Red River Rivalry, Pt 1: OU @ Texas

[swok34]

Not impressed at all with this article......big bunch of nothing and you have to scan down a ways to even read the thing.
http://www.newsok.com/article/3006422

The Austin Statesman does a much better job, IMO:
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/01/31/31texfem.html

6 pm tipoff
TV: ESPNU (Mark Neely, play-by-play; Nancy Lieberman, color analyst)

TV:
Channel 253 on Oklahoma Cox Cable
Channel 148 on Dish Network
Channel 609 on Direct TV.

INTERNET VIDEO: Watch Texas Basketball home games on subscription-based TexasSports.TV
Interesting note:
[Due to Big 12 Conference television contracts, this event will be available for viewing no earlier than 11 p.m. CT]

[carolann]

Suzanne Halliburton is covering the womens basketball team regularly for the first time this year. Olin Buchanan, who used to write most of the stories on the womens team, took another job.

[tx4OU]

The Austin Statesman does a much better job, IMO:
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/01/31/31texfem.html

INTERNET VIDEO: Watch Texas Basketball home games on subscription-based TexasSports.TV
Interesting note:
[Due to Big 12 Conference television contracts, this event will be available for viewing no earlier than 11 p.m. CT]

Wow! What a cool feature on the AAS web site. They have an audio feature that will read the story for you. Great device for the seeing impaired? (How do they navigate to click on the audio link? Or is it for individuals who can't read?:confused: Still pretty cool technology.

Does the last comment mean that TexasSports.TV can't show the broadcast until 11 p.m.?:eek: I hope not, as the wonderful Time Warner Cable in Dallas doesn't have ESPNU as part of it's programming line-up, so I was going to subscribe to Texas' web cast tonight.

[hookem]

Tx4OU, TexasSports is not able to broadcast the game live because of the TV contract the Big XII has. Unless you want to pay to see the replay, you might just as well follow along on Texas' gametracker. It is pretty reliable and rarely gets "stuck." :)

[tx4OU]

I'll probably just call Two Rows and see if they will let me watch it on one of their many TVs and go there for dinner. I'm getting spoiled with all of these web casts.

[tx4OU]

Anyone in the Dallas Metroplex that doesn't get ESPNU and want to watch the game with me, I just called Two Rows off Greenville Avenue and Lovers Lane and they will be showing it. Depending on how many people are there to watch it will determine the number of TVs or which TVs (They have varying sizes all the way up to a giant wall screen) they will designate to show the game.

Is anyone interested in going there with me tonight? Game starts at 6 p.m.

[sybarite]

I wish you had mentioned this earlier. What is Two Rows?

[JohnHenry]

Bah. None of matters anyway.

It took me three days to get my head out of the oven after what transpired in Lubbock Saturday, and I still have to grow back all of my hair and have my teeth filed, but suffice to say if I ever see such a display of ineptitude by a Texas team in the last minute of a game again, I may boycott the rest of the season and get an early start on my garden. It's dirtier and gives me a backache, but it's meditative and beats the hell out of banging your head on the concrete over and over again after another torture session (aka, Texas women's basketball).

I hope this team (AND ITS' COACHING STAFF) have done enough soul searching and shooting practice in the last 4 days to turn this largely disastrous season around starting tonight - the ingredients are there, but the will and the offensive scheme has heretofore been absent. Speaking of absence, maybe Tiffany Jackson will decide to come to work tonight after taking her vacation last week.

You give up trying to explain the unexplainable. You just close your eyes, cross your fingers, and hope good things just somehow happen. And, sad to say, you're forced to lower your expectations, if only to maintain your sanity.

A lot of fans are losing their patience here. Saturday was the choke-to-end-all-chokes, like the Oilers in Buffalo in '93 - the kind of loss that some teams and fans just never live down and forget. For my money, last Wednesday's debacle against Baylor was right up there, too. Closing out an opponent - driving in the knife and keeping your foot on their neck until the last breath is aired and the final horn sounds - is something a coach has to engineer and instill in their players. The killer instinct just doesn't seem to abide on this team; it is subsumed by fear, hesitation, and poor preparation (I can only imagine...).

