Chipper's Eye View: OU, CP3, 20, Fans, and Other Stuff

[ChipperF1]

First some congratulations are in order..

Congratulations Oklahoma (16-0) The first perfect regular season in Big 12 History! :ou:

Oklahoma was OK! and a far cry from...

At the beginning of the year I discounted Oklahoma, even with Courtney Paris.
Its amazing how running the table in the league can change a lot of opinion. The Sooner surprised me. I figured with Gigantor in the middle they'd be better.

This entire team was played bigger than big, taller than tall, quicker than quick, stronger than strong.

Kendra Moore hit a game winner and made clutch plays. Chelsi Welch found her lost shooting stroke. Erin Higgins found hers, too. Leah Rush was lost for a while, but came around at the right time. And of course, Sherri Coale again proved she was more than just a pretty face.

What gets me is how the national punditry feels Oklahoma isn't a contender. Hearing Kara Lawson say OU is benefitting from a weak conference annoys me, honestly.
The Big 12 may be a little down, but if you hear some of these folks you'd think the Big 12 was a mid-major.
This season feels more and more like we will have a mens tournament type of atmosphere. Championship week will be very important for about 100 or so teams. A lot of ballclubs can still get in the field of 64, and a lot of ballclubs could play their way out of it.
Too much has been placed on Texas Tech and Texas having down years. I don't think that's fair given both teams have suffered losses that would diminish any team, and it doesn't give proper credit to teams like Texas A&M.
Of course, what do I expect. A lot of the national experts don't even give Baylor credit for winning the national championship.

Big 12 will send perhaps 4 maybe 5 teams, but anybody who discounts them will find themselves going home early. I think Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas A&M will give very good accounts of themselves. Perhaps Missouri or some other team will make the draw. Either way competitive teams will make the show.

A memo to everybody about conference play: Nobody lays down for anybody in January and February...no matter what conference you are in.
Sometimes us Major-Conference Folks get a little snobby. This week you'll see a lot of evidence of that.

Now about this CP3 thing. If I'm Marissa Coleman, I'd be a little put off by not being in the discussion. She's played brilliantly in her maiden campaign. However, Courtney Paris and Candace Parker have shined the brightest among the first year players.

Now, I'm going to say it and probably tick off all of Sooner Nation. Candace Parker is a better all-around player than Courtney Paris. Her body of work this year offensively, defensively and position-by-position has confirmed that.
Parker has had to learn and play every position on the floor. Now she has to learn how to run Tennessee's variable motion offensive sets just in time for the SEC tournament. #3 for Tennessee has a lot on her plate because of her ability and she's shown the ability. I point prominently to the job she does on defense. She defends on ball, she defends on the blocks, and does both with a desire and a performance that you don't see in many freshman. Her upside is unlimited.
Courtney Paris, because of her size and position, is a vastly different player. She's not as mobile, not as versatile. If you are going to compare Courtney on her statistics, then you also have to be fair and compare the two according to their roles on the club. Paris has a narrower set of objectives on her team, and she plays those well. Candace's are broader and she plays them well. To me, that is the difference.
Some folks will say "Parker is all hype". Her play and her numbers tell me a different story. Don't put the hype machine on the kid. She didn't ask for it, but us media folks did it. All she's done is do a lot of jobs, many of them thankless in a rough year for the Lady Vols.

Now, I'll upset the Vol Nation. Courtney Paris has had the better season. The numbers confirm that, and those numbers directly relate to how Oklahoma's done in the standings.
Courtney's numbers are ridiculous, and they are testament to the work she's put in, the work Sheri Coale has put in, and the work Beky Preston has put in.
In breaking down Courtney Paris, I'm left in awe. First her mobility for her size. From block to block, she's quick. In analysing 10 Oklahoma games. I found that a good 60% of her blocked shots come from reacting from the opposite side to make the play. That means she rolling over, and moving herself into position to make that play. Very few college women's centers can consistently do that. Ms. Paris does.
Also, this kid has good footwork and she knows how to use her body. There are many NBA posts who don't understand positioning and moving without the ball to make plays. Watching her rebound balls leaves me speechless. She has a nose for the ball, and the ability to get them constantly. Once she learns the tricks and gets more consistent with boxing out, you are going to see skills that would make Stacey King and Waymon Tisdale jealous.
Contrary to certain beliefs, Courtney is not an oversized goon. I would say at least a third of her fouls are more of the " ref doesn't believe what he just saw" variety. She get a fair number of fouls because incidental contact that should not be a call. She just that big and that quick.
Its going to be something special to watch Courtney Paris over the next three years. If she works hard, she will be among the greats of the game.
The real beauty of it is..she knows how far she has to go, and she wants to make the journey.

