Kansas State - Oklahoma

[YCN]

To start the conversation, I just love set shot 3-pointers.

There's something quaint about that.

[YCN]

Did I say something about set shot threes?

I guess I did...

[YCN]

I must be on Mars. This isn't happening, is it?

Leah Rush has been automatic to the extreme. 14 points and we aren't to the 10 minute point?!!!!

[YCN]

OU 32-KSU 20.

Don't anybody light a match or we will all explode.

UN-freaking believable!

[YCN]

I want to marry Leah Rush. Yes, she's much younger than me.

But her earnings potential is much better than mine.

Good grief!

[YCN]

OU has scored 39 points in the first 12 minutes of the game.

That isn't ridiculous, that is extreme.

[Jennifer]

I'm in shock. I don't want to say anything yet, there's still a lot of game to be played and KSU has the potential to be explosive.

Leah--what can you say? Love her game.

[MWC_Sooner]

In shock here too. Wow. Hope we keep lighting it up!

[Jennifer]

IF someone were to tell me that at the half, Caton and Dionnah would be scoreless, I'd be thinking we were in a big hole. A really, really big hole.

I'm still nervous. I expect KSU to come out firing and strong in the 2nd. 14 pts isn't much vs. them. No more 3s for Koehn!!!

[horntooter]

At the half: 49-35 OU. Who'da thunk? OU is hitting 60-some%.

[MWC_Sooner]

KSU closed the half hitting 2 lay-ups. Can't let them continue that in the 2nd. Can't believe we have the rebound edge, 20-10.

[YCN]

This game is over. OU KNOWS how to protect a big halftime lead.

[MWC_Sooner]

YCN, still alot of time left and Rush has 3 fouls.

[MWC_Sooner]

61-49 w/ 7:11 left. OU coming out of a scoring drought. Getting good!

[binchy]

Unreal.

I thought my Sooners would be tired....I was wrong.

Fave play of the game: Di's block on Wecker.

Bring on Texas.

[Jennifer]

woohoO! What a game by the Sooners. They didn't look like those legs were tired at all.
WHat a great all around effort by everyone--Erin's D and timely 3's, DIonnah's normal self, Caton's leadership, rebounding, Def, and desire, Leah's shooting and defense. Wow. I love this team! Oh, and Maria's shooting and rebounding. That girl just has a nose for the ball. I'm on cloud 9.

Can't wait for Saturday. Boomer SOoner!!!

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by binchy:
Fave play of the game: Di's block on Wecker.


Oh yeah, I forgot about that. That was sweet! Di is our leading shot blocker.

[NormanGlenn]

Some folks predicted last that OU would have tired legs tonite. I laughed when I read those predictions. With Tim Overman as the Strength & Condition Coach I doubt there is a team in the conference that is in better condition. It was very obvious that KSU was the one dragging in the 2nd half tonite, especially Olde.

[Bball Girl]

Wow...what a game by OU, they came out shooting and KSU caught the deer in the headlights disease that plagued Tech. I expected this to be a good game, but honestly felt KSU would pull it out...I couldn't imagine KSU playing like Tech did. Sherri did an awesome job on this one not to mention the players.

[DblT81]

Hey Bbgirl, et al, I'm looking forward to the report on the annual meeting. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

I know you all must be tired, so I'll be patient. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[35TangoTango]

Unnnn-beeee-lievable!!!!! What a beginning! Leah screaming "give me the ball!". Maria screaming the same thing in Spanish!! On fire!! As good a stretch of basketball I have EVER seen an OU team play! Then when they cooled off, could they hold a lead? Well if this team knows anything, it's how to play defense!

Through all the second half, even when the lid was on the basket, OU never lost its composure, never lost its concentration; just a beautiful job overall.

Sorry, JIMI, this night was ours. I think maybe KSU peaked a night too soon.

Chipper - you look so much better in RED!

Seriously, now even before the finals, what does this do for OU's seeding. My understanding is that the committee looks heavily at the performance in the last 10 games. If so, I would say that OU is a lock for a #4 seed, and an even chance for a #3.

I know that this will anger some, but I think it would be a travesty for OU to be seeded lower than either Colorado or Tech.

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by soonerman:
Seriously, now even before the finals, what does this do for OU's seeding. My understanding is that the committee looks heavily at the performance in the last 10 games. If so, I would say that OU is a lock for a #4 seed, and an even chance for a #3.

I know that this will anger some, but I think it would be a travesty for OU to be seeded lower than either Colorado or Tech.

IF OU is a 4, and they make the sweet 16, they will be playing at home with a potential regional final against a #1 seed. I don't know of any coach who would not be upset at that prospect--going to Norman to play a hot team on their home court. I wonder if because of this, OU would either get bumped up to the last #3 or down to a #5.
I recall that last year their were some seemingly 'adjusting' of the seeds to keep certain situations from happening.
Of course, it could just depend on what happens Saturday.

And I agree, OU should at least be seeded equal to Tech and Colorado.

[35TangoTango]

Originally posted by Jennifer:
IF OU is a 4, and they make the sweet 16, they will be playing at home with a potential regional final against a #1 seed.

Aren't there 4 4-team regionals? So assuming no upsets, each regional would have a 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 first game? So the difference between a 4th and 3rd seed would be whether OU plays #1 in the first game or finals. Or have I missed something?

[dem]

That's correct, assuming no upsets.

[dem]

Umm . . . that is, assuming no upsets UNTIL OU (if seeded #3) beats the #2 seed in the Regional Semifinal.

[This message has been edited by dem (edited 03-11-2004).]

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by soonerman:
Aren't there 4 4-team regionals? So assuming no upsets, each regional would have a 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 first game? So the difference between a 4th and 3rd seed would be whether OU plays #1 in the first game or finals. Or have I missed something?



yeah, I realized (somewhat) my blunder when I went to bed last night. It was late, and I was still giddy. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

So, back to my original point--will this keep OU from being a 3 or 4 just so a #1 doesn't have to play on their home court, assuming they were to both make that game? Or would OU as a #3 be OK, since the assumption would be that they would lose to the #2 seed and it wouldn't be an issue?

[Bob_Ballew]

Congrats go out to Leah Rush and Maria Villareal for outstanding performances. Wow! I really enjoyed this one.

[35TangoTango]

Originally posted by Jennifer:
So, back to my original point--will this keep OU from being a 3 or 4 just so a #1 doesn't have to play on their home court, assuming they were to both make that game? Or would OU as a #3 be OK, since the assumption would be that they would lose to the #2 seed and it wouldn't be an issue?

Interestingly enough, one of the things Mechelle talked about at Sonny's was the travesty of the current system. Yes, assuming that Oklahoma is a #3 or #4 seed, and assuming they win their first two games, two or three higher seeded teams are going to have to play on a lower seeded team's home court! Even if it is my team, I have to agree that it's just wrong!

Mechelle said she had discussed it with someone at NCAA, and their answer was that over the years, it would all even out. That's not much consolation to the seniors that won't be around then!

And it also tempts the Committee to play politics with the seeding! Do you give OU difficult matchups in the first two games, hoping they don't make it back to their home site and cause a controversy, or do you give them an easy ride, knowing that if they get back you're going to sell 23,000 tickets over two sessions?

[YCN]

I don't think there would be any rational justification for OU not being at least a 4 seed. Their RPI is 17, they played a quality schedule, they are 8-2 in their last 10 games, their RPI can't fall even if they lose to Texas, and only Texas out of all the teams in the country, has more top 25 wins since January than OU.

And if you scrutinize the records of the teams in front of OU in the RPI, you will find several teams that simply haven't played well enough to be seeded higher than OU.

The Sooners can't lose a #4 seed right now, but if the selection committee decided to politic and drop them to a 5, OU would still likely get back to Norman with the way they have been playing lately.

More critical right now is where OU is placed in a subregional. They likely won't be in the same sub with another Big 12 team, since the subs consist of seeds 1,8,9,16; seeds 2,7,10,15; seeds 3,6,11,14; and seeds 4,5,12,13. As a 3 seed OU could only see Missouri as an 11, unless the committee decided to invite more Big 12 teams. As a 4 or 5 seed, OU again would only see somebody that didn't finish in the top 6 in the Big 12.

Right now I'd be very surprised if any of Texas, KSU, CU, Tech, Baylor and OU had higher than a 4 seed. While CU has lost 5 straight games to top 25 teams, those losses consisted of home losses to Texas and KSU, and losses at OU, at Tech, and in the Big 12 tournament to OU. That's not the same as losing 5 in a row to Villanova, Rutgers and Boston College. A team that finished third in the Big 12 this year is going to get a top 4 seed, period.

As far as Tech goes, yes they lost to Baylor who had already lost at home and on the road against Tech. The Baylor win merely showed once again how strong this conference is. Tech is still 6-4 in their last 10, and their 4 losses have all been top 25 opponents. If you read my post "Fairly useless statistical trivia" you can see that Tech has played 8 top 25 teams since January, two more than any other team in the top 25. To go 6-4 against that lineup after losing a potential All-American senior player and your everyday impact post player is simply amazing. The committee will reward Tech for what they have accomplished, and I expect them to get a 3 seed, while a 2 is still possible.

And Texas, Baylor, OU and KSU need no explaining at all. All four teams are very clearly among the top 16 in the country and all will get high seeds unless gerrymandering occurs.


[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 03-12-2004).]

[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 03-12-2004).]