We're supposed to lose tonight. We're facing the juggernaut, the unsinkable ship, the most dominant player in the game, the experienced and well-oiled machine of OU's lineup, the The Cutest Curly-Haired Mistress of Motivation The Diva of Dry-Erase...

I just hope it doesn't matter. I just hope that our killer instinct can scratch it's way to the surface and roar like a wild and hungry beast, refusing to be cowed or broken by disappointment, dumb luck and bad decision-making. I also hope we don't need to shoot threes, 'cause we can't hit 'em to save our life.

In both of the last 2 losses, we got half the equation right: The Texas defense played to win, strangled their opponents and forced opposing coaches to search for alternatives and make do with whatever we gave them. The other half - Tiffany Jackson scoring some dadgum buckets, creating opportunities for her teammates, getting rebounds and staying out of foul trouble - you know, showing up - was completely missing. If Tree scores 13 points against Baylor - THIRTEEN, mind you - we win. If she manages just FOUR points in Lubbock, we win there too. Maybe I'm just some jerk from South Austin, but I don't think that's asking too much from an All-American of her skills and experience. If she picks this game to break out of her slumber, she better eat her Wheaties, because we all know Allison and Myrick (with all due respect) will look like 8th graders compared to the Mighty Roadblock in Red she'll be encountering in the lane tonight.

I'm off to the Drum. God knows what i'll see there. If you watch tonight and see some youngish-lookin' fella with shortened teeth, ripped-out hair and a hand over one eye, cringing in his seat next to two cute little kids with ice cream all over their faces....that's not me.

:UT: 65 :OU: 63

[Bob_Ballew]

John Henry, I hope you make it to OK City for the tournament! Good luck tonight. The rest of us could use TJ's help.

[tx4OU]

I wish you had mentioned this earlier. What is Two Rows?

It's a restaurant and pub. Surprising they have very good food and all dishes are served with a beer muffin (Mmmmm my favorite!). BTW they are owned by an OU alum.

If you want to meet me there, PM me and we can exchange cell numbers, or anyone else for that matter.

[sybarite]

At this point, the game would be half over by the time that I got there. Also, I can't drink due to diabetes. It must have food.

[Jennifer]

Dish is not showing the game. I can't find it!

[swok34]

Texas is playing well, they are hitting their shots and playing some pretty tight d. They are playing with passion, and it feels to me like my team is not. I just don't get it. Is it just me or does it feel like OU is not playing with a lot of "fire"?

There have not been a lot of fouls, but knowing OU and Texas, that will change :D
Texas is up 17-12.......yep, Courtney has picked up her second foul. Not sure she should have been put on Jackson.

I say again......is Britney putting too much pressure on herself this season to score? Her game has changed.

[BeBe]

Dear John Henry,

Would you mind terribly if I were to steal most of your diatribe ..... errrr post? If I were to change the name Tiffany Jackson to Jasmina Ilic, replace all-american with suppossedly most talented in years and a few other tweaks it would express my feelings about CU better than I have been able to do.

Thanks,
BeBe

[swok34]

P A T H E T I C :mad: :mad:

my team sucks tonite.

Getting beat all over the floor.

I don't get it, I really don't :(

[YCN]

Stupid me, when went to the OU website and it indicated that there wasn't any internet audio, I didn't think anything more of it. I ALSO thought the game was at 7 CST instead of 6.

So I missed the whole first half, but apparently I didn't miss much. Brian and Tara spoke about the players being way too tentative, trying to think too much on the court and destroying all the continuity of the offense.

I WARNED THIS COULD HAPPEN AFTER THE A&M GAME! DOESN'T ANYONE EVER LISTEN TO ME? :mad:

OU needs to just STOP IT! They will never be the Harlem Globetrotters, but they have to forget about the perfect pass, they need to STOP DRIBBLING THE BALL, and they need to receive the pass, MOVEMOVEMOVEMOVEMOVE, and throw to the next person attacking the rim when the chance is there.

Good golly, this is already way too old... :rolleyes:

[soonerborn]

The Sooners apparently have reached the "just put on the uniform with Oklahoma on the front" and walk on the field phase. They haven't chased down loose balls since the tipoff - Higgins just watches to see who might pick it up.

When you don't work - you don't deserve to win - long gone are the days of work the ball to Courtney and watch -

[YCN]

It's terrible that we have six veteran seniors, and we've been demoted back to "Ball Handling and the Offense 101".