[ChipperF1]

Next I need to minister to my bretheren and sistern in the great Lone Star Republic of Texas. Particularly to those living in Austin and Lubbock.

If you'd turn to page Under 500 in your hymn books,please?

This Tournament Won't Have Texas In It.
(Sung to the tune of "Texas Has A Whorehouse In It")

This Tournament won't have Texas in it.
Lord have mercy on our souls
This Tournament won't have Texas Tech in it
Lord have mercy on our souls.

I’ll expose the facts although it fills me disgust
Please excuse the filthy dark details
Of a year gone bust
Filthy dark details of a year gone bust.

Softness Goin' On In Austin
Even Tiffany plays plumb mild.
The Horns can't shoot
No one denied it
Jody Conradt's gettin' riled

Chelsea Dabbs on crutches
Whole Dang Offense Dis-arranged
And Marsha Sharp decided to step down
That's very strange
Marsha's stepping down that’s very strange

Gary Blair's hopped-up, new-look, third-place Aggies (OH NO!)
And KMR's green-and-gold national championship Bears (OH NO!)

Not To Mention Sooner types, who haven't lost in league this year.
Actin’ all depraved showin' Horns Down!
One State Up from here

This Tournament won't have Texas in it.
Sorry Nina, you're staying home.
This tournament won't have Texas Tech in it
LaToya and Erin can't do it alone

Hornfans disappointed, some say Erika's a flop
RaiderPower says it would be nice,
IF THE LOSING STOPS!

Stop all this frustration!
Every Game, Frustration!
Stop all this frustration!
Every Game, Frustration!

This Tournament won't have Texas in it.
Lord have mercy on our souls
This Tournament won't have Texas Tech in it
Lord have mercy on our souls.

The season's been horrific.
Even Aggies kicked our butts.
And seeing Sheri Coale sixteen-and-oh!
DRIVES US BOTH NUTS!

Amen.

Now to my brothers and sisters in Austin and Lubbock. Right now, you are probably feeling a little disappointed. After all, its just doesn't seem right that both the Lady Raiders and the Longhorns won't be in the NCAA tournament. Unless of course there's a miracle in Dallas that rivals Loaves, Fishes, and parting a major body of water.
But I am here, the Good Right Reverend Chipper of the Church of Nuestra Senora De La WNIT, here to minister to you on how to cope.

First of, your Lornhorns. You had Vince Young at the Rose Bowl, so have a little less room to be sad. ;) Seriously, its hard when you have two of your best playing at 75% and you have a top-flight freshman who is learning on the job and two other top-flight freshmen on crutches.
Cut Arriran a little slack, the kid is growing and learning, and she can't help that Texas has gone from a hard inside team to a soft one. I'm convinced "Mieloszynska" is the Polish word for "please push me around".
An awful lot of role players and backup had to be frontliners and some of those kids were playing hurt. You know you are in deep trouble when Coco Reed has to play a lot of minutes.
But don't get too down on this team. They are talented, and they gave what they had. The Longhorns didn't quit games and the only finger pointing I saw was Jody Conradt's a couple of games ago.
Memo to Coach Conradt. If you get that WNIT bid, [b]take it! The kid could use the work, and Nina Norman deserves one last moment for the master when its all or nothing.

Now you Lady Raiders. Your faith has really had to endureth to the end, but you didn't that end meant, "end of an era".
Just like the Texas kids, the Texas Tech didn't quit. A better offense would have helped, but they are still on the fringes of the NCAA. Injuries didn't help, but take pride in knowing that this team wasn't a bad team, they just didn't jel together consistently. That something that can be worked on.
Now it is sad for Erin Grant and LaToya Davis. Both of them have represented themselves and their schools with class and honor. Even in this year that didn't go as played, they are champs.
As is Marsha Sharp. She's class all the way and I'll stand up and applaud when she leads this team on the floor in Dallas. I hope the entire crowd does, too.

To you both, as someone who continually is disappointed in March, verily I say unto you, They had bad years, but they weren't bad teams and certainly weren't bad kids.
Bad teams point fingers at each other. Bad teams quit on each other. Bad teams stop competing and don't care. Neither Texas Tech nor Texas were bad teams. They were good groups that had rough years. It happens that way in sport sometimes.
Its not consolation, but take solace in that you will come away from this year looking back on these teams with some disappointment but not dislike.

