Who's the point next season and your 1st 5?

[Oliver Hardy]

Interesting race for the point guard next season is shaping up.

Carter? Edwards? Ortiz? Seems like Edwards may have a bit of a lead right now to me. Of course, no one knows what Gabby is going to be like.

Is Maddie in this race?

If I had to pick my starting five right now, given our 5 situation and the fact Sherri is not going away from a 4 guard anytime soon, this is who I'd pick......

wait I can't.

Outside of Sharane how does it all work out?

Campbell, Kornet....and then?

Maddie at the 3 or point?
Ortiz -- at the 1 or 2?
Edwards at the 1?
Carter at the 1?
Pierre-Louis at the 5?

I think Kay-Kay's fouls are going to keep her as a 2nd unit player until she stops those ticky-tacks.

What say you?

 

[sybarite]

I think we need to know how full the recovery to Maddie is and if Pierre-Louis is ready to play. We also need to know how much progress some people will make over the summer.

Right now, I think it will be Ortiz at the point. Edwards could make it interesting if she would develop a jump shot.

 

[SoonerNorm]

PG- I believe Ortiz will start from day one at the point. Edwards will be a very good backup.

SG- we have Maddie, Peyton, Gioya, Derica, Penzo, Williams (why we have that many I don't have a clue). I like Gioya a lot. I watched Peyton a little last year and was impressed. I have watched Maddie a little and was impressed. A month ago I would have said Maddie or Peyton. Today, Gioya has to be in the conversation. She has improved a ton this year. Okay, I have to pick one so I will go with Peyton.

SF- Kornet, Sharane, Maddie, Derica. I will go with Kornet. I would have picked her last a month ago but she has played well the last few games.

PF- Sharane, Kellogg, Gibbs, Maddie (I realize I am probably the only one who thinks Maddie would be a good PF but I like her height and athleticism at that position). I will go with Sharane.

C- we have Kaylon, Pierre-Louis, Gibbs. When you put it on paper, you see the glaring weakness we have at that position. A jr. who cannot stay in a game because of fouls. A sophomore who hasn't played and a true freshman who is untested at the D-1 level. I will go with Pierre-Louis just because I sincerely hope she's better than the other two.

So, my starting five would be Ortiz, Peyton, Kornet, Sharane, and Pierre-Louis.

 

[atlantasooner]

PG - Ortiz
SG - Little
SF - Kornet
PF - Manning
C - Williams. Unless Pierre Louis is healthy and special

 

[sybarite]

Let's assume that everyone is healthy. I think Maddie is the wild card. She can start at any position other than post, and she may pull a Magic Johnson and do the post in a crunch. I think we let the other positions work themselves out, and put Maddie at the position that is left.

Post: Kay Kay? If Pierre-Louis is healthy, Kay Kay will have a challenge from what I have seen. Pierre-Louis seems to do right things right. I wouldn't discount Gibbs. She has a long way to go. But, she is so athletic that she could be a star with a couple of weaknesses. If Gibbs can just play defense and rebound, she may have a shot. Right now---Kay Kay. In January?

Point: I think it was Samantha Logic that I watched Ortiz destroy a couple of years ago. It was some D-1 guard. She just seems to think the ball is hers, a feature that Dungee seems to have as well. Edwards has a shot if she can add a jump shot or a three. But, I lean to Ortiz.

Shooting guard: It may well be Ortiz. Little arrives with a reputation, and she does a lot right. When I saw her in a couple of games at A&M, I didn't think she played or shot well. Gioya has learned a lot this year. She has improved. I'm going with Gioya until Little proves me wrong. I doubt we will be hurting.

Small forward: I'm going with Sharane. I think of her as a misplaced shooting guard/small forward type. I think we will let Kornet and Maddie have the shot at power forward. They are two and three inches taller, and we need Sharane's mobility more than we need her guarding 6-2 girls.

Power forward: I'm going to start the year with Kornet. I think she is coming on strong.. Not only did she hit about four threes against Baylor, she got about nine rebounds. She fights.

This leaves out Maddie who I think may be the best player on the team. I would call her aside at the beginning of the year and tell her that I want her to come off the bench for a while to replace whoever is not getting it done. Then, she will start for the person that she subs for most. I have said before that Maddie reminded me of Magic Johnson in that she can play inside or outside. I think she becomes the person that we need to fit the situation as it occurs.

