It's Time...10 questions to start the season

[ChipperF1]

Some questions for the Big 12 people as we get set on the long march to march..


1. Who is the Big 12's best player?

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.

[DblT81]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
Stacy Stephens

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Trisha Skibbe

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Kansas or Iowa State

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
Jia Perkins, Tech's success depends on her consistency

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
Washington at Kansas because that is the first one to come to mind. The other coaches of the bottom 4 are too new to judge without giving them time to build their program. Washington's talent is young but they must show improvement for her to keep the job much longer.

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
I'd pay cash for Stacy Stephens. Can't give up any players.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
Fire the assistant coach who does the scheduling for allowing Geno inroads into Texas for his recruiting purposes.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?
Alesha Robertson

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
He needs lots of time.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.
Neither will happen in our lifetimes.

[kate dawg]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
Kendra Wecker, KSU or Heather Schreiber, UT

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Evan Unrau, Mizzou

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Iowa State

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
I'm going to go with Laurie Koehn...she's got to have a healthy year if K-State has any chance of ever advancing past the first round of the NCAAs.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
Marian Washington, because if they are terrible again, she needs to hang it up.

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
Eh.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
Put the next best thing to Linda Lappe on Taurasi and give Tera Bjorklund the ball all day.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference? Over time or this season? No idea. Either way, I'm not that familiar with newcomers outside of Boulder, so I'll go with CU's Anna Nedovic. Rumor has it she's going to change the way people think about Colorado power forwards. I'd go with Waner, but she's just going to be another brilliant CU point guard in the mold of Sheetz and Nightingale, and that's nothing new.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
No. He just needs time and patience. From what I've read, he's got the right idea.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating. I think that 85% of the time, the anger people have with Big 12 refs is homer-based. So I will say officiating.

[This message has been edited by kate dawg (edited 10-19-2003).]

[35TangoTango]

Interesting questions! Well, all in the name of fun (and with the usual disclaimers - not only do I not have any inside information, but I'm not even particularly bright), here goes. Any attempts to be offbeat are only partly intentional

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?

Golly - pick any of several! Instead, what player is most responsible for elevating her team to its present lofty position? Jamie Carey

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?

Well, from reading Street & Smith's - Jamie Carey! If she's not unsung enough for you, how about Maria Villarroel? Not only unsung, but usually unspelled.


3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?

Which team gains a senior all-american candidate and has room to move up?


4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?

Don't believe in the concept.


5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?

Marion Washington is too cliche an answer - I think she gets to write her own exit script. I think maybe Cindy Stein (if anyone at Missouri cares about WBB).


6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?

Nicole Ohlde - she has skills no one on OU's team can duplicate at this point. I'm too polite to name the person to be traded, but they won't see much playing time (on either team).


7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?

Same as it's always been - we keep coming close, just need a little more personnel and experience.


8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?

Well, they have to be starters, which limits it - Kansas' Lauren Ervin is the best bet. With the unfortunate injury to Anissa Hastings, an outside possibility is Tiffany Jackson.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?

No, and he will be there for the long haul. His record at Ark was not so good that he will be able make an upward move from College Station without first having some success there.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.

I'm with Kate on this one. The officiating would be better if the fans were more knowledgeable.

[ChipperF1]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
Kendra Wecker,Kansas State I could be her press agent. That's how much I like #53

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Megan Mahoney, Kansas State She'd be the feature attraction at many other places.

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Iowa State
If some young upgrade do their part, ISU will make a long WNIT run in March.

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
Cisti Greenwalt, Texas Tech
She came in with All-American sizzle, but as yet to show the steak.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech
3 games vs. Texas last season. Zero wins. That doesn't sit well with the proud folks of Lubbock.

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
Margaret Richards, Alexa Johnson and Jina Johansen to Texas Tech for Erin Grant. But I think Marsha's too Sharp to take a deal like that. But Erin's court savvy and exhuberance would be a great thing on any ballclub but NU's youth and inexperience would make her doubly valuable.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?

My favorite team is Nebraska. I can't answer this.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?

Aleasha Robertson, Texas Tech
This kid is the goods.


9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
No, it's a good opportunity and pieces are in place.
Blair can coach basketball and Moneybags Byrne will get him the facilities before long.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.

[b]Big 12 officiating in my opinion is very good. My chief concern is the constant tinkering and "points of emphasis" the NCAA makes. They are actually doing more harm then good. Quit tinkering and let the officials get back to the basics of what is and is not a foul.