Oh by the way, to my Lady Raiders in the flock...Don't sweat the coaching decision and please, please, please Mr. AD KEEP MARSHA SHARP IN THE LOOP AND DON'T RUSH THE DECISION!!!!
Don't let the message boards do it, and don't let the media do it. Take your time, find a fit and make the deal.

Oh, and quit dreaming of Sheri Coale or Kim Mulkey-Robinson. They ain't coming, even if you offered Jerry Jones Money. They just ain't leavin' where they are.

[35TangoTango]

Ooohhh, Chipper!.,,,,,, You do have a way with words! You are right on - on BOTH CP3's!!!

[ChipperF1]

As we head into championship week...Things that make me happy.

The sheer joy hitting a shot. The look on Jason McElwain's face will stay with me forever, so will seeing classmates rally around a kid's dream and see it come true.
Seeing the Big 12 all-academic list made me happy and seeing the impressive numbers of frontline players on it. A good number of the Big 12's dean list are candidates for the all-conference team, period. There are statistical leaders on that list and team leaders in on-floor categories on it. I believe the best in athletics and academics can become one, and they should be.
Seeing the homages to Marsha Sharp from the coaches she's worked hard to beat. To see, even in their victory, the Oklahoma kids and the Oklahoma head coach, keeping a perspective beyond what they did. That is sportsmanship of high quality. I value that in sport.
Seeing Kiera Hardy's face light up in the first half Wednesday night. To see her not frustrated. To see her in her moment. It was an important game, and my lasses did a job, because #21 was there..and she did hers.
Seeing Sara Hieb getting out there, or any walk-on. What makes a person give it all just to be the last person on the bench? What makes them do that? I don't know, but it is inspiring. They may never play, but they can say someday, "I was there".
Senior nights. To me they are sad, but also a happy time. Because you are celebrating accomplishment. Those who stayed the course. The rode that charter flight, studying their Chaucer, or Alegbra or Thermodynamics or John Foster Dulles brinksmanship or whatever. They blocked out a rough mid-term to solve the riddle of Jami Escalera, or blocked out being blocked by Brittany Wilkins for the Psych exam the next morning.
They nursed a rolled ankle while reading Gilgamesh. They studied film on their next opponent and studied Zora Neale Hurston for their next class.
They survived, adapted and overcame.
Some raised trophies and banners and triumph. Some won accolades. All met delight and disaster between November and March for 1,2,3, or 4 years.
For those who complete the journey, no matter where life takes them they are life members in the sisterhood of Big 12 Womens Basketball.
I can think of no better sorority to join. :)

[Bball Girl]

You know Chipper...that little song is pretty damn close to a TAUNT. It's not funny and it's NOT classy. Sometimes you go way too far trying to be clever. I love my coach and my team MORE than you can imagine....yes more than YOU can imagine.

Yes, I read the whole damn thing - but the little song stuck in my craw.
We might have not met our expectations this year, but WE NEVER QUIT and we deserve better than your little song.

I don't need you to minister to me...my coach did a fine job of that last night. She put all her own disappointments and frustrations aside to tell all of the LADY RAIDER FAMILY how important we were to her and how much we meant to her.

ALL OF THE FANS ON THIS BOARD WHO DO THEIR BEST TO CARE ABOUT ALL OUR TEAMS, OUR WONDERFUL COACHES AND OUR WONDERFUL KIDS DESERVE BETTER than your little song.

Having said that...

DON'T EVER EVER STICK A FORK IN THE LADY RAIDERS. WE'RE NOT DONE YET!




:TTU:

[Bob_Ballew]

Chipper, I have been waiting for a song. I look forward to them each time I open one of your posts. Thanks

[TTU79]

Chipper, I'm willing to make a bet on the Lady Raiders being in the NCAA.

[JohnHenry]

Let's lighten up, eh?

Just for the record, you can go ahead and stick a fork in us....

[Scamp]

Let's lighten up, eh?

Just for the record, you can go ahead and stick a fork in us....
Mmmm....steak! ;) :BU:

[walkaway]

Chipper's little ditty wasn't what I needed this evening. I really ought to shut up on that score right now, but I won't. Chipper, all year long you have ragged on your "lasses". All year. And you did it last year too. I didn't stand up and defend them then -- to my shame -- because I thought you knew them better than I could.