I'm leaving out some people that I think are talented. I think Kellogg, Gibbs, Kay Kay, Penzo, and T'Ona can play. I'm simply not sure about LaNeisha, any more than I was sure about Gioya this year. Derica needs to develop confidence. She can. She just seems uncertain.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

All of these comments are equally plausible in my opinion and I share many of them.

Simply because of her two straight injuries, Maddie is certainly the wild card. I like her at the PF because of her height, her ability to drive the ball (remember she was subbing regularly for Morgan when she got hurt again), he shooting touch. I think she may be another Leah Rush only better.

Pierre-Louis I think has a great shot at starting. Not because I've seen her play, however. It's because I've seen all the others play. Kay-Kay -- even giving her the benefit of the doubt and chalking this season up to being really her first to play much, she just shows little sign of learning right now.

Sharane and Kornet are going to start. I give Little the edge at the 2 because of her experience playing with A&M.

Still can't decide on point. I think Edwards starts the season. Whether she finishes it as the starter is another thing.

 

[soonermike22]

Put the best 5 on the court, with the stipulation that one has to be a "point guard", and one has to be able to guard the other teams center.
From what I saw early on, Little will start and maybe be the best player on the floor.
Shrane will be a senior, and if motivated, is excellent.
Kornet ahead of maddie, who is coming off two injuries-It will take time to get back rhythm etc
I hope Kay Kay will be a lot better with a year past her injury, so her ahead of Pierre Louis early on.
Edwards ahead of Gioya and Gabby at the start of the year, with all playing.
Those 9 make up a strong rotation, but rebounding will again be a problem, and very thin inside.

 

[Mark]

1.Ortiz ( If T'Ona develop an offensive she could easily start)
2.Cater (Outside of Aayrn she our best play maker and the only one that can create her own shot so she get the nod)
3.Little(You got to think she learn a little defense playing for A&M)
4.Campbell( I realize Sherri is not going to start 2 post players no time soon)
5.Pierre-Louis(From what I saw on her highlights she better then all the post we got right now)

Kornet(she to inconsistent to start IMO)
Manning(2 ACLs surgeries and 2 years I think might put her behind Campbell Little and Cater)
Williams(If She stop commit those stupid fouls shs could start)

 

[Mark]

Campbell
Little
Cater
Pierre-Louis
Ortiz
Kornet
Manning
Williams
T'Ona

No question these 9 will the core of the team next year and the the starting 5 will be one of these 9 players.

 

[rocjunkie]

Just my two cents and opinion,

Gabby starts at the point, until T'ona develops some sort of offensive game, she remains an excellent defender off the bench.

I think Maddie has a chip on her shoulder and will be in the starting line up at the three.

Sharane at the four.

Since I don't know about Pierre-Louis's injury, or how serious, Kaylon will start at the five, Louis will earn serious court time and may be the starter before the season is over.

I really believe that Peyton will be in the starting line up. From what I saw in the scrimmage, she was the best shooter on the floor and good all around solid player.

Gioya first off the bench, then Nicole, Kaylon or Louis, and then Wyatt. I haven't seen Williams, but have heard she is amazing. I would guess she will earn some court time at some point in time.

 

[tycat947]

Just my two cents and opinion,

Gabby starts at the point, until T'ona develops some sort of offensive game, she remains an excellent defender off the bench.

I think Maddie has a chip on her shoulder and will be in the starting line up at the three.

Sharane at the four.

Since I don't know about Pierre-Louis's injury, or how serious, Kaylon will start at the five, Louis will earn serious court time and may be the starter before the season is over.

I really believe that Peyton will be in the starting line up. From what I saw in the scrimmage, she was the best shooter on the floor and good all around solid player.

Gioya first off the bench, then Nicole, Kaylon or Louis, and then Wyatt. I haven't seen Williams, but have heard she is amazing. I would guess she will earn some court time at some point in time.