[Bball Girl]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
Some questions for the Big 12 people as we get set on the long march to march..


1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
Jia Perkins when she's on. Kendra Wecker all around

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Jamie Carey

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Kansas

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
Cisti Greenwalt has shown her ability to play ball, but she wimps out way too often...maybe she doesn't like hard nosed DI basketball. Perhaps now that Storo (a MBBplayer) is gone, Cisti will focus...if not she'll find herself on the bench much of the year.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?


6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.

[Bball Girl]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
Some questions for the Big 12 people as we get set on the long march to march..


1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
Jia Perkins when she's on. Kendra Wecker all around

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Jamie Carey

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Texas A&M

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
Cisti Greenwalt has shown her ability to play ball, but she wimps out way too often...maybe she doesn't like hard nosed DI basketball. Perhaps now that Storo (a MBBplayer) is gone, Cisti will focus...if not she'll find herself on the bench much of the year.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
Coach Washington

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
Jamie Carey or Kendra Wecker for Cisti Greenwalt (right now)

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
Set screens for Natalie Ritchie, have Perkins steal them blind and Grant and Perkins with a one-two punch.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?
Aleasha Robertson

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
No way...he's the real deal.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.
Neither...

[Bob_Ballew]

1. Who is the Big XII's best player?

Heather Schreiber

2. Who is the Big XII's best unsung player?

Jolee Ayers

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?

Hopefully Baylor

4. What player is on the hot seat and why?

I would put Steffanie Blackmon on the hot seat because I feel that she has tremendous potential and she needs to step up into the leadership roll for the Lady Bears. My impression is that her mental approach to the game must be taken up a notch or two.

5. What coach is on the hot seat and why?

I really don't feel that one in particular is on the hot seat this year. I have admired Marion Washington over the years and she is entitled to the slump.

6. What player would you trade for and who would you give up?

I would take Caton Hill first because of her attitude, and then Heather Schreiber and then Nicole Ohlde. I guess I would have to trade one of the injured players if I had to give one up.

7. Game plan against UCONN.

Stop their passing game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They pass the ball better than any team in the country. In my opinion, that is their key to success.

8. Biggest impact by a newcomer.

Emily Neimann for the Lady Bears. I don't know enough about the others around the league. I like what I've seen from her so far.

9. Is A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?

No way. He will do fine. Although it will take time.

10. Which will happen first? peace or better officiating?

I am going with peace in the middle east. And we know that ain't gonna happen. Enough said. And I disagree that it is a homer thing. It stinks across the board. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/tongue.gif

[DBLTFarmer]

First a question for Chipper. Why do you think Marsha would be on the hotseat??? or are you trying to set up us Tech fans??

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
Jia Perkins with consistancy, otherwise Kendra Wecker

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Kala Bowers, she doesnt seem to get the press that
Schreiber and Stephens get. If Jody were to take playing
time away from Schreiber or Bowers and give it to TJackson,
I think she is nuts.

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
OKlahoma, Caton Hill

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
Tera Bjorkland, expectations for her may be a bit too
high in Boulder.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
Marion Washington

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
Since this is only a hypothetical, Nina Norman for Erin
Grant. Tech needs a point guard who can score.
(Hopefully, I'll change my mind after a couple of games.)

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
Cut off passing lanes and use my best defenders to guard
Diana in a rotation.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?
Ill have to say Alesha Robertson. She could be the FOY.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
Probably, but he's got a good a shot as anyone.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.
Peace in the middle east. Doesnt matter how much the
officials improve, we will always disagree with calls.

[BBallFan]

Hey Soonerman, I assume you haven't seen the OU players in action for awhile???? hmmmm,..... maybe they don't have a Nicole Ohlde, but I think I agree with Coach Coale that this is their most talented and deep team from top to bottom yet.

[cygal]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
-Kendra Wecker

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
-Megan Mahoney

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
-Iowa State

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
-Laurie Koehn...time to have a good year.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
-Deb Patterson (always seem to underachieve) and Marion Washington (has a solid group coming in...can she do anything with them?)

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
-Stacy Stephens, I'll take...wouldn't give up any of my Clones

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
-don't let Diana T touch the ball..."we have Diana and they don't" ~ Geno

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?
-Lindsey Medders. Iowa State's new point from California. They said she can play, Fennelly's giving her the opportunity, and the Clones need a REAL point guard to be successful this year.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
-yes

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.
-for sure peace in the Middle East

[35TangoTango]

Originally posted by BBallFan:
Hey Soonerman, I assume you haven't seen the OU players in action for awhile????
no.
hmmmm,..... maybe they don't have a Nicole Ohlde, but I think I agree with Coach Coale that this is their most talented and deep team from top to bottom yet.
yes.