Let me tell you about the Huskers, Chipper. Last year those "lasses" you derided game in and game out BEAT BAYLOR. Something my Lady Raiders couldn't manage, last year, even at home. That team you found so appalling beat the team that won it all. This year the Huskers came out on court and played genuine clean basketball every time the tip went up all the way until the last buzzer went off. I cannot fault their effort or their heart, their dedication or their bravery. Glory isn't everything; you can't measure guts by it, for example.

I'm a Lady Raiders fan -- heaven help me; because it was the Lady Raiders Coach Sharp built and led and marshaled and represented, and I don't know, once Alesha and Brooke and Erin and Enrica and Judith and Tawanna and Patrice and Chesley and LaVonda graduate, what will be left; it'll still be Texas Tech women's basketball, but that's what it was before Coach Sharp. Without her leadership and the particular, exquisite integrity with which she chose her players and infused her program, I don't know what it will become. This has been the roughest season the Lady Raiders have faced in several years; Lady Raider Nation takes 20-win seasons and NC2A berths for granted, and it's been a salutary shock to find that habit unraveling!

So I'm going to step outside the bounds of gentility and politesse that reign here at hoopscoop, Chipper, and tell you to look the Huskers in the face, and Coach Feneally in the eye, and appreciate them for all that they do, game in and game out -- stop taking for granted that they'll always be there for your dissective pleasure. Because you know what, Chipper? you're better than the crowing idiots at RaiderPower celebrating their wish fulfillment now that there's no more "fab five recruiting class", no more Coach Weese, no more Cisti, no more Erin Grant, no more LaToya Davis, and no more Coach Sharp, and your Huskers deserve better from you.

[Jimi]

Wow. Could we chill out a little.

[35TangoTango]

Chipper, I think what your critics are saying is that you're not worshipping properly at the shrine. :rolleyes: Don't worry about it - we already know you have no proper reverence! :p

[Peaceplease]

First some congratulations are in order..

Congratulations Oklahoma (16-0) The first perfect regular season in Big 12 History! :ou:

What gets me is how the national punditry feels Oklahoma isn't a contender. Hearing Kara Lawson say OU is benefitting from a weak conference annoys me, honestly.
The Big 12 may be a little down, but if you hear some of these folks you'd think the Big 12 was a mid-major.
.[/b]


I took a different view of what Kara said. She said that you would think that if a team won every conference game they would be a number one seed, but that because the Big 12 was down she thought OU would have to win every game and the Big 12 tournament. Okay, I was paraphrasing but that was what I got from her comments. It actually gave me hope......that IF (and it will be very tough) OU wins the tournament, we might actually get a number one seed.

[Bball Girl]

Chipper, I think what your critics are saying is that you're not worshipping properly at the shrine. :rolleyes: Don't worry about it - we already know you have no proper reverence! :p

I was going to let this go...but can't resist this comment.
Nope that's not it...no shrines here.

I'll tell you what...all of y'all guys who think it's cool and funny can have a little chorus and sing in it front of our players, their parents (some of whom read this board) and their coaches and we'll see if they think it's funny. Seems like we could get a little barbership quartet going here.

[Gator]

Wow. Could we chill out a little.Ditto! Attacking a person rather than his arguments is a problem for me. The fact is that his team has struggled and he has chosen to try and analyze what could be done about it. That is not the tactic that all fans take but then not all of us need to be the same type of fan. I couldn't for the life of me try to analyze a player's, coach's or team's strengths or weaknesses - I just don't know enough. I'm a fan emotionally attached to my team because of my admiration for how it works on a "people" level. During the less than great years, I still enjoyed the heck out of watching how kids developed, handled injury, etc. etc. I also screamed my support for them and hurt for them when it ended with a L rather than a W. Chipper: you and the other fans who talk about Xs & Os are gradually teaching me a lot. Even when you say the Orange CP3 might be a better player than "MY" CP3, I usually learn something. And when you choose to present your summaries in ditties, sigh, I do try and not groan TOO loudly.

[35TangoTango]

Most of the players I've met have an excellent sense of humor and would be the last people to be too full of themselves.

[JohnHenry]

Gator - I always groan. Loudly. I suppose that one was a bit much, but whatever.

When he's busting out the show tunes, it's obvious he needs a vacation.

