Pierson Predicts NC

[Buffsfan22]

http://www.universitydaily.net/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/10/15/3dab5dcb6cbc4

Bold...but ya gotta like it.

[Press]

It is bold, but I like it as well. I think you have to have a championship mentality in order to get there. I think this is the most talented Tech ever assembled, so their lofty goals are realistic and should make some noise this season. Pierson realizes that this is her last shot and she will need the entire team get there.

[SKATERBOY]

They said the same think last year, and it just fell apart.
final four 2003 rest of great 8
a) duke a)lsu
b) tennessee b)textech
c)lsu
c) kstate d)texas
d) uconn

[Bball Girl]

Yeah, but there's a different feel to Pierson's prediction this year and it showed in the practice. I've been to a lot of LR practices, but I've never seen the team act the way they are acting this year both in terms of how they are approaching this year and how they are approaching the team. It's hard to explain, a different tone in their voices, a different attititude toward conditioning, a different step in their walk.

I'm a homer as you all know, but I'm willing to be a believer this year! There's no UCONN in anyone's way this year. One of the reasons UConn succeeded last year (besides the awesome talent they have) is that they believed they were the best and that's how they approached each and every game. Nothing to prove cause you're already there.

One Team, One Mission, One Goal

[TXSNOS]

You go girl!

Actually, it would be ok with me if they come in second, if UT came in FIRST! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

TXs N Os

[Jimi]

Originally posted by TXSNOS:
You go girl!

Actually, it would be ok with me if they come in second, if UT came in FIRST! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

TXs N Os

OK, if K-State and another Big 12 team "to be named later" fill the other two spots. (I would have mentioned the Buffs but Buffsfan22 has this "no love" deal going and I don't want to break her focus)

[This message has been edited by Jimi (edited 10-15-2002).]

[Bobcat4956]

I am all for athletes' being confident. However, I think it puts a lot of pressure when you predict this early that your team will win the national championship. To state goals such as getting to the Final Four, etc. would be a bit more reasonable. Not to say that TT is not capable of winning it all. Only time will tell. I hope my Lady Longhorns have something to say about it before it is all said and done.

[Press]

Originally posted by Bobcat4956:
I am all for athletes' being confident. However, I think it puts a lot of pressure when you predict this early that your team will win the national championship. To state goals such as getting to the Final Four, etc. would be a bit more reasonable. Not to say that TT is not capable of winning it all. Only time will tell. I hope my Lady Longhorns have something to say about it before it is all said and done.


Do you feel the same way when Mack Brown and his players state at the beginning of the year that winning a NC is their goal?

I agree that it puts pressure on the team to back it up, but if you don't say it, do you ever believe it? Making your goals public will always keep the pressure on you and maybe that's what PP and this team need to keep them focused.

At this point, I think Tech has as much of a shot as say, UConn, and they never stop expecting to win it all and they're very vocal about it. Maybe it's a new way of thinking around the Sharp camp.

"I think this year we have high expectations, but we don't feel any pressure from (the prediction) because we want it." ...Jolee Ayers


[This message has been edited by Press (edited 10-15-2002).]

[ChipperF1]

Rock On, Sister Plenette!

If you can't name it, you can't claim it. Give me TTU's attitude anyday. Sounds like Plenette's gotten her attitude adjustment and has responded accordingly.

I'd love that attitude wearing scarlet and cream anyday and twice on sundays. If you don't aim high, they why even hit the floor? I give credit to Texas Tech for not being timid. They aren't showing anybody up, but they are making their claim on their season. That is what a championship team does.

It scary to have to meet a team with that kind of focus. I just hope we can keep Texas Tech's margin of victory within 55 points.

[Bobcat4956]

Well if Texas Tech has as much of a chance as UConn, there are two other schools in the Big XII that have equally as good a chance. K State and UT will also be loaded this year. It is one thing to say that winning the national championship is your goal. It is another to say that you are going to do it. Just my opinion. Like I said, time will tell.