And since we're discussing Gary Blair, his karma for failing to recruit (Arkansas player of the year) Krista Sanchez at Arkansas, is to have to face her twice a year at aTm!

[SKATERBOY]

1. Best player in the big12
Stacy Stephens-longer she goes the stronger she gets
2. Big 12 best unsung player
Tocarra Williams
3. Team with biggest improvement
OU
4. Player's on the hot seat
Jia Perkins will have to carry her team.Will have to be more consistant that last year. Cisti cant be a sissy anymore needs to toughen up
5. Coach on the hot seat
Kim Mulkey-Robertson get Baylor back where it can be
6. Player trade
Would not trade any of my Longhorns but I wish we had Sophia-Young because she has great rebounding & shot block abilities like our Anissa Hastings had who is out for the year.
7. Playing Uconn
We played them and lost by 2 - they had Diana the rest was history
8. Newcomer with greatest impact
Laren Ervin

[Dale8R]

A small quibble from here in the Ozarks ~~ Krista Sanchez was actually CO-player of the year, an honor she shared with Danielle Allen of Harrison who did sign with the Lady'Backs. Now I did hear (but can't verify) that Allen actually had one more vote, but they decided to call it a tie.

At any rate, it's for sure that Blair's club is going to have to face Sanchez. Time will tell how much that will mean.

Oh yeah, the VOTE.

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
The Ol' Crystal Ball says Kansas State ~~ Kendra Wecker 1 & Nicole Ohlde 2 or maybe Ohlde 1 & Wecker 2. Take your pick.

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
You can make a case for Mahoney, Skibbe, Ayers-Curry, or Unrau, but I'll say Stretch James. Who would I LIKE it to be? Melanie Fisher.

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Hmmm. I'd like to say Oklahoma State, but . . . I really don't know.

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why? No answer

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why? No answer

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade? Here I'm going to bend the rules. No trades, but if any team could acquire any player from OUTSIDE the Big 12, I'd say Guiliana Mendiola would make Kansas State a front runner for the National Championship. She is the one piece they are missing. Heck, she'd make winners out of most of the teams ~~ or die trying. I deliberately avoided picking whatsername.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be? Punt . . . preferably away from whatsername.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference? I can only go on what I have read and heard, but I'll go for Alesha Robertson. Any kid who has her picture taken in her basketball uniform with a fishing rod in her hand has to be all right.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
Nope. Let's check this one again at midseason.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating. No answer to this one. Sports help to keep the cares of the world at bay. For those few precious hours in the gym, the only war is between the two teams, and they all walk away after shaking hands.

[Bevo]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?

There are several who can be considered, but I'll go with Heather Schreiber because of her versatility (and I'm a homer). She can hurt you inside or out, is a fierce rebounder, and generally keeps her cool when the pressure is on. Kendra Wecker has those same qualities.

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?

Hmm...Kala Bowers and Megan Mahoney are both fabulous players that get less attention than several of their teammates.

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?

Texas A&M. I think Blair will have the Aggies a lot more competitive this year.

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?

The TTU posts. One or more of that group will have to replace Pierson's contributions. Greenwalt, Clark, Davis, Ayers-Curry, who will step up?

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?

I really don't think any of them are, in terms of being in danger of losing their jobs. There will be pressure, however. Conradt will have the pressure that comes with high expectations. Fennelly and Washington will have the pressure of trying to return their teams to the upper echelon of the conference standings. Blair will have the pressure of taking over and building a program.

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?

Wouldn't trade at this point. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?

I think we played them well in Atlanta. One thing I would try to improve on is preparing for how physical Taurasi is at using screens to get open. I've not seen many players as good at running her defender into the screen and getting free from it. Also would set up Carey or Schreiber for the last shot.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?

Tiffany Jackson, especially with Hastings out now.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?

No - see previous response.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.

I like Dale8R's answer.

[BEVOFAN2]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player? Stacy Stephens

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung hero? Kala Bowers

Who is http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/ut.gif best unsung hero? Jodi Bell (have you witnessed her team spirit!!)

3. Which team will make biggest improvement?
Kansas State or Texas A&M

4. What player on hot seat---Cisti Greenwald

5. What Coach -- Conradt because of high expectations, Marion Washington because she needs to start putting up wins.

6. Trade any player - Sorry http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/ut.gif doesn't need too, and I wouldn't trade any of them.