Let's all go to Dallas! :cool:

Tech fans:

OK, you guys don't need ministering to. I think his intentions were honest, though. Here, perhaps, is a good opportunity to take a lesson from a Longhorn. We've experienced this quite a bit in a few sports. Every now and then, when we have a down year in something, or miss a championship while a rival wins it, the long-suffering fans of also-rans generally take the opportunity to crow a bit, or at least find some enjoyment at our downfall and take a few pokes. It's natural. When you spend several years beating the snot out of people and keeping up such a high standard, it's hard to remember what it feels like to be the other guys. You get used to winning and you expect it.

When the crash comes (as it inevitably does for us all), sometimes you feel a little shell-shocked, while others are feeling some relief ("Wow. Here's our chance to Beat Tech/Texas!" ; "Hey, we finished with the same record as Tech - they ain't so hot anymore" etc.)

Honestly, you should hear some of the things I heard in the Ferrell Center a few years ago when the Lambert & Cockrum-led Bears beat us. I had a hard time believing they were adults, much less Baptists. Or back in the mid 90's when Tech had dethroned us. Once the Aggies realize they have a good women's team, I'm sure i'll start hearing it from them too. Hell, nothing made me happier than to see the Yankees get whacked by the Red Sox - FINALLY!! - a couple of years ago.

So I guess my point is - get used to it. This is what it's like for winners, when you lose. Take the bad in stride, as rare as it is in Lady Raider Land. Chipper's little song was rather polite and harmless in the grand scheme of things. A touch foul in the lane, if you will. He's just trying to add a little levity to the situation, without being ugly. His only real crime there was tastelessness ;) Not everyone is a Tech or Texas fan, and most folks aren't gonna shed a tear over us having a down year after so much success.

Sure, Marsha's departure has made it all the more emotional, and it's difficult to see the humor when something we love that's brought us so much joy is hitting the skids and the basketball world as we know it is changing forever. But it's times like this when we need to take a deep breath and remember that as much as we might love it, it's still a game.

The greatest thing Mack Brown told his players before the Rose Bowl was that he wanted this to be the greatest moment of their football careers, but to not let this be the greatest moment of their lives. If it is, they will have missed much. I know, easy for winners to say...

Hell, look on the bright side, Tech. At least your team didn't flat-out stink like mine did this year; Tech is still a threat to do damage. I love my Horns as much as I ever have, but we need some WORK, honey. And you still count on 10K in the USA even in a down year; we're lucky to pull that in a good one. Count your blessings and let the babies have their bottle, I say. :D

There. Now can we all forget about it over a bowl of ice cream? I'm buying :D

[YCN]

I'll miss you all once again in Dallas, but I've been positioning myself for a long run of postseason tournaments in the future, so I'm sure the time will come when we can all get together, and you can make of me what you wish...

Hopefully I'll survive :)

Anyway, to one and all that are headed to the Big D to cheer on your favorite team and the conference, I hope you all have a memorable time.

In the meantime, I'm closely examining those grossly overpriced Denver subregional tickets, and wondering whether or not the selection comittee sends us to Pitcairn, Ryker's Island, or elsewhere. To be honest, I'd pay NBA-style prices to see my team anytime, but when local sales probably currently number somewhere between the high dozens and low 100's, I think I'll just sit on my hands until they crush my heart by sending OU to Tierra Del Fuego...

[ChipperF1]

"When he's busting out the show tunes, it's obvious he needs a vacation.

You are right about that. So I'm giving myself one :) I'll be in Denver for the weekend (Note to any CU Buff Hoopscoopers let's do lunch!)

I want to apologize to and ask forgiveness from all the Texas Tech and Texas folks. My intention was not offend, but actually to poke a little fun at how wild this season's been. Texas and Texas Tech are among the flagship programs in our league. I have nothing but respect for Marsha Sharp, Jody Conradt and their respective programs. The standards of excellence that each have set in this league and this sport are well appreciated by this fan.

Next time, I'll pick a different musical...perhaps going back to "My Fair Lady"...hmmmm ;)

[elfdenmom]

Thank you for your astute observations, John Henry.

It is probably more painful to have been there and lost it than not to have been there at all. For me, the 2003-04 season was agonizing.

That said, I am exremely grateful for all those seasons in the sun and basking in the reflected glory of my Lady Raiders. So how does it go? "It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

I also hope that it will be "Better the second time around."

[walkaway]

Chipper, I did you a disservice.

Chipper, I was wrong.

Chipper, I apologize.

I hope you never have to look back on the last two or three seasons as the "good old days"!

May the Huskers grow and prosper, and your enjoyment of them last a lifetime.