Purdue vs. Oklahoma Elite Eight Game Thread

[tx4OU]

Okay, I'm a day early, but I'm just so pumped right now after last night's game.

Watched Purdue against Rutgers and think Purdue has quite the shooters on their squad. They're taller as a team than what I thought too.

I've already got a look-a-like for their head coach Gator, so don't go replacing your keyboard just yet. Am trying to find the picture.

Here's hoping that a lot of the men's cross-over crowd walks up and purchases tickets for Tuesday night's game. It would be really awesome to send off the guys with a crowd of 15K plus. The announced attendance for last night's game was just over 10K. Reading the OU boards, a lot of the men's bball board posters were posting on the Official Game Thread on the women's board. It sounds like a bunch of them are going to come out tomorrow night. Let's hope that happens.

Would be nice to take back the title of Largest Crowd to Witness a Women's Basketball Game in the State of Oklahoma.

[tx4OU]

Here's hoping that a lot of the men's cross-over crowd walks up and purchases tickets for Tuesday night's game. It would be really awesome to send off the guys with a crowd of 15K plus. The announced attendance for last night's game was just over 10K. Reading the OU boards, a lot of the men's bball board posters were posting on the Official Game Thread on the women's board. It sounds like a bunch of them are going to come out tomorrow night. Let's hope that happens.

Would be nice to take back the title of Largest Crowd to Witness a Women's Basketball Game in the State of Oklahoma.
Okay, I'm quoting myself.........

When Mrs. Agnus Doubtfire shook hands with Sherri after the game, I saw her take a little longer talking to Sherri. She seemed to gesture towards the crowd. I'm wondering if she was impressed with the attendance.

Here's Sherri's intro comments from the postgame press conference:
COACH COALE: First of all, I think every student-athlete who competes in the NCAA tournament should have an opportunity to compete in that environment that we were in tonight, I just think it's special.

I appreciate the people of Oklahoma for their loyal support and for the support they give us, and the kids that come to Oklahoma get to experience something special like that. I think it's unique and I'm very proud of our state.


This is the only quote by Coach Berenato I could find about the crowd:
"Little kids dream of that. They dream of playing in an environment like that, but usually their dreams are when it's their home court and it's their environment," Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said. "It was an opportunity for our ladies to come out and perform and to see what we were made of, and I think that Oklahoma was the better team tonight."

[tx4OU]

I finally found a more detailed article. This from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pitt Women's Notebook: Bigger crowds, ticket sales drive site picks
Monday, March 30, 2009
By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma got to play Pitt last night in a Sweet 16 game at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. It is just the latest example of how unfair the NCAA women's tournament can be in terms of allowing teams to play on home courts -- or in this case virtually a home court.

The issue is often debated by coaches and those who observe women's basketball, and it is usually a hot-button topic because there is no easy solution to the underlying issue. If the tournament was played at truly neutral sites with no regards to geography, there would be a sharp drop-off in ticket sales.

Even as it is, some host sites -- where home teams either don't draw many fans to begin with or where the host team has been upset -- have struggled to sell some tickets.

And that raises this question -- what is more important -- fairness or selling tickets?

Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said it is a delicate balance, but the bottom line is players would rather play in front of big crowds, even if they are hostile ones.

"The thing about it, it doesn't matter where you are and to a great extent it doesn't matter as much who you are playing as it does, 'Are you the best you can be?'" Coale said. "That is the whole sense of the NCAA tournament. And I speak for the moment as the president of the WBCA [Women's Basketball Coaches Association] when I say one of our missions, maybe the center most, is to continue to grow the game in terms of exposure and attendance.

"At the top of that list would be student-athlete experience. When a student-athlete wins the right to play in the NCAA tournament, you should feel it in your bones. I watched some of the games on television [Saturday] and I felt sad for those teams to have to compete in an environment where it doesn't feel like the NCAA tournament."

Purdue coach Sharon Versyp, whose team played Rutgers in the first game of the doubleheader last night at the Ford Center, was asked a similar question. She said it is clearly an advantage for the home teams but it creates situations for upsets -- such as Michigan State knocking off No. 1 seed Duke in East Lansing, Mich., earlier this week or Rutgers surprising No. 2 seed Auburn -- but that's not a bad thing.

"It is a huge advantage," Versyp said. "You saw that around the country. People said there were upsets but it is great for women's basketball. There is clearly a home-court advantage when you have so many fans cheering for you, but everybody knows it is what it is. But I think if you are playing to battle for the chance to get to the Elite Eight or the Final Four, you have to be mentally tough at this point."