7. (a) Host a party for them the night before -- all nite long ....
(b) have different refs for the last 6 minutes of the game ... oh wait that was UCONN's game plan....
(c) play harder and just beat the furballs out of them http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

8. Newcomer - Tiffany Jackson especially now since Annisa is out http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/frown.gif

9. A&M nope Gary Blair will be a coach to lookout for in a couple of years.

10. Peace in the Middle East!!!!!!!!!!!

[Skerfan]

Okay -- I've got to do it -- you all will make fun of me, but I'm going to predict that the Huskers will be the most improved team in the Big Twelve conference. We'll see at the end of the season.

[ChipperF1]

I wouldn't laugh at you Skerfan, the Huskers will be 5 wins better. They'll still finish last in league play, but they will be a more competitive outfit.

The Husker 8-year plan goes something like this.

2003-2004....... Competitiveness. We won't win much, but the team will be a tougher mark than the last three season. A successful year would be 14 wins. .500 or better is above expectations.

2004-2005....... Retooled starting unit. Hopefully recruiting yielded a solid harvest. The team takes another step up to WNIT territory.

2005-2006....... The '03 recruiting class are now juniors and they payoff with a 20-win year and an NCAA bid and turns heads doing it. The team is definitely in Big 12 contention and battling for a conference title.

2006-2007....... The '03 recruiting class comes off a Sweet 16 in '05-'06 and equals or improves on it for '07. The effect is seen in the stands as Nebraska sets new records for season ticket sales and attendance. Connie Yori's contract is renewed for 4 more years and Nebraska gets a recruiting class of shear sneaker-pimp Blue Starousity.

post-2007.......

March 10, 2009...Nebraska wins first Big 12 Tournament Championship, defeating Iowa State. Season ends three weeks later in a loss to Michigan in the NCAA Regional Finals.

March 29, 2010...Nebraska's first Final Four appearance. Lost to Tennessee in national semifinal.

April 1, 2011....Nebraska defeats Connecticut for NCAA Championship, continuing a streak of five straight national championships in womens basketball for the Big 12.

[Jennifer]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player? Kendra Wecker

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player? Megan Mahoney

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement? OU

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why? NA

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why? NA

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
I wouldn't trade away anyone, but it would be nice to have Kendra Wecker, among others


7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
I don't know. There's a good reason I'm not a coach!

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference? So many new ones...I'll say Krista Sanchez

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair? Nope

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.

[AusTech]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player?
So many players to choose from. However, I'll go with Stacey Stephens.

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?
Again, any number of players could be chose for this one. I'll go with Trisha Skibbe.

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement?
Tie between OU and Iowa St.

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why?
Tech's post players, esp. Cisti.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?
Washington...talented frosh and mounting frustration with the slump. Conradt...rough fan base and sky high expectations. Fennelly...pressure is on to bring ISU back to where fans expect the program to be. All three are tremendous coaching talents and I expect them to do well.

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?
No trades, my Lady Raiders look good.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?
Start physical and stay physical.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?
No question it will be Alesha Robertson at Tech. Wait until you see her game!

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?
No, but the Big 12 may be. I don't see him being able to pull any kind of fan base and A&M doesn't have the draw to wcbb recruits that UT and Tech have.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.
Improved officiating sadly enough.

[Cowgirlfan]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player? I guess I have to agree with the coaches and say Ohlde.

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player? Depends on the definition of unsung. I'd say Skibbe, since I don't think she gets the respect she deserves -- last year she was the only player on that team and still put up pretty good numbers. She got NO votes for preseason All Big 12.

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement? I said in the other post OSU, and I'm sticking with that. They of course have a lot of room for improvement, so that is part of it.

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why? Not sure exactly what this means, but if it means who needs to prove the most, I honestly cannot think of a good answer. I guess Ohlde needs to show why she was preseason player of the year again.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why? Has to be Washington at Kansas. Can she get her team to be decent again?

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade? I'd love to have several players, but I guess again, Ohlde would be my first choice. Imagine both she and Skibbe down on the blocks. I would give up the last girl on our bench for her, of course. Not sure who that would be yet.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be? Dive into Taurausi's knees early and often to take her out of the game. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif No, seriously, I would do what Nova did (it was Villanova, right?) and slow down the game as much as possible and basically try to minimize mistakes.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference? Elizangela Gomes was voted newcomer of the year, I have no reason not to go with the coaches on that one. I sure hope so, for the Cowgirls' sake.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair? This year, at least, it will be. But honestly, I would rather be there than be at Baylor, where things just keep getting worse and worse (on the men's side, of course). I think he has proven he can do some things. He'll get it going.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating. Aren't both listed as signs of the apocolypse in the Bible?

