Lady Bears...

[Big12Bear]

Make your free throws! ARGH!!!

This might have had a different outcome, but OU finished strong and 8-17 from the line vs OU nailing nearly all of them won't get the job done on the road. Otherwise a very competitive game.
Bring on Tech.

[Bob_Ballew]

They were just bragging earlier in the week about how good the Lady Bears were doing at the line. First in the Big 12. The radio announcers said OU shot 92% at the line and Baylor shot only 37%. OUCH.

KMR said in her post game interview that Baylor needed someone to step up late in the game and create some positive plays. She complimented OU on how well their seniors step up late in the game to make the big play.

Congrats to OU, they should do well in the post season play. How was the attendance at tonights game?

[YCN]

The announced turnstile attendance, braving a snowstorm, was 4,049.

OU needs to do better, but several members of my family were probably absent due to illness in the family.

Not to worry - the patient is recovering nicely.

[schooner2]

Okay attendance. It looked like about 4500 to me. Would have expected more on an uneventful weather night.

With the win, Coach Coale records her 100th career victory, 50th conference win and 50th win at Lloyd Noble.

Thoughts:
Dales looks so much better now. She's so smooth, so confident, so in control of everything. She just looks like she could score at will whenever she wants. She seems to be choosing now to start ramping her game up for the NCAA Tourney.

Dionnah Jackson: becoming more comfortable shooting the ball as she nailed at least 2 3-pointers. Word is she is working very hard on her outside shot and really that is about all she needs to work on in her game. She's going to be a wonderful player for another 3 years after this one.

Caton Hill had another frustrating game as she was really getting banged around inside. Despite fouling out she did provide some good minutes with rebounding.

OU appears to control its own destiny. They continue to make it tough for anyone trying to catch them in conference with another solid win tonight. OU still has to play at KSU, at Texas, and at home against Texas Tech. I would be surprised if they lost more than 2 the rest of the way. But if they want the #1 seed at the Big 12 Tourney, they will probably still have to beat KSU. KSU doesn't have a real tough schedule the rest of the way and Oklahoma is their toughest game left although at Colorado will obviously be difficult as well.

[YCN]

schooner, I see KSU as the toughest game remaining, as well - although Texas, Missouri and Tech aren't going to cut us any slack at all. BTW, OU was darn lucky to play CU at the beginning of the season, before they decided that they could beat anybody they played.

It's not a must for OU to win every remaining game, but if we are to be a respected #1 seed, we need to take care of business, game after game.

[swok34]

Actually, the same thing happened last year...OU got Colorado first and blew them out and then met them in the tourney that turned out to be the game of games, IMO.

Great game tonite, must have been super physical.....the foul calls were flying. Sherri(I think) got the technical.....kinda surprised they didn't pop one on Kim, too.....right after that.

Sure is good to see Stacey back in her "usual" form....not that she hasn't managed to pretty much equal her stats, but she looks so much more relaxed and enjoying herself. Earlier, almost looked like she was trying to force some things rather than wait until they come. And she was able to put the ball in the basket when everyone else was struggling at the beginning.

Saw Roz and Talbert both be a little "lazy" with the ball. Don't know if the game was so intense that they lost focus at moments.
Roz dribbling up the court when it was obvious there were only 2 bears in front, so there had to be a slew of 'em behind her.
I seem to recall that last years game in Norman was the worst piece of officiating I have ever seen in my life, I remember commenting that Sherri and Kim should both get together and submit something to the Big XII.........there were a LOT of calls tonite, but I think both teams were playing really hard. I kept thinking they were wrong on possession calls along the south baseline...but my angle wasn't great. We started wondering if there weren't a lighting problem over in that area......and I say that for both teams... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
Tough lil' Action Jackson, something happened to her eye and she sat for about 5 minutes with someone other than the trainer looking at it and kept ice on it.........tough girl, she came back to play. I really like her spunk, and they really needed her tonite with the "post" players in foul trouble.......and I don't think a single post player for either team wasn't in foul trouble.

KMR pulled Danielle Crockrum really early in the game, we wondered if she were sick.........she certainly didn't play like she was.
And, of course, she didn't get to sit for long. Sheila was Sheila, that girl is incredible with some of the shots she can hit. IMO, she is the leader and the "go" of this team and OU smothered her the last 3/4 minutes of the game.

Think Caton has this "hit shots" thing in her mind after having a bad game, a good game, then a bad game.......it doesn't seem to affect her rebounding or defense.....she'll figure it out, too much of a warrior not to. I think it's a mental thing that's maybe going on with her now..........sure am glad Laneisha found her shot, her's weren't falling in the 1st half.

WNBA scouts, figured there would be a few.......
Maura McHugh, Sacramento
Greg Williams, Detroit
Linda Hargrove, Portland
and also a scout from Seattle, though not Linn Dunn.

can't figure who Sacramento is looking at, they don't need a power forward (or maybe they do to relieve Yo), they don't need a point with Ticha (or maybe they need to relieve her)......
Detroit and Portland are both after Stacey I believe. I really think Portland really, really want Stacey with their 5 pick, though Detroit wants help down low or a point and they have the 2 pick..........and don't have a clue about Seattle, hmmmm, maybe Laneisha. Perhaps Sacto coach McHugh (former OU coach) just wanted to visit Norman http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[YCN]

swok, do you get the feeling that OU is about to go on a run, or will the conference bring us back down to reality?

This is the most important time of the year in basketball, because if you beat your competitors down the stretch, everyone knows you belong where you are (a #1 seed).

What is your gut feeling right now? In the past OUr team have run out of steam in March, do you see any evidence of that virus infecting our team this year?

I SO MUCH WANT for OU to be the first Big 12 team to get to the Final Four, but what I really want goes beyond that.

I'll bet in spite of my incoherent ramblings you know what I mean!

[schooner2]

I think OU's focus all season is making sure to have gas in the tank come March. I almost wonder if Dales wasn't holding back some in December and January and only now is really ramping up her game.

Look at games against OSU, A&M, and Kansas. OU started going to the bench early and often even when the game was still very close (except Kansas - OU just blew them away). Seems to be a concerted effort to rest the starters during games against teams at the bottom of the conference.

I like the placement of the Kansas State game between a home game against A&M and a home game against Nebraska. It's not like going to Ames after playing a draining game in Waco. One more week till that showdown!

I think even if OU has two more losses through the end of the Big 12 Tourney, OU will get a #1 seed in the NCAA Tourney. But two more losses up till that point will take a lot of effort by the Sooners.

[Zo31]

Schooner...that is a scary thought, that Dales has been holding back early on in the conference. I feel that Dales is just a special player and that she can kick it in whenever she needs to. Lucky for OU! Give a lot of credit to Dales and the entire OU team. They deserve a number 1 seed in my opinion.

My favorite OU player is Caton Hill, I feel she is a force to be reckoned with whenever you play OU. She can hurt you inside and out.

Maybe BU and OU will meet in the tournament and we can pull an upset!

[This message has been edited by Zo31 (edited 02-06-2002).]

[carolann]

The Big 12 is losing a lot of starting point guards this year, this year: Dales*, Lambert*, Nightingale, Larkin, White,...

I think Jackson will be one of the top returning point guards along with Tocarra Williams and Lindsey Wilson.

[swok34]

Maybe BU and OU will meet in the tournament and we can pull an upset

OU would really, really like to win the tourney this year....
I think we have yet to win one http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

I think, from what I figured, that Baylor will be the 4 seed going into the tourney (of course, 5/6 conference games from here on out can lead to a lot of upsets). If that is true and they both survive Wednesday, they would meet Thursday night.....I hate meeting a "south" team in the tourney. It's sometimes difficult to beat an opponent 3 times in one year.

YCN, I think Stacey Dales finally just relaxed and let the game come to her during the OSU game and she's figured it out. Really think she was trying too hard to meet the expectations of the team, the fans, everyone.......and really her stat's are not so far off. It has been in the Oklahoma State and the Baylor game that looks so much like the Stacey of last year. Saw several games last year where Stacey put the team on her back and carried them. Best example was in Austin, Texas. Coach Coale made the comment last night that she felt since Stacey has turned the corner during the OSU game........she's bbbbbaaaaacccccckkkkkkk!

Listening to the Big XII press conference yesterday...and I missed a few coaches......Coach Coale commented about how OU has actually done better in the NCAA's when they've done worse in the tourney. It's kind of hard to compare because OU's only been the last 2 years; they were discussing home court advantage. Seems Marsha Sharp has made the same kind of comments about the tourney. I would almost like to see the tourney's for the "big conferences" done away with....I think this is the first year that the PAC-10 is having a conference tourney. So the Pac 10 has always had 2 weeks rest on the rest of Division I. I'm sure there are others who don't have tourneys, but I think most of the major conferences do now since the Pac-10 added their's in.

Last year, I think Stacey's fatigue and playing at 11 at night did them in. Hopefully, OU won't be sent out West; right now it looks to be Stanford that would be seeded in the West. OU made sure that Stacey got plenty of rest and a just a little playing time this summer. Seems Caufield goes through a spell of the shooting jitters ever year and she always comes out of it. Roz' is too good of a shooter to stay down for long and she was able to connect on some last night. Listening to the stats...Roz was guarding Lambert the second half and I think held her to 5 points.

And just for the record, I think it is entirely unfair for any team to play a Regional on their home court.....it's bad enough that the tourney is set up on home courts during rounds 1 & 2.
And I would even count OU in that "unfairness" if they were to ever host a regional.....

Sure am glad it's snow this morning that's actually landing and sticking.

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 02-06-2002).]

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 02-06-2002).]

[Jennifer]

Glad to see Stacy is back in form. And Jackson can nail the '3'! Cool!
Wasn't able to catch even the internet broadcast last night--couldn't even get on the internet and was glad to see the score ticker on ESPN around 11:00 so at least I knew they won!

