Oklahoma has to be feeling good...

[YCN]

about stealing a victory from the jaws of defeat in Waco, and starting the Big 12 schedule 4-1. Now the next two games are really tough with Texas and KSU in Norman.

Considering that their conference record seems to be put together with paper clips and bubble gum, I guess it would be wishful thinking to even think about a split in the next two games.

I will say that the Sooners have certainly found some resourceful ways to win. So far they are the only conference team with 3 road wins, and if they can somehow steal one more that they won't be expected to win, that would put them in good position to possibly go 6-2 in Big 12 road games this year. That is better than my most optimistic dreams for this season.

Of course it won't be so impressive if they go 3-5 at home. OU will need to come out firing on all cylinders to have a chance to win either of these next two games, and considering they've rarely had more than 3 players playing really well at the same time, it doesn't seem likely to start now.

[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 01-26-2003).]

[swok34]

I don't know.....this game today gave them a HUGE boost of confidence that they definitely were needing.

I don't think we have a chance at beating Kansas State, and after watching Texas yesterday....I think we need all the confidence we can muster http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 01-26-2003).]

[schooner2]

We always seem to play Texas tough at home. But Texas' frontcourt should give OU all types of fits and could possibly just totally dominate us.

KSU just has talent eons beyond what the Sooners have. OU will be stealing a victory if we can win either of the next two. Can't put that past the Sooners - Sooner Magic is alive and well after today's game http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif !!

[bornred51]

The key to texas game for the sooners is, play them like last year in Norman. Put extreme pressure on their guards at mid-court so as to deny the entry passes. If we can accomplish that, we have a chance. Otherwise Schreiber and Stephens will eat us alive. I don't see Texas coming in all that confident. They are bigger, but we're faster......

[schooner2]

Originally posted by bornred51:
I don't see Texas coming in all that confident. They are bigger, but we're faster......

I do. They almost beat the 4th ranked team in the country on the 4th ranked team's homecourt. Texas is playing it's best ball of the season right now.

[TRH]

I think that Texas will come to Norman confident in their ability, after all Nina Norman does own the place. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gifYou have to be confident before you can be good. But, I certainly do not expect them to make the mistake of taking OU lightly.

I'm not sure that last years strategy will be as effective this year. These Texas guards handle pressure much better than last year. They are quicker, faster, and with Jamie Carey make much better decisions.

Texas should win. But, what you have to look for is that UT will not play anyone taller than 6-2, there is not a lot of depth at the post if you can get them in foul trouble, and for some reason they still have not mastered an offensive game against a zone.

No secrets there. And, I believe Texas will win. But, OU has quality players who also expect to win. It should be a good game.

[Lone Star Grizzly]

Congrats to the Sooners, they played hard to the end. Just another example of the wars each day in Big XII WBB. I wonder what would have happened if the official makes the call at the end. After Jackson's clutch 3-pointer, Richards is running the end line for the throw-in, when an OU defender runs smooth over Stratten in front of an official. If the foul is called, Stratten, who is deadly from the foul line, has a chance to win for the Lady Bears. The officials were already wore out from being blistered by both KMR and Coale for some very poor officiating, so maybe they just wanted to exit stage left. Oh well, life is full of what ifs.

I think the next two games in Norman should be jim dandies. If you can not get excited about playing UT and KSU, then you need to check to see if you have a pulse. Initially I would give the edge to UT and KSU, but as schooner points out, Sooner Magic has not lost any of its potency, as we saw in Waco Sunday.

[This message has been edited by Lone Star Grizzly (edited 01-28-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Lone Star Grizzly (edited 01-28-2003).]

[carolann]

I agree with TRH that Texas guards do much better against pressure than last year. We also have better perimeter shooting. It's true the Longhorns have had trouble against zone defenses but I think Jamie Carey really helps with that problem.

As for height, the Sooners don't have much either. Preston and Schucknecht are both listed at about 6'3"? If Scucknecht gets into foul trouble or is ineffective, Conradt will have match-up choices galore. Texas can really go small if they want.

IMO,OU will need more than guard play to win. They will need good performances from Schucknecht and their other front court players.

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by Lone Star Grizzly:
Richards is running the end line for the throw-in, when an OU defender runs smooth over Stratten in front of an official. If the foul is called, Stratten, who is deadly from the foul line, has a chance to win for the Lady Bears.


Which leaves me to wonder if it was an acting job by Stratton or indeed a foul. COach Coale had already warned Preston to be looking for a pick...they knew it was coming.

[35TangoTango]

Originally posted by Lone Star Grizzly:
Richards is running the end line for the throw-in, when an OU defender runs smooth over Stratten in front of an official. If the foul is called, Stratten, who is deadly from the foul line, has a chance to win for the Lady Bears.

This is old news, but as Jennifer pointed out, this play was no surprise to anyone; not to the Official, who was right in front of the play because KMR warned him it was coming, and not to Oklahoma, because Coach Coale had seen it before and anticipated it. In spite of Stratten's theatrics, no foul was called because no foul was committed. The last two plays of the game went Oklahoma's way because Coale was a step ahead all the way.

[swok34]

Kim didn't spend a lot of time arguing about at the end of the game.....and the camera angle was too far to see if Stratton was indeed set.

The whole game was marred by questionable calls.

[JohnHenry]

Texas's guards will be just fine. They will try to shut down Jackson & Villa and see what the Sooners can come up with down low & inside. My guess is a little here and there, with the crowd's encouragement, but unless they can get Stephens & Schreiber in foul trouble, it could get ugly. We can rotate very quick guards on OU's backcourt all night.

Hope it's a good game. I think tonight it'll be Bowers who takes over - she's got to be pissed about that last shot @ KSU, and she's an Okie...

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http://www.texassports.com/images/photo_gallery/2002_03/001/wbb_122102/images/last_shot.jpg

[BEAR SKIN]

"This is old news, but as Jennifer pointed out, this play was no surprise to anyone; not to the Official, who was right in front of the play because KMR warned him it was coming, and not to Oklahoma, because Coach Coale had seen it before and anticipated it. In spite of Stratten's theatrics, no foul was called because no foul was committed. The last two plays of the game went Oklahoma's way because Coale was a step ahead all the way."

Theatrics?? The camera angle may have been bad, I don't know since I wasn't watching TV; I was in my courtside seat watching the play live. There were no theatrics involved; not a simple bump and flop. The OU defender didn't just bump Stratton, she flat ran over her, being prewarned or not.

Lucky bounce on the three, yes. Bad no call at two seconds, yes. HOWEVER, the game is over, and it is just a game. The lady Bears (not the bad refs) lost it by allowing their lead to evaporate and set up the last few seconds. We should, statistically, get our break to win a game which some will blame on the refs.

Meanwhile, I'll just enjoy the great game that's played by the players.

[Bevo]

Originally posted by JohnHenry:


I think tonight it'll be Bowers who takes over - she's got to be pissed about that last shot @ KSU, and she's an Okie...



And she had a great game in Norman last year as well.

[anntaylor]

I think chances are good that Bowers will have family members in attendance & she will want to put on a good show for them.

Go Kala & Go Horns!

[swok34]

um........no,no..tonite, it'll be Antoinette Wadsworth who comes off the bench out of nowhere and notches a double-double. And all will be saying...there's that girl everyone told us about last year that can jump small buildings.

One can hope, and she's a Texan http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 01-29-2003).]

[Press]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by swok34:
[B]

One can hope, and she's a Texan http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

Hmm, what would OU athletics be without Texas! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by Press (edited 01-29-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Press (edited 01-29-2003).]

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by Press:

Hmm, what would OU athletics be without Texas! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
[This message has been edited by Press (edited 01-29-2003).]



Hey now. Everyone knows that the DFW Metroplex is actually southern Oklahoma. It sure seems that ways sometimes. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif I seem to know more transplanted Okies than actual Texans!