[Jimi]

by ChipperF1:
Some questions for the Big 12 people as we get set on the long march to march..

1. Who is the Big 12's best player? Nicole Ohlde (now what did you think I was going to say?)

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player? Its weird to say because she does get a lot of credit from knowledgable fans but I think Jia Perkins does not get enough credit from wcbb in general. She is a FANTASTIC player. I wish she was a Wildcat!

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement? aTm! They have a long way to go but Blair will begin the process towards pride and competitiveness this year. It may not show up in W's but the future begins now.

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why? Chelsea Domenico because point guard is so key to KSU improvement this year.

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why? Marion Washington because there are a lot of KU backers who no longer support her. I have heard it said by some that she is out no matter how much improvement KU shows this year. I doubt its that bad but its clear she has a hill to clime and if anything goes wrong it will likely be used against her.

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would you try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade? Jia Perkins. It would pain me greatly, but to get her I would be willing to trade Brie Madden since we do have serval quality post players.

7. If you were head coach of your favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be? Play them staight up the same as we play all season and keep the troops fresh by substituting regularly. Let UConn worry about adjusting to us as much as the other way around. It would not take a perfect game but it would take all out effort. Now aren't you glad Deb Patterson is the coach and not me?

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference? Twiggy McIntyre. She is the Wildcats missing link.

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair? Nope. The road up starts now. On the other hand he is going to have a major task to get the Aggie fans on board.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating. In my view, improvement in B-12 officiating (provided we win). http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[JohnHenry]

1. Who is the Big 12's best player? Wecker and Schreiber

2. Who is the Big 12's best unsung player?Kala Bowers. She'd be a franchise player for at least 5 or 6 other Big 12 teams

3. Which team will make the biggest improvement? OSU definitely; A&M possibly, and if the 'ringers' are eligible, the fightin' Huskers of Chipperland! - nowhere to go but up and Yori is a competent coach

4. What player is on the hot seat this year and why? Jia Perkins - LR fans are anxious to for a title and haven't gone this long without one in awhile, and Perkins is the leader of her team as well as it's heart and soul... As Jia goes, so go the LRs

5. What coach is on the hot seat this year and why?Bill Fennelly. I have to agree with what Michelle Voepel said in Dallas: Bill hasn't kept up recruiting-wise with the rest of the league, and this began to show last year with a serous lack of depth. ISU is the only B12 program that looks to be heading downhill right now

6. If you could trade for any player in the Big 12 who would try to acquire and who would you give up for your team in trade?Well, Kendra frickin' Wecker. Duh. I'd trade Kalee Carey and Coco Reed for her, provided I could get them back at a later date. Deb wisely turned me down, saying something about me getting my head out of my ass as she hung up the phone. Guess that's why she's a top 10 coach and i'm not...no matter. We get that monkey off our back first of March in Austin.

7. If you were head coach of you favorite team, and you had to play Connecticut what would your game plan be?2 lockdown defenders with a size advantage will rotate on Taurasi, like white on rice, all game. Play hack-a-shaq if need be. Keep 4-5 scorers on the floor, spread it out and make UConn run around alot. Control and change the tempo as we see fit by subbing and creating good matchups. We have the personnel. Feed the Beast - force UConn to foul Stephens and once they clamp down, start raining 3s with reckless abandon. Make TJ the secret weapon on the baseline. Beat them by 20 points. Bounce the ball off of Geno's helmet-hair whenever possible, and afterwards, tell him to shut his piehole unless he wants to say "well, we have Diana Taurasi, and they STILL KICKED OUR ASS." That is all.

8. What newcomer do you see having the biggest impact on the conference?My instinct is to say Ervin, TJ, or Robertson, but I bet it's somebody else totally under the radar

9. Is Texas A&M too much to bear for Gary Blair?Nah. Looks like he's perfect for that gig. I bet they win a few more than last year, maybe even pull an upset or two.

10. What will happen first? Peace in the Middle East or a marked improvement in Big 12 officiating.Neither. Like the mythical Cubs-Red Sox Series, the world would have to come to an end if either of those things came to pass...



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