Maddie seems to be the wildcard to me. The couple of times I saw her before the 2nd injury this year, I didn't detect ANY negative effects from her first injury. She seemed to be just as quick as she was before the injury and she seemed to be going full speed and not holding back on her game at all. That's irrelevant to the second injury though. If her 2nd knee injury goes as the first, it will probably take her longer to get back to where she was just because she won't have played much basketball for 2 years and maybe mentally she'll be a little reserved and gun shy from having both knees with ACL injuries. I think sometimes the surgical repaired knees are actually stronger afterwards and I sure hope this is the case with Maddie! If knee injury #2 heals just as well as knee injury #1 appeared to, I think she will live up to her projections as a star although it's going to take a longer period of time to get back to that level just due to the fact she hasn't played much ball in 2 years. I have no doubt she will work her butt off to get back into shape. I also notice that she's almost always sitting next to Sherri during the games and I don't know if she's doing that on her own or if Sherri is requesting her to sit there so she can teach her during the games. Why isn't Peyton sitting next to Sherri? I think Sherri may know that Maddie can become the next great leader of this team. During the 1st scrimmage this year, Maddie was playing PG of the second team so I'm wondering if that is the position the coaching staff is intending for her to play because if she weren't, I would think she would have been starting on the 1st in place of Nicole K or Sharane. IF she can fully recover from the 2nd ACL and avoid any future injuries, I believe she'll be a big difference maker just because of many things she can do on the court. That may be a big IF!

 

[sybarite]

Maddie did seem to be moving well this year until she got the second injury. Although not really knowledgeable, I do wonder if that ligament isn't weak in some people, and the replacement is much stronger. Some people seem to be more stable after surgery. Others have been slowed a bit, which has been the history at OU. But, I think there is indication that the techniques are improving.

When Maddie was recruited, Sherri said she was the next Stacey Dales. We assumed that she meant that Maddie would be the point. I'm not so sure that it means that Maddie won't just be the leader, and a type of leader that we have lacked. Our typical leader has been pretty good. But, Maddie seems to bring an attitude that has been lacking, like she would relish a fight.

What I think Roc and I saw and agreed on was that Maddie somewhat reminded us of Magic Johnson. She fits wherever she wants. She can play any position. Magic could play center. When I saw Maddie in Hawaii, there were two things that were extremely exciting. First, she can elevate. Her jump shot was so high that it would have been difficult for Griner to block. She seems to be about six inches above everyone else. The other thing, and the thing that may be of most concern, was that Maddie was the most explosive guard that we have had---including DRob. Being so tall, her strides were long, and it seems like she took one step from the top of the circle to get to the rim. She exploded. These natural attributes are something that you just can't coach. You find it. I don't remember who said he saw her in Tulsa against a supposedly elite guard that everyone wanted from Tulsa, and she couldn't stay in front of Maddie.

If that Maddie returns, she may need a couple of months to get back into the flow of things. But, that is something other than just pure basketball skill that makes her competitive. I think there will be games during her career in which she is the best point guard, two guard, small forward, power forward, and post in the game---all in the same game. I see Maddie as being extremely exciting, and I just hope that she has not been permanently damaged by these injuries. With her attitude, she may be able to overcome anything except a severe decline in her natural ability. IF healthy, I expect Maddie to be our best player by the time she is a sophomore, regardless of who we have, and regardless of position.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

It really would be great and a strong move toward improving this program if Maddie is that type of player and can return and stay healthy.

You and I agree, Sybil, we need an attitude on the floor.

Another thing that we should be talking about for next year is that we will have 3 of the 5 positions with quality depth for the first time in a long time. The 1, 2 and 3 -- even though we don't know who will start.

 

[rocjunkie]

I don't know where Maddie will play in the four guard system, and to me it really doesn't matter, because I agree with Syb on her value. She can play just about any where on the floor, and if not at the point, will still be an excellent facilitator of the basketball. Tycat is right it will depend on her rehab and I just hope it goes as smoothly as her last and she jumps right in and is ready to go.

 

[Mac]

I like Ortiz starting at point guard, and I could see her there for the next 4 years. Edwards seems more like a back up in the mode of Jazz, she can come in for a few minutes and the team not miss a beat.

Louis should start at center, I agree she looks better then what we have now, other then Kay Kay. I saw the 2012-2013 State Championship game she played in last year, she didn't make it down the court every time, but she did get on her teammates when they weren't trying or in the right place on defense, something we need.

I like Cater at the 3 and Campbell at the 4.

Manning is the wildcard like most have said, she seems like the perfect point-forward this team needs, an excellent ball handler/play maker from the wing.

I think Little will start next year and this is why

"Sophomore Peyton Little littered the box score with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists in 21 minutes played. Little, who played at Texas A&M last year, will sit out this season due to transfer eligibility rules."

this is from the Crimson vs Cream preseason intrasquad scrimmage.

