't know that you have done anything to merit being shot at.

 

[sooner8693]

Bring in all new assistants. Younger with energy and drive to improve. In nature, inbreeding produces inferior offspring and inferior product. Same thing is true in sports. The assistants she has appear to me to be "comfortable" just being there and drawing a check. JMO