A little excessive?
The zeal a city has to roll out the red carpet when it is the host of an event is always admirable, but sometimes, particularly given the state of the economy, perhaps it is possible to go overboard.

Consider -- the four teams in the regional receive bus rides with police escorts to and from the arena, which is a common practice.

What makes it a little bit of a head-scratcher in this case is all four teams -- Rutgers and Pitt in particular -- are staying in hotels within a few blocks of the arena and there was almost no traffic on the road in front of the hotels Saturday and yesterday.

Short jumpers
Six schools -- Purdue, Pitt, Louisville, Connecticut, Michigan State and Oklahoma -- had men's and women's programs reach the Sweet 16. Of the six, only three, Connecticut and Louisville and the winner of Pitt-Oklahoma, had both teams reach the Elite Eight and Connecticut is the only team with a chance to get both teams to the Final Four. ... Pitt was the only one of the four teams at the Oklahoma City Region which had never been to a Final Four. Purdue, however, is the only team which has won a national title.

Pitts' Xenia Stewart passes the ball as Oklahoma's Whitney Hand, left, and Carlee Roethlisberger defend in the first half of the women's NCAA regional semifinal last night in Oklahoma City.

Paul Zeise can be reached at pzeise@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1720.
First published on March 30, 2009 at 12:00 am

[swok34]

The Ford Center holds 19,000 for basketball. Last night's attendance was very close to last year's attendance when there was no local dog in the fight.

I was surprised. Back in 2002, OU didn't have the "steady" attendance numbers that they do now. But just as soon as the media so throwing the words "Final Four" around, people flocked. It will be interesting to see what the attendance numbers are tomorrow night.

I would guess there were more Rutgers fans there than any of other 3, and probably about 100-150. Purdue 50-75 and very few Pitt fans.

I don't know if every OU fan learned what I learned from what Sherri said back in 2000, 01, but if you don't support (fannies in seats) when you host, regardless if your team is there or not, you jeopardize future hosting opportunities.

OU is hosting a 1st and 2nd round next year.

[HoopScoop]

A little excessive?
The zeal a city has to roll out the red carpet when it is the host of an event is always admirable, but sometimes, particularly given the state of the economy, perhaps it is possible to go overboard.

Consider -- the four teams in the regional receive bus rides with police escorts to and from the arena, which is a common practice.

What makes it a little bit of a head-scratcher in this case is all four teams -- Rutgers and Pitt in particular -- are staying in hotels within a few blocks of the arena and there was almost no traffic on the road in front of the hotels Saturday and yesterday.

I don't get this quote. What's excessive about that? As he says, this is very common and was done when the Big 12 Tournament was here a few weeks ago.

Are buses that expensive?

[tx4OU]

Sherri says: Sooner Nation Let's Raise the Roof Tuesday Night
http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/c30b55ab-293d-4e1c-a402-8be7cb571c33.jpg

[swok34]

Apparently, OU mascot Boomer became a little overzealous during a recent cheer. Boomer's in the back with the OU doctors with a knee injury. Fortunately, Boomer won't succumb to the treatment given to race horses with bum legs. This pony will be back in action Tuesday night.

http://soonersports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/2009blog.html

Boomer was a HUGE success in getting the crowd 'riled up.

[swok34]

Stacey Dales will be calling Tuesday's regional final for Westwood One radio.

Does anyone know what that is? Westwood One radio?

[ChipperF1]

Westwood one is the official radio network of the NCAA, they are a part of CBS-Westinghouse-Viacom.

[tx4OU]

If you've not heard Ashley in a long while (not counting you, Sooner Nation), you definitely need to watch the short video of her walking interview after she just came out of the Purdue Scouting Meeting.

Look for this picture link in the upper right column here: Paris, Sooners Want Huge Fan Support (http://soonersports.com/)
http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/okla/graphics/video-covers/20090331_aparis2.jpg

She's going all Uncle Sam on us, by saying, "I want you Sooner Fans" (to turn out again for tonight's game). Evidently Pitt's Shavonte Zellous wasn't too thrilled with the Sooner Nation while out on the court. AP5 said they could clearly hear her complaining that they were having to go up against not only the team and the refs, but......................wait for it................................................ .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ................................all the Sooner fans too.

So according to Ashley, the Sooner Nation isn't just there to back them. We're there to be the 6th man for the guys by letting the other team feel our presence.