 

[gosooner2]

Interesting answers. I do not remember where last years recruiting class was ranked but I do remember a lot of talk about Edwards, Kellogg, Wyatt, all going to push for playing time. Now they will be sophomores and barely mentioned. Is this years incoming class really that much better or are highlight films just what they are highlights? If this years freshmen (next years sophs) do no more than some forecast then we may lose some ---again!

 

[atlantasooner]

gosooner,
last year's class was not that highly ranked by the services available.
Wyatt and Kellogg got some mention but were not in the top 100 of a lot of lists.
Carter and Jackson, same thing, And Gibbs was pretty much unranked unevaluated
completely.

And I think there's easily some question about those services, but generally in the top 30
area they seem to be pretty accurate id'ing the impact kids.
Ortiz is the best ranked player since Drob/Amanda Thompson. Ortiz /soundslooks like
a difference maker from all reports.
Pierre Louis rankings vary but she's rated as high as Griffin was. Same range as Kaylon as well.

Manning and Kornet were also ranked in the top 50 by most services. So Kornet's struggles have been a bit baffling and Manning's injury woes have robbed the team of arguably their most talented/highly ranked player the last two years.
Harden was in the top 30 range as well. So that transfer talent wise hurt.
Manning could have been the point forward the last 2 years taking a lot of pressure Hook allowing her to be more of a combo 2 guard. And creating a huge mismatch advantage for OU.
Peyton Little was a top 30 player by most services as well.

 

[Mac]

gosooner,
last year's class was not that highly ranked by the services available.
Wyatt and Kellogg got some mention but were not in the top 100 of a lot of lists.
Carter and Jackson, same thing, And Gibbs was pretty much unranked unevaluated
completely.

And I think there's easily some question about those services, but generally in the top 30
area they seem to be pretty accurate id'ing the impact kids.
Ortiz is the best ranked player since Drob/Amanda Thompson. Ortiz /soundslooks like
a difference maker from all reports.
Pierre Louis rankings vary but she's rated as high as Griffin was. Same range as Kaylon as well.

Manning and Kornet were also ranked in the top 50 by most services. So Kornet's struggles have been a bit baffling and Manning's injury woes have robbed the team of arguably their most talented/highly ranked player the last two years.
Harden was in the top 30 range as well. So that transfer talent wise hurt.
Manning could have been the point forward the last 2 years taking a lot of pressure Hook allowing her to be more of a combo 2 guard. And creating a huge mismatch advantage for OU.
Peyton Little was a top 30 player by most services as well.

Thought Griffin was number 80 coming out of high school, I think she has had an soiled career at OU, she's just been inconsistent and not a very good re-bounder for 6'6.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Atlanta is right. Kellog was the highest rated player in last season's class and I believe she was like 103 or 109.

Last year's class has yet to develop into anything. That isn't unusual, however, because Sherri rarely gives freshmen much playing time -- unless she has to.

This year she's had to -- a lot. Even then with our problems at the 3,4,5 Kellog hasn't gotten much time. She seems to be in the mode of Griffin with an ability to hit the three. Tall, lanky, etc.

Not sure what to expect out of her next year.

Gibbs -- I know Syb is high on her because of her athleticism and body size. I agree with the body size evaluation. She could be a real banger. What we have briefly seen, she seems to have a better leaping ability than Kay-Kay and boxes out decently. She is so raw, however, I'm not sure the coaching staff can or will make something out of her. I think there is some concern about her non-basketball ability too.

This next class seems to be much better. Hopefully the 2015 class will really be good and this ship will get turned around.

 

[sybarite]

Sherri is high on Kay Kay's ability. From what I've seen, she needs a stimulus. I would be playing Gibbs because I don't see her as being worse than Kay Kay at this time. It is frustrating that someone with Kay Kay's ability can go a five or six-game span with a total of nine rebounds (and have people complain about Griffin).

Think of it. Griffin had more rebounds against Kansas than Kay Kay had in the previous six games combined.

Either Kay Kay would step up or sit down.

I don't know why Sherri does not play Kellogg. She does rebound fairly well for the time she is in. I think it is that Sherri needs offense from that position, and Shaya is somewhat reluctant to shoot---freshman apprehension. She has only taken two shots in conference play in 63 minutes. She has 17 rebounds, but, at least, she doesn't turn the ball over (zero in conference play). She can play, but needs to be told to do it. But, Kellogg, despite beating up on Kai James, is not a center. She is a forward, and she does need to score.