[Bball Girl]

What will the committee do with the Big 12 after we've all beat each other up. It will be most interesting to see how they will reward OU for their play in Feb/March. Tech and CU missed their chances at a #2 seed and KSU locked in a #2. Baylor improved their lot and as did OU. The Big 12 may take up all the #3 seeds...

OU was just set on go in the first half...Leah Rush was on fire...what a cool thing for that young woman.

I felt bad for KSU and their fans...a really hard game to take after the Mizzou game.

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by Bball Girl:
I felt bad for KSU and their fans...a really hard game to take after the Mizzou game.

Actually, I felt for them a little bit myself. They seem like a great bunch of young ladies, and I'm sure it's not the way Ohlde wanted to end her Big 12 playing.

And for the fans--sorry Jimi. Here's to KSU making a great showing in the Big Dance!

So, as for seeds, could it turn out like:
1-Texas
2-Kansas State, or would they drop to a 3?
3-Colorado
3-Texas Tech
3-Baylor
3-Oklahoma if KSU is a 2 or a 4

Will Tech or CU drop to a 4? Sunday will be interesting.

[Raider*61]

Leah Rush...Dang! I never have been so wrong on a player in my life. After watching her play in High School and AAU.. I just thought she would never be able to make it at the College level. BOY AM I DUMB..I don't know as much as I thought! LOL..Leah is a player! She is a much beter athlete than she looked like in HS...OU is playing awesome right now..My pick to win Sat is OU...I love the way they're playing...I pick them to make it all the way to the final 4!

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by Raider*61:
Leah Rush...Dang! I never have been so wrong on a player in my life. After watching her play in High School and AAU.. I just thought she would never be able to make it at the College level. BOY AM I DUMB..I don't know as much as I thought! LOL..Leah is a player! She is a much beter athlete than she looked like in HS...OU is playing awesome right now..My pick to win Sat is OU...I love the way they're playing...I pick them to make it all the way to the final 4!

LOL Raider. I guess there is a reason the like of Coach Sharp and Coach Coale are paid the big bucks and not you, eh? http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/biggrin.gif just teasing ya.

I for one am really excited about seeing her play for another 3 years.

[Raider*61]

Thanks Jennifer..I guess that's why they get paid to coach and it costs me a fortune to coach...LOL. She's going to be special.. I was bad wrong on her! OU is playing great at the right time. I sure wish she was playing for the good guys...LOL.

[swok34]

wow, I was SOOOOOO wrong.

Sheri had a plan and I think in order for that game plan to work...the sooner shooters had to be on fire.

I do think Dionnah and Caton had tired legs....and I also saw Sheri sub and give them some bench time in the first half. Excellent game plan; and of course, it all depended on a few freshmen and a gichy Speedy V knocking down the shots.

Wow, I was absolutely stunned as I sat there watching last night.

Leah, Leah, Leah...............RUSH!!!!!!!

She takes these shots all the time, she was absolutely outstanding. Leah's done an awesome job defensively in the tourney, and to see it come together on the offensive game was WOW.

Speedy V....you run out of adjectives describing how much we love Maria here in Norman. She is incredible.

Like I said, I know I was stunned and I kinda think the Kansas State team and fans were, too. I certainly didn't predict or expect OU having any chance to get past the purple powder puff girls.

[Bob_Ballew]

Swok....what did I tell you?! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif Catlady, enjoyed watching the games with you. See you on Saturday.

[Jimi]

Originally posted by swok34:
wow, I was SOOOOOO wrong.

What do you mean "wrong"? You kept telling me this game would be over by half time. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

Sorry I did not get to stick around and congratulate you after the game. I'll do it now. CONGRATULATIONS SOONERS!!!

Great job. As painful as the game was one little secret fun thing was to look over at you in the next section having a blast. May there be more games like that for you and all of us in the dance.

I'll be watching on TV today and be advised I expect OU to shoot at least 60% in the first half today. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[Bball Girl]

I'll be watching on TV today and be advised I expect OU to shoot at least 60% in the first half today

in that case the balloon hat will probably levitate it's way onto the court....

[catladyok]

I just hope that other teams were watching this game, just in case they have to play K-State in the NCAA tournament. There is no way anyone is going to stop the Cats. They're just too strong, too good this year. However ... if you mess with them enough you can slow them down enough to beat them just as long as your own shots are going in. Not easy, but possible.

I was sitting with Zo during the first half of the game, and apparently we were kind of fun to watch. The Sooners were forcing the Cats to take some really lousy shots, and often the ball just went in anyway. Zo and I would be saying 'WOW! ... DANG!' and then we'd applaud. We were doing the same thing in the first game. There were some Sooner fans seated to my left and they kept looking over at us in disbelief each time we would applaud our opponents. Guess you've just got to be a Hoopscooper before you understand this sort of thing!

[This message has been edited by catladyok (edited 03-13-2004).]