[Press]

Originally posted by Bobcat4956:
Well if Texas Tech has as much of a chance as UConn, there are two other schools in the Big XII that have equally as good a chance. K State and UT will also be loaded this year. It is one thing to say that winning the national championship is your goal. It is another to say that you are going to do it. Just my opinion. Like I said, time will tell.

Relax, Bobcat, no one is saying anything about UT and KSU not having a shot at the title. UConn was used as an example because they are the poster child for this championship mentality. It's kind of like the Sherri Coale mentality that they expect to win every game. I like that mentality.

[Bobcat4956]

Oh, I'm pretty relaxed. Not sure why you think I am not. I expressed my opinion just like you expressed yours. I stand by what I said. You guys need to relax. I have a different opinion. That is all. I RESPECT confidence. And I definitely respect Marsha Sharp's coaching abilities.

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by Press:
It's kind of like the Sherri Coale mentality that they expect to win every game. I like that mentality.

Or the Bob Stoops mentality. He plays to win; he doesn't play to not lose. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif He and Sherri seem to have very similar personas as far as the confidence thing goes. Seems like it works just fine too. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[SKATERBOY]

Relax - we all felt that Mack Brown UT football is over rated. Rememember Ut only cares about mens football. that is #1 and always has been. Everything else takes back seat. I think the Big 12 has quality teams in womens basketball, but reality check for real.

Duke, Tenessee, Uconn, Kstate I feel will make the final four.
Tech could not stop ohlde, Texas could not stop her - Texas could only could contain her. No way Texas Tech could beat Duke or Tenessee during that time of year. I think the best Texas and Texas Tech will do is the great 8. I think one might get close to making the final four. Sure any one in the top 10 would like to win the national championship, but I dont think anyone other that the top 4 really has a chance to go that far. I predict Tennessee will be back to win it all in the end.

[Bobcat4956]

Well Skaterboy, DON'T put words in my mouth. Maybe football is #1 to a lot of people, but NOT to me. I appreciate all sports and am NOT a Mack Brown fan. I am a HUGE womens' basketball fan, however and I can't wait for the season to start.

[DBLTFarmer]

Skaterboy,

You have a valid point about no one being able to defend Ohlde. Tech played at Kansas State last year and played them a pretty good game. I dont remember the final score but it wasnt a blow out. I would have loved to see Plennette Pierson in that game defending Ohlde. Tech had no match for Ohlde and could not double team her because of the way K-State was able to spread the floor. That is the key to the Lady Raiders this season. Tech has the potential to match up well with anyone in the conference.

That is part of the basis for the NC prediction. Last year Plennete Pierson was suspended. She was a preseason pick to be an All American and was the teams leading returning scorer. Jia Perkins was forced to take on a much greater scoring roll forcing her to play under pressure. She also played part of the season out of position at the point guard. With the additions of Erin Grant and Mik Tennal, Jia can play her natural position.
Candi White at point guard was not a big scorer. Guess what, Tech now has two point guards who can score and get assists. I dont know the facts but I would be willing to bet that Cisti Greenwalt was in the top 5 players in the conference for rebounds, blocked shots, and points scored per minute of play. I could be totally off on that fact but Cisti will be a huge presence for Tech this year. We lost Amber Tarr and her points but her position will be played by committee. Im sure we can make up for her points in other positions so we can put a three point specialist, or a defensive specialist, or a rebounding specialist in the games.
Tech will also have a strong bench. At least two players will be coming off the bench who had significant pt last year. We could see two to three more players coming off the bench.

Yes, we are excited. Last year was not considered a successful year by most Lady Raider fans. We see the weaknesses from last year and have seen them corrected. We see the attitude that we knew these girls could have. Me, I just cant wait for the season to start. :TTU

[DBLTFarmer]

http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/ttu.gif Sorry just trying to get this Icon to work.

[Press]

Originally posted by Bobcat4956:
Oh, I'm pretty relaxed. Not sure why you think I am not. I expressed my opinion just like you expressed yours. I stand by what I said. You guys need to relax. I have a different opinion. That is all. I RESPECT confidence. And I definitely respect Marsha Sharp's coaching abilities.

Ok, cool, you've convinced me you're relaxed. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[swok34]

Stacey Dales projected the same kind of persona. I don't recall at what point of the season last year that OU was determined to make it to San Antonio, but it was well before the tournament started. No one was more vocal about that than Dales and Coale......Dales told the crowd on senior night to follow "us" to the Final Four.....I don't know that I ever heard them come out and say NC, but FF definitely.

OU played at UT-San Antonio in a tourney early in the season AND I believe even at that point they were "confident" that they would be coming back to pay San Antonio a visit....

I'm all for confidence. A lot of folks prior to the UT/OU game were calling Stoops arrogant and cocky........what do you think is the difference between "confidence" and coming off "arrogant" to the opposing team?

What's the harm in predicting a "NC"? and isn't that the "goal" for every team.

[Jimi]

Originally posted by swok34:
What's the harm in predicting a "NC"? and isn't that the "goal" for every team.

No harm at all. Besides, winning the NC or at least a FF may be no harder than winning the Big 12 conference this year. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[Bball Girl]

I think KSU is going to have a great year and yes last year we couldn't defend against Olhde. But that was last year. However, KSU's immaturity showed down the stretch but they've learned a lot from last year and even though their lack of depth concerns me I think they will be in the hunt. Besides having a great shot, Olhde;s a smart team player, knows how and when to step out of a double/triple team and has the range to make shots from anywhere. She also knew when to pass it out to her colleagues who could drain the three.

That's been Pierson's downfall. No matter if she was quadruple teamed in the post, she would still try to shoot cause she didn't have the range and perhaps the confidence to shoot from 16 feet out and she didn't pass the ball out. She (last year) thought Pierson was more important than the team... This year, she's passing the ball out of the post, stepping out/around the triple team and making shots from beyond the free throw line...I couldn't believe my eyes!

One of the differences that I hear this year is that the LRs are not comparing themselves to anyone or worrying about anyone. They seem to be focused on what they want to accomplish, period and not what they other teams are going to or not going to do. They aren't worrying about where they are in the polls, they are focusing on where they want to be in April...in Atlanta and working toward that goal. It isn't arrogance or disrespect...Marsha doesn't go for that...it's what sat Pierson last year.

We won't know how KSU and Tech stack up against each other until the last game...I was thrilled to see that our last 2 Big 12 games are against KSU and UT at home, that's a fine way to end a season. The old rival and the "not so new anymore" great kids on the block. It should be a fun and I can hardly wait. Only another month.

[Jimi]

Originally posted by Bball Girl:
We won't know how KSU and Tech stack up against each other until the last game...I was thrilled to see that our last 2 Big 12 games are against KSU and UT at home, that's a fine way to end a season. The old rival and the "not so new anymore" great kids on the block. It should be a fun and I can hardly wait. Only another month.

That IS a great way to end the season!

To make it fair for fan travel let's move that game to a nutural court, like say Wichita, KS or at least Norman, OK. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

Seriously, I envy you guys and am looking forward to the game too. Maybe I will find a way to get to that game. I will have a special place in my heart for Coach Sharp, Jia and Tech this year after the USA team gold medal run.

Thanks for the kind comments about Nicole Ohlde and the Wildcats. Nicole is a great young lady and it has been fun to see her "grow" including over the summer with that "other Coach" on the USA team. Seeing her in person over the summer and hearing her speak at Catbacker and Cat-Caravan functions its clear that her confidence is up and she just feels more comfortable in her role. She knows she belongs and does not have to defer to anyone. She is also sronger and has developed more moves.

Of course, at this time of the year we are all "All World". That said I do think the Big 12 has a lot to look forward to this year. Good luck to all B-12 teams. GO BIG 12!!!!!!!

[swok34]

To make it fair for fan travel let's move that game to a nutural court, like say Wichita, KS or at least Norman, OK.

Great idea!