[swok34]

YCN....

I wonder the same thing. I was wondering if Britney trying to look for her shot more has affected what she does best.

Think I'll switch over to listening to the radio.

We say we have depth, but Amanda plays out of control a great deal and I thought Jenna, while an asset offensively from time to time, is a liability on defense.

LOL......the radio is faster than the TV.

At least OU is running this half :)

That's what Courtney has needed to do......take her time with her shot. Dang, turnover.

[soonerborn]

Why don't we try the 5 freshman - they might at least act excited to be playing

[swok34]

Why don't we try the 5 freshman - they might at least act excited to be playing

That would be a massacre.

I think they are playing a 100 times better this half.

[soonerborn]

It seems as though Courtney has decided to try and take the team on her back - of course, defense is another matter. . ..

[soonerborn]

SWOK - it wouldn't be hard to play 100% better - when you look at the first half

[swok34]

Well, they have finally realized that

1st option: Courtney Paris
2nd option: Courtney Paris
3rd option: Courtney Paris

then,

perimeter shot.

[soonerborn]

Trading baskets will not erase a 14 point deficit - why don't we try a little pressure defense -

once again - UT gets 2 shots at almost every miss - it's when they get the 3rd shot that we are really in trouble

[soonerborn]

Who is that Chelsi Welch and when did she show up?

[YCN]

Lead down to 11, do the Sooners now feel a sense of urgency? We'll find out soon enough...

[soonerborn]

Like the effort coming out at halftime - wish they would have started with this much passion -- nothing like digging a huge hole, filling it with ice, having it freeze (if you're in Oklahoma tonight) and then trying to climb out - time for some ice melt :p

[swok34]

9 point game....just keep chipping away, Sooners. (Actually that would be the Paris-Welch duo who have scored all the points in this comeback).

[soonerborn]

What is the foul situation?

[swok34]

Courtney has her 2

Earneshia Bailey has 3

Aubrey Cook has 2

Brian says 12 unforced turnovers.

[soonerborn]

18 turnovers - 12 unforced - this is ridiculous

What part of "value the ball" do we not understand

[soonerborn]

Bailey is killing us - of course we are killing ourselves - 13 unforced turnovers now

[soonerborn]

If you're counting - that is 14 unforced

[soonerborn]

just heard Sherri's commercial for OU Physicians - seek out the most talented people - hope those doctors don't have the same unforced turnover rate :eek:

[YCN]

They need to park Chelsi at the curb for awhile. All she's accomplishing right now is turnovers and fouls. She's completely off her game.

[soonerborn]

I'm now watching Happy Gilmore - maybe OU should try free throws with a hockey stick

[soonerborn]

Only one three in the 2nd half - this is no way to win ballgames

[soonerborn]

Tiffany Jackson can do no wrong - OU can do no right

[swok34]

Chelsi was hitting, and only she and Courtney had scored. Actually, that may still be true. But she and Ashley have a terrible habit of dribbling off their shoes.

Tiffany Jackson is having an incredible game.

It's a dog fight :)

[soonerborn]

Look how hard the Texas players fight for every loose ball - reminds me of some team from Norman, Oklahoma - last year. . .

[YCN]

Back to the halftime deficit, and now there are 4-1/2 minutes left. We're done, put a fork in us.

[Bball Girl]

Wow Tree decided to come back

Quite a line
19 pts. 10 boards, 4 blocks, 6 steals, 4 assists

She must have been afeared that JohnHenry would do himself some permanent damage...

[soonerborn]

Isn't it time to try some major annoying pressure defense - the radio broadcast is ahead of the TV feed - now I'm feeling some urgency - guess I need to make a move down the hall :)

[swok34]

I think OU is fighting this half :confused: and playing a hell of a lot better than they did the first half...

I'm just not sure that the hole they dug was too deep. Texas isn't going away, they have continued to play well both halves.

[soonerborn]

What has happened to Leah Rush?

[soonerborn]

Amanda Thompson looks better tonight - more under control - would really like to see her start to step up and become more of a force - speaking of force - Brittany Brown doesn't need to take the game into her hands

[YCN]

Foul, turnover, foul, rebound, miss, miss. I see a trend here.

