Without Maddie??

[Oliver Hardy]

While we all are desperate to get her back on the court and we are all are counting on her to lead this next team to the promised land, there has been very little discussion about what this team does without Maddie or with a Maddie less than she used to be.

What if she's never really able to recover enough to be as effective as she was in those first games she played? How does the player rotation settle out, who replaces her? How much does it hurt us?

Can we be a factor in Big 12-2 or nationally? What happens to recruiting?

God forbid, what if she got injured again? (I don't even really want to think about that for that kid)

I really would love to have her catch a break and live up to the expectation we have all, including the staff, had. That girl needs to have some good luck.

 

[SoonerNorm]

IF Maddie can't go, Sherri could go with several options. My best guess would be to start Gioya or Derica. But, I could also see other player combinations if Sherri decided to go with a taller lineup.

 

[rocjunkie]

I would hate to think basketball without Maddie, but if not Norm is right we still have very good options with Nicole, Gioya, and Derica. I think we still will be extremely competitive for the Big XII.

 

[scrybe]

I know this really doesn't address your question, Oliver, but I would be very surprised if Maddie suffered those same type of knee injuries again. Medical science and surgery to repair torn ligaments has progressed to the point that the repaired ACL is usually stronger than the pre-injury ACL.

And the quickness/explosiveness should return if a player is willing to put in the hard work that's required. I believe Maddie is; she seems to be the kind of kid that loves the game and the competition.

Of course, she could blow out an ankle in the first preseason practice.

 

[sybarite]

scybe is pretty accurate in that there has been progress in ACL repair, and she only had two. Doesn't have a third knee. We have never had anyone come back fully from an ACL injury. Other teams have had. Whitney had other complications of the knee ligaments.

I will maintain a wait and see attitude with Maddie, but I am hopeful. I think Maddie can be the player that makes us a Final Four team. With what we have next year, I expect a Sweet Sixteen at best without Maddie, unless someone develops unexpectedly. Maddie can be that special. I don't know who else can.

 

[atlantasooner]

Can we agree that ideally Manning would be the starting 3?
The Point small forward role that Dales had is what I'm envisioning.

No Manning. Kornet or Little at the 3 would be my guess.
Sharane playing a mobile 4 role.
Leaving Gioya/Derica to play the 2.
Ton'a at the point. (leaving freshman out of this debate for now).

 

[Oliver Hardy]

I'd say, right now, she's clearly the starting 3. However, I'm not ruling out the 4.

She's supposed to be able to do it all. She can jump, she has quickness, she can rebound, she can shoot, she's tough, she's driven. 6-1 or 6-2 at least. I know she is slight of build, but I think she can be physical enough to handle the 4 and to give us that driving, 3-point inside and out shooter we need in that position so badly. Also think she can bang underneath.

The 4 is easily Sharane's starting slot, but what if Sharane regained a 3 shooting touch enabling Sherri to play her and Maddie at either the 3 or 4.

That would be helpful.

Amazing how we all expect such great things from a girl who hasn't made it through her first two seasons yet and hasn't played 5 complete games.

(hope.hope.hope.)

 

[sybarite]

I saw her in three games and thought she was the best player on the court for either team in all three games.

 

[rocjunkie]

I saw her in three games and thought she was the best player on the court for either team in all three games.

I saw all five of her games, plus her final and semi-final high school tournament. I agree with Syb, she is going to be special and is indeed a Stacy Dales type of player that can lead us to the promised land.

 

[SoonerNorm]

The thing that makes me pause about Maddie is the fact she has played in 6 games and averaged 6.2 PPG to go with 3.3 RPG. She also had 14 turnovers compared to 9 assists. Those numbers are comparable to those put up this year by Gioya (5.6 PPG and 3.2 RPG). We know she was dominate in high school but we have not seen her dominate at the D-1 level yet. I certainly hope she does because we need for her to be really good but it's a bit early for me to nominate her for any all-conference teams.

 

[sybarite]

There was a huge difference in Maddie in the three games that she started as opposed to her play when she was a reserve. As a starter, I think she averaged something like 11 points, five or six rebounds, and an equal number of assists and turnovers. Her steals were critical to one win. The nonsense stopped when she started.

 

[rocjunkie]

In Maddie's three starts she was 13-19 from the field 6-8 from the free throw line, avg. 11 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, had 5 steals total. She seemed to me to get more and more comfortable each game. Granted just 3 games, but still impressive for a freshman. I hope she picks up where she left off.

 

[Stringmusic]

+1

 

[atlantasooner]

roc/syb,

The only problem with your data, is that it's now two years and two knee surgeries old. And it's only 3 games during the Maui Tourney.
The prior games against UCLA/Creighton/St.Louis she was a non factor.

Either way you have to weary of small sample sizes.

It's not like Manning had a freshman year like Drob or Whitney then got hurt.

 

[garyeb2]

roc/syb,

The only problem with your data, is that it's now two years and two knee surgeries old. And it's only 3 games during the Maui Tourney.
The prior games against UCLA/Creighton/St.Louis she was a non factor.

Either way you have to weary of small sample sizes.

It's not like Manning had a freshman year like Drob or Whitney then got hurt.

Exactly. She looked like she was going to make a nice player. And she still might. I hope she does. But, it is less likely now than when she first stepped on campus.

 

[rocjunkie]

roc/syb,

The only problem with your data, is that it's now two years and two knee surgeries old. And it's only 3 games during the Maui Tourney.
The prior games against UCLA/Creighton/St.Louis she was a non factor.

Either way you have to weary of small sample sizes.

It's not like Manning had a freshman year like Drob or Whitney then got hurt.

Your point is well taken, all I am saying, for a freshman, even in her 4th, 5th and 6th game, I find she was getting very comfortable in Sherri's system and to be that consistent for 3 consecutive days is pretty good. I am not saying she will or won't take up where she left off, but I like to stay optimistic.