Dales

[schooner2]

Thanks to whoever posted the Dales article on the home page titled "Touch of Senioritis". The Daily Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson has dared to ask what a lot of people have been thinking but not saying out loud in Soonerland. Exactly what is going on with Dales this season?

I think the article does an excellent job of talking about this issue and questioning if it really is an issue. Afterall her stats are only down barely in a couple of categories. And the article suggests why we have this impression that Dales is struggling a bit this year may be because in the two nationally televised games against Purdue and UCONN is when Dales really struggled.

Plus, OU simply hasn't needed Dales to take over games as much as she did last season. OU has a lot of firepower and can rely on others more than before.

I will offer up one additional idea. The fact that Dales is playing point guard much, much less this season means you are not constantly looking at Dales and watching her lead the team on the floor. And in a way, this also seems to give an impression that she doesn't have as much to do with each and every play on the floor.

Regardless, she is still a very integral part of the team's success. How's that for an understatement?

[swok34]

Plus, OU simply hasn't needed Dales to take over games as much as she did last season. OU has a lot of firepower and can rely on others more than before

I agree Carlson does a great job stating out loud the question we've all been asking......and like schooner mentioned, she's pretty much on the same track as last year......

I agree wholeheartedly with your statement I bolded.....I think the focus of the team is not much on Stacey, but all 5 on the floor have the capability to take over a game......plus we have Dionnah, who to me is a "purer" point guard than Stacey, who is so versatile at so many postions.....I really think Dionnah has the potential to be the best "pure" point that OU has ever had.
Her court vision is incredible.

[Bark]

Here a great article on Dales in the Women's Basketball Journal. Hope this link works, if not cut & paste, OU fans, it's worth in.
http://www.womensbball.com/dales.htm

[Jennifer]

Thanks for posting that, Bark. Great article.

I must confess, I have wondered what's happened to Stacy this year. But, I think so much of what she brings to the court doesn't show up in the stats. Plus all of the stuff that has already been mentioned-by Carlson's article and Chris' point about her playing less of the PG spot. She'll be fine. Caufield has really improved her game over last year--so maybe that's taking away from Stacy's scoring. Dionnah has quite a few assists--so less for Stacy. They are more of a team this year and have more options. I do think at times she tries to take to much upon herself--at least it appears that way. Anyhow, now that conference play is fully underway, I expect we'll be seeing better things from her.

[Press]

I've wondered myself about Dales' numbers this year, certainly not what they have been, but OU certainly needs her out there on the court because she's such a great leader. I think every team in the country would like a player like Dales, whether she cored double figures or not. Her basketball IQ is very high and rubs off on the other players.

[carolann]

I read an interesting (to me, at least) note in the WBB article on Dales. The assistant coach, Pam DeCosta, is now on the staff at Kansas. Coincidentally (?), the Kansas recruiting class for next year looks quite good.