[soonerborn]

Is Lieberman smoking crack - shove to the face and they are just "playing basketball - no harm, no foul"

[swok34]

whoa, getting fiesty.

Kinda wish that would have happened about an hour ago, wow, I don't think I 've ever seen Courtney act like that. Ever.

[YCN]

Hold the presses! Turnover, foul and technical foul against TJ. We may not be well, but a faint (very faint) pulse may be there.

[swok34]

Well, it's obvious that the Texas A & M game didn't wake them up, maybe two in a row will.

I was kind of wondering why Sherri seemed so quiet tonite.

[YCN]

Down by 7. I suppose anything is theoretically possible. But we are very short on time.

[soonerborn]

I'm amazed she doesn't get upset more often - considering she has bruises, stiches, etc. -

was Erin somewhere near Huntsville when she took that shot?

Amanda needs to hang-on - but, at least she is there - too bad Courtney didn't really foul her on that play

[soonerborn]

Where the *&^% was this team in the first half?

[YCN]

Down by 6 in the last minute. No time at all to waste.

[soonerborn]

What doesn't kill you will make you stronger

[YCN]

If this is a breathtakingly close loss, I'll be breathtakingly disappointed.

Heck, I'm already pretty much there.

[soonerborn]

This totally off-topic - but does anyone know what happened to the ISU - A&M men's game that was supposed to be on FSN 37?

[Bball Girl]

Don't foul Courtney at the end of the game..she always makes those FTs. Dumb foul by TJ

[YCN]

This is starting to be like a slow-motion dream, or nightmare, or something. I've been here before, not sure if I want to revisit it.

[binchy]

Not only is CP3 a far better player than Jackson, she's also a lot classier. Jackson needs to apologize.

[swok34]

Texas live stats say that Tiffany Jackson has 5 fouls :confused:

[wildcatfan]

Not only is CP3 a far better player than Jackson, she's also a lot classier. Jackson needs to apologize.

Can you elaborate please? I am only seeing live stats. I can't tell what the heck is going on!!

[swok34]

Not only is CP3 a far better player than Jackson, she's also a lot classier. Jackson needs to apologize.

I don't agree.

I can't count the times that the officials have waited too long to call a jump ball and the player with ball feels like they have to choice but to start swinging their elbows. I would suspect it gets very frustrating, but you'd have to ask Leah Rush to be certain.

[soonerborn]

Courtney fouls out - she looks like this debacle is all her fault - - she did everything she could in the 2nd half -

[YCN]

I think the back-to-back blocks of Britney and Erin have done put dat final nail in the proverbial coffin.

Please nail that lid on very, very tight. Because I want "the thing" to be dead and buried for good. I feel like it's a nightmare.

[mred]

If Texas could make free throws, this game would be over.

[wildcatfan]

Courtney fouls out - she looks like this debacle is all her fault - - she did everything she could in the 2nd half -

She can't do it all by herself.....

[YCN]

If anyone is the "anti-problem" Courtney is the one. What I'm upset about is that her teammates apparently don't care enough for it to matter.

I'm just deeply disappointed.

[binchy]

Can you elaborate please? I am only seeing live stats. I can't tell what the heck is going on!!


Jackson got T'd for shoving Courtney in the face. Poor sportsmanship.

[swok34]

I'm not sure what is going on because the way they came out in the first half was absolutely perplexing.

Even Sherri showed no fire in the first half.

But I'm hoping they figure it out.

[soonerborn]

Leah Rush plays most possibly the worst game of her career - we started way too tentatively and it took a full half to decide to attack and play Sooner basketball -

Take heart Sooner fans - the #2 men's team Wisconsin was just upset by a Kelvin Sampson coached Indiana team (personally, I think he "phoned" it in)

Plenty of time and lots of games to be played - I was glad to see Amanda play a little more under control - still don't like the play of the point guards - our weakest link - what happens when we put 2 halves together turn the ball over less than 25 times?

[soonerborn]

Sherri's postgame comment - "let's try throwing it to Courtney before we throw it away"

[YCN]

I spent almost an hour yesterday trying to decide whether I should change my Pick'em choice back to Texas, after having first picked them and then changing my mind.