Be LOUD!
Be Proud!!
Be a part of the Sooner Nation's 6th man Crowd!!!!

[swok34]

I'm not sure who's going to come to the Ford Center and teach the OU fans how to cheer. I can try, and my section got a little bit going Sunday nite, but we are only one section. And everytime I yell, a person dressed in Oklahoma State clothes seems more interested in me than the game. And there's a Connecticut fan in our row that I can't seem to get cheering either.

#1: When OU has the ball on offense, you are quiet. This is not the time to cheer.

#2: When OU is defending the other teams: this is the time to be as loud as you possibly can.


That's it, pretty simple. I typically do not cheer during timeouts, have to save my strength for the important times.
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ok: this is what I think about tonite's game.
and I'm stealing a twitter post I got this morning.........

Courtney Paris has to go back to playing like Courtney Paris.

There can be no "underclassmen" carrying the load business that's been going on.

5 on the court, 5 have to come to play. + Ny + Carlee, Jenny, maybe Abi O. We may or may not have an effective Amanda, that's ok, she can rest a couple more days, we will need her in St. Louis.....

And that is the only way we will be meeting anyone in St. Louis.

[ChipperF1]

Its the perfect storm. A filled Ford Center. Screaming Oklahoma fans in the seats. The excitement the emotion. The other team is the threat nobody expected.

Its the perfect recipe for a choke.

The biggest question tonight is: can the Sooner clear the mechanism, block out the noise and the emotion and get to the business of dispatching Purdue?

I ask because of so much that has swirled up. The money-back promise. The senior year. All the emotion. The home floor, etc.

The Sooners have play some money games on the national stage in the last four year. More often than not, they ended up with parting gifts instead of the grand prize showcase.

Plus, they have an adversary who isn't as skilled, but they are very hungry. Purdue hasn't even been a thought in these precedings. Their conference has been maligned all season. The Boilermakers were last here two years ago. For this team, this game is about reclaiming some national respect. They are going to come out looking to get a win that'll get the whole town talking, much like Louisville did.

I don't envy Oklahoma...or Connecticut tonight as well.

Connecticut's burden? History...Unbeaten. Can they run the table?

Or are the Arizona State Sun Devils tonight's version of the New York Giants?

The Sun Devils all have chips on their shoulder.
They lost their point guard. They lost some games to tourney non-qualifiers. They are seen as one of the many of the Pac-10 who have fallen to the Stanford Borg...yet they beat the Borg this season.

Briann January has been hot on defense and frosty on defense. Danielle Orsillo's had a monster tournament, too..So has Sybil Dosty, who was in Tennessee Orange a couple of years ago.

Arizona State now can be seen as a Pac-10 contender in their own right. They hope to show the composure that carried them past Texas A&M and face the Connecticut Wehrmacht without waver.

No sir. I don't envy either of the favorites tonight. Nor do I think there will be two upset either.

UConn's kids have been here. They live here. When you are the top team, you are the target. Connecticut's kids spend a college career living in the crosshairs.

Oklahoma reminds me of a UConn team that faced the same questions...In 1995. Much like '95 Connecticut, this Oklahoma unit has truly become "Oklahoma's Team". A whole region tonight galvanized around two big centers. A jackrabbit point guard. A merry band of shooters...and a coach with a special style that can't be duplicated.

The very things that joined fans from Darien to Norwalk to Plainville to Williamantic to Putnam...Now join fans from Ardmore to Ada to Yukon to Mustang to Norman to Tallequah.

And like the UConn kids in '95...They will face a regional final...in friendly confines...but they will be challenged. They will perhaps be trailing, they will perhaps be in danger.

Connecticut was in that Regional Final..Virginia had them down double-digits. The stars did there part in mounting a comeback, but it was a key reserve who carried them first. The image if priceless...Jamelle Elliott. The player few talked about when she recruited, getting in Jen Rizzotti and Carla Berube's face. Refusing to let the bow their heads. Making the gritty plays and refusing to let a dream go quietly.

Who will be Oklahoma's Jamelle Elliott? We've seen two in the last few games. Perhaps it will be Ashley Paris? Maybe Whitney Hand or Jenny Vining? Whoever she is in crimson and cream, she will be needed tonight. I'm confident that she will show up.

[Bball Girl]

Halfway down on the page at
Sooners Want Huge Fan Support (http://www.soonersports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/033009aad.html)

is the transcript from the presser - if you haven't read it you should. One of the things I love about Sherri is how articulate she is. While she like all coaches has her share of cliches, they are supported by thoughtful and intelligent statements that tell you so much about the game of basketball and like...WOW.

[swok34]

Don't look for any similar guarantees from the Boilermakers (re: Courtney's guarantee)

"That would not be happening," Purdue senior Natasha Bogdanova said. "I would be washing floors for 25 years. I would have to borrow some money from coach."

:rotflol::rotflol:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090331/SPORTS0602/903310380/1070

[MsProudSooner]

Don't look for any similar guarantees from the Boilermakers (re: Courtney's guarantee)

"That would not be happening," Purdue senior Natasha Bogdanova said. "I would be washing floors for 25 years. I would have to borrow some money from coach."

:rotflol::rotflol:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090331/SPORTS0602/903310380/1070

She's probably an accounting major! :rotflol:

[CrimsonHelmet]

You get an A- for your Oklahoma geography, Chipper!!!!!

[tx4OU]

You get an A- for your Oklahoma geography, Chipper!!!!!
Yes he does!!! However, when trying to cover the State, usually the following towns are used to encompass the topographical boundaries: Idabel to Boise City, Hollis to Picher, Elk City to Sallisaw, and Blackwell to Thackerville. :)

[Bball Girl]

Geez this is hard to watch - no one can shoot. Sorry - but I think there were some very hard fouls by Purdue that were not called :(

Come on OU - don't break our hearts!

[UCONN@BIG12]

They're only down by 5. Just keep fighting for it OU!

[ChipperF1]

The Sooners need to start taking what Purdue is giving them on office. They are trying to prevent anything inside and collapsing on Courtney. Work the ball toward intermediate and long-range shots.

Defensively...Too passive. Don't let them get set to work inside to Hylton. They are doing what Iowa State did last night. Engage their backcourt earlier in the shot clock. Better yet, press them a little. Force the issue, get some turnovers and kick start some transition.

Overall. OU just need to settle down and play ball. Purdue is being very methodical and picking their spots. They are taking advantage of the Sooners playing tight and beating themselves. That is what OU is doing, they are beating themselves.

[tx4OU]

Geez this is hard to watch - no one can shoot. Sorry - but I think there were some very hard fouls by Purdue that were not called :(

Come on OU - don't break our hearts!
No need to apologize Bball Girl. We didn't shoot a FT until the last 1:30 secs of the 1st half. I'm looking away from the ball inside the paint, and the officials are letting Purdue move both Court and Ash out of position. It's even worse whenever the ball gets thrown inside to them.

Sherri's interview at the half was very telling. Said that Purdue got almost half of their pts at the FT line.

I don't think they've missed one yet at the charity stripe.

BUT..........
that's not the real issue. If we were to hit just our layups (DRob mainly) we would be leading by double digits.

Still, I'm not too happy with the officiating. Let's see how we adjust coming out of the lockerroom.

Whitney is playing lights out even though she's not scoring.

[Noah121]

The Sooners have hit a run and now lead 35-31. Come on Sooners, it's a Husker pulling for you too! (I can't believe I'm saying that... my mom might disown me! :rolleyes: )

[ChipperF1]

Courtney gets another double-double 10 points, 11 rodmans...5 blocks..

Smart offensive possesion by Oklahoma...Cut with credibility!

[Noah121]

Followed by a drive, basket, and-one that is good. It's 37-34 OU.

[UCONN@BIG12]

I'll go you one worse. Here's a UCONN fan pulling for you! GO SOONERS!!!

[Noah121]

Coale calls a timeout after a missed Purdue three. It's 37-36.

[ChipperF1]

Talk To The Hand!

[Noah121]

**HONK** Kick ball after OU gave up a second-chance basket on an unsure rebound. It's 48-44 with 7:30 remaining.

LET'S GO SOONERS!

[Noah121]

CP3 frustrates the Purdue shooter and the ball gets stuck for a jump ball. OU ball on the arrow, and it's 56-51 good guys.

Then, a CP3 jumper and the Boilermakers call a timeout. It's 58-51 Oklahoma with 3:41 left.

Come on, ESPN. You don't have to show Bubba after every single play. (Then again, I'm glad that I mostly have the volume off, so that I don't have to hear Boomer Sooner for the 104893937th time. No offense, but that song gets a little old after the...)

Ashley shoots, scores, and is fouled! Keep it up!

**HONK**

[ChipperF1]

The first-ever four-time All-America is getting it done. Roll on Courtney!!!!!

[ChipperF1]

The Daily Oklahoman -- April 1, 2009
COURTNEYZILLA ATTACKS ST. LOUIS

[Noah121]

Timeout Purdue! It's 63-54 OU with 2:23 left. "This is a huge possession for [Purdue]... just so they can gain a little momentum."

[Noah121]

AP5 fouls out but it is probably moot at this point.

[Noah121]

Some time used up... Into the post, Courtney shoots and is fouled on a miss! It's 63-58, OU, with 1:24 left. Gotta make both of these FTs.

[Noah121]

D-Rob got fouled... made the first... MADE THE SECOND. It's 67-60 with 40 seconds left... foul on the rebound... and Campbell fouls out against CP3. This is probably the end! Great job, Sooners!

Enjoy tonight, but come tomorrow, CELEBRATION OVER. The Cardinals are the next victim.

[Noah121]

FINAL SCORE: Oklahoma 74, Purdue 68. YES: There's a Big 12 team that is in the big party! Here we go!

[wildcatfan]

WOO HOO! Congrats Sooners!

I am so happy for Courtney, I am crying for joy right along with her.

:OU:

[Bball Girl]

I'm so nervous - I'll never go to sleep. Those fouls at the end just about did me in.


WAY TO GO SOONERS!

Congratulations :OU: Well done!

[GoofBen]

Way to go {clap-clap}
I could tell when I started yelling @ my TV it really helped to fire you gals up.
Get rested tonight, get the soreness out (from all the hack-jobs you obtained) and on to the FINAL FOUR BABY !!!!

[UCONN@BIG12]

I had confidence you would make it! Great job!!! See you in Saint Louis. Maybe we'll get to see OU play UCONN. Wouldn't that be COOL?!!:)

[giraffespots]

Way to go {clap-clap}
I could tell when I started yelling @ my TV it really helped to fire you gals up.
Get rested tonight, get the soreness out (from all the hack-jobs you obtained) and on to the FINAL FOUR BABY !!!!

Sorry, GoofBen, but I think it was that I got out the kids' pompons and started doing some cheers. I was so nervous I had to do something. Good thing I only did that with a couple of minutes left, those high-flying leg kicks and split-jumps sure do knock the breath out of you. (yeah, I know, that's a visual, just enjoy it ;))

[40ishHorn]

Way to go Sooners! You made the Big 12 proud....don't stop now!

[Jimi]

Souper
Its SWEET to get out of a long board meeting and find an :OU: win.


GO :BIG12:

[swok34]

That had to be one of the longest "regulation" games I have ever sat through. And sure we set an NCAA record for fouls? :D

I did not think it would EVER end, it was definitely the longest 1:30 ever.

Way to go, Sooners.

Courtney stepped up to the plate. YES! I thought Amanda really gave us a lift that we desperately needed..........and D-Rob and Whitney played like they have been playing the whole tournament..........

hell ya, we wanta go to St. Louieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[tx4OU]

Sorry, GoofBen, but I think it was that I got out the kids' pompons and started doing some cheers. I was so nervous I had to do something. Good thing I only did that with a couple of minutes left, those high-flying leg kicks and split-jumps sure do knock the breath out of you. (yeah, I know, that's a visual, just enjoy it ;))
Oh heavens, or should I say a Gatorism: Gussie Gawd.

Now I've got to go to bed with that roaming around in my head. No telling what I'm going to dream about now.:eek:






:p

[tx4OU]

The Daily Oklahoman -- April 1, 2009
COURTNEYZILLA ATTACKS ST. LOUIS
http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/555574/gallery_photo

[Press]

Way to go Sooners!!

[Scamp]

Congratulations, Oklahoma! And hurrah for Courtney, first four-time Associated Press All-American.

[LadyBuff]

Congratulations to :OU: and to Courtney. Now do yourselves even prouder and win the whole thing. Will be cheering for you.

[labcoatguy]

(lol @ tx4OU)

[BearLady]

Congrats, Sooners! :OU:

Way to represent! Now bring it on home.

[swok34]

Have you all seen the speech Sherri gave in the locker room after..........

it's http://www.soonersports.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/040109aaa.html on the right hand side of the page.

[Bball Girl]

Have you all seen the speech Sherri gave in the locker room after..........

it's http://www.soonersports.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/040109aaa.html on the right hand side of the page.

Excellent - thanks for the link.