In regards to NCAA tourney seeding--I've seen a few hypothetical brackets that seem to usually have OU the #1 seed in the MW region--and ISU anywhere from 4-6. Considering Coach Coale's teams have yet to beat ISU, how do you other OU fans feel about OU having to go through ISU, on their homecourt, to get to San Antonio?

[metromaniac]

My hope and belief is you just can't keep beating a really good team, over and over, even at your place. However, If Junod comes back strong it may be tougher.

Hope Jackson keeps hitting three's as that would help having another shooter against the ISU zone. Ros made one or two last nite, good to see. Stacey is totally in a new level and zone. I earlier this year had pegged Caulfield as POY in the Big 12, but if Stacey keeps playing at this level, she will steal it back. She has truly been awesome and outrageous since the last OSU game.


Go http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/ou.gif

[kate dawg]

Welle for POY. Even if they don't win the Big 12. She has proved the most valuable player to her team for sure, and I think more than any other player in the conference, she is the person other teams have to key in on.

[Jennifer]

I don't see Welle getting it. Sure, she shoots a very high percentage, but she doesn't seem to be the person that can just take over a game (unless she's playing OU).

[swok34]

Nicole Oldhe has as much right to it...right at the moment than anyone.......but I'm pretty sure they would give it to a senior, as strong as the Big XII's senior class is this year......

I haven't seen a strong POY candidate emerge yet.....I agree that if Stacey continues to perform at the level she's performing, she could quite possibly grab it. The FOY will be a toss-up, who gets it Wecker or Koehn?....pretty sure it will be one of KSU's freshmen that lock up that award.

metro.....any idea what happened to Jackson's eye last night, seems Roz' had something going on with her face ?eyes also?

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 02-06-2002).]

[Big12Bear]

To reinforce my initial point on free throw shooting..

BU: 8-17 (normally a 76% shooting team)
OU: 25-27.

That is what makes OU so tough though---especially in a close game. Your choices of whom to foul are few.

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by Big12Bear:
BU: 8-17 (normally a 76% shooting team)
OU: 25-27.


Ouch, I bet Coach KMR wasn't happy with that stat.
OU had a poor shooting night otherwise; good thing they hit their free ones.

[swok34]

I read somewhere a while back when OU was shooting 60% from the FT line that Sherri Coale quit having the team "practice" shooting free throws..........and their FT Percent has risen up into the 80%+. Coach Coale says free throws are "all mental".

[mred]

In the ISU practices I saw last season, Coach F ended every practice with a player shooting a free throw and all of the other players lined up on the baseline. If the player misses, everyone runs down to the far baseline and back, and the player tries again. This is repeated until the player hits a free throw. Then they move on to the next player until everyone has made a free throw. This is a chance to practice clutch free throws (where everyone on the team has to run if you miss) when you are dead tired at the end of practice (when you least want to run). Since most clutch free throws happen at the end of the game, this is an important skill to pick up.

I don't know how well this works and I know it's no substitution for a real game situation, but it's something. I agree that practicing a lot of free throws is unnecessary unless a player has poor mechanics that need to be changed.

[This message has been edited by mred (edited 02-06-2002).]

[Jennifer]

As a horrible ft shooter myself, I do think it's all mental.

In my juco playing days, we had a drill called 10-9-8's where we would shoot 10 ft's, and run 10 laps for everyone you missed (individually). Then shoot 10 more, and run 9 for every one you missed...and so on all the way to 1. I think the first time we did it I ran over 100 laps...and I still think I was one of the only honest ones who ran what I was supposed to. Then I would get all uptight about them in games and choke. Go figure.

[mred]

Now that's torture. When you know you are taking 100 free throws anyway, there's no real incentive to concentrate on just one.

[This message has been edited by mred (edited 02-06-2002).]

[schooner2]

Originally posted by mred:
In the ISU practices I saw last season, Coach F ended every practice with a player shooting a free throw and all of the other players lined up on the baseline. If the player misses, everyone runs down to the far baseline and back, and the player tries again. This is repeated until the player hits a free throw. Then they move on to the next player until everyone has made a free throw. This is a chance to practice clutch free throws (where everyone on the team has to run if you miss) when you are dead tired at the end of practice (when you least want to run). Since most clutch free throws happen at the end of the game, this is an important skill to pick up.

I don't know how well this works and I know it's no substitution for a real game situation, but it's something. I agree that practicing a lot of free throws is unnecessary unless a player has poor mechanics that need to be changed.


Coach Coale has done the exact same in the past. Or she will just pick a person at random at the end of practice and it all hinged on that person whether the team would run more sprints.

[dem]

I went to an ISU practice last season where they ran that free throw drill. Several times the ball rattled around the basket and seemed about to come out, and everybody started running. Then the ball would drop through, and they would have to scramble back to the baseline. They made it through the entire roster without ANYONE missing. That pumped them up!