It must be my native blood sensing bad spirits on the wind. I knew something wasn't quite right.

[swok34]

Congrats to Texas, they kept playing their game no matter how much OU tried to ugly it up.

I'm not sure if trying to cut down on turnovers is not causing us to shoot ourselves in the foot.

We've always had a lot, we had a lot last year. We may just always be that kind of team.

But could we be so lucky to lose a thousand or so bandwagon fans :)

[soonerborn]

I would like to add one comment regarding the officiating of this game - we have all watched and cringed with the majority of the Big XII officiating this year - I thought this trio of officials did a good job - they seemed to keep up with the flow and they seemed to work together to reach the correct call rather than having the attitude of "it's my call" you rotate to your next station. I think that was obvious on the over and back call that was discussed and resolved - it was a very close call and could have gone either way - it was nice to see a crew work together and be able to watch a game played between the teams and not buy a ticket to watch either the officials or a rugby match.

[YCN]

Sherri's postgame comment - "let's try throwing it to Courtney before we throw it away"
YCN's comment to Sherri, after the game...

Let's try owning up for the performance of our team, shall we?

[swok34]

I agree, soonerborn. I really liked the way they officiated the game, didn't even notice they were there.

[soonerborn]

Well, whatever changes or comments Coach Coale made at the half seemed to get the point across - sometimes players have to take bit of responsibility for their actions - or lack of action as the case may be -

I guess she can still "own up for the performance" of a team that is 17-3;)

[Bball Girl]

If Baylor and Nebraska win tonite...we'll have a 4 way tie for 1st all at 6-2?

Is the Big 12 conference not a tough one...

[YCN]

I'm sorry, maybe I'm wearing the wrong glasses. I see an overwhelming, unanimous coaches' and media favorite to repeat their title from last year, and instead of seeing 26-0, I'm seeing 0-2.

What am I missing here?

[YCN]

If Baylor and Nebraska win tonite...we'll have a 4 way tie for 1st all at 6-2?

Is the Big 12 conference not a tough one...

OU is 7-2.

OU and Iowa State are the only Big 12 teams that haven't had a bye week yet. We'll still have a half game lead, but it will be dead even on the plus/minus scale, where road wins and home losses count equally.

But it won't be a 4-way tie...

[Bball Girl]

OU is 7-2.

OU and Iowa State are the only Big 12 teams that haven't had a bye week yet. We'll still have a half game lead, but it will be dead even on the plus/minus scale, where road wins and home losses count equally.

But it won't be a 4-way tie...


Yet :)

I knew my math was goofy.

I think the Big 12 is tougher this year than last year and the rest of us have learned to play with Courtney on the court. While I understand that OU may not be living up some expectations, some of the credit goes to the opposing teams.

The season isn't over...it may come down to the final game this year. Which in my humble 5th place view is a very good thing for our conference.

[tycat947]

This is sad! All we've heard from the team all year is that the NC is the goal of this team. I don't even know if they'll win the Big 12. The most experienced team in the Big 12; their top SEVEN players return and we see this! The sad part is that when Courtney and Ashley graduate they, more than likely, will never have been a part of a final four. The only real chance is when they are seniors but many, many other teams have really good players and really good coaches. The Big 12 has great coaches and really good young talent and have adjusted nicely to the Courtney led Sooners. The Big 12, top to bottom, is by far the most competitive conference but they don't have the best teams. I don't think any team in the Big 12 could beat Duke, UNC, Maryland, Tennessee, UConn, Stanford and probably OSU and LSU in a playoff game match this year. Sure we can play with all the others but the champion this year will come from this group in my opinion. The overall lack of improvement from last year to this year, I think, is what's most disappointing.

I'm sure this post will garner the "negativity" reaction but the truth hurts. I expected great things from this team and hope more than anyone that I'm wrong but I just don't see it.

[soonerborn]

YCN - I just think sometimes we expect more of coaches - I'll keep Coach Coale and her style, wisdom, and ability - I'm sure she needs to take the blame for Courtney going 7-14 from the line - Kendra blowing a wide-open layup - Erin's airball and Leah's 4 turnovers - this game was not lost on the sideline or, for that matter, in the locker room or practice facility.

[YCN]

Yet :)

I knew my math was goofