Positives from Sunday

[35TangoTango]

Just my take

1. It was a great day for freshmen named Erin: a combined 8-12 shooting (4-5 from 3 point range), 11-12 free throws for a combined 31 points!

2. Tech's stars played well

3. OU's freshmen played well, and Schuknecht can be a dominant center.

Lessons Learned:

OU's freshmen now know exactly what it takes to compete at the level OU did last year. OU's stars must learn to trust the new guys - Caton and Dionnah can't do it all, and they are not effective if they try to.

TT's veterans now know exactly what it takes to compete at the level they want to this year. The role players must learn to step up their intensity considerably, particularly on defese - Plennette and Jia and Erin can't do it all, either.

The next several games for each of these teams should be really fun to watch (but not for the opponents).

I just made reservations in Tulsa for the Bertha Teague Classic.

[RaiderPower1]

That's absolutely right.

A team cannot be the best team without balance. You might have 2 or 3 players that can give you 15+ a game but unless you get more scoring (and rebounding) from other members of the team, then you won't be nearly as successful with more balance. LaTech showed great balance with their best four. Tech had 3 players that showed greatness, but they needed better defensive rebounding as a team and more scoring from the role players.

OU looked good, but they are young. They will no doubt rise to greatness once again and I think that it won't even wait till next season. OU will be good when conference play rolls around. I still think Texas Tech, OU, KSU, and UT will be the teams to beat, but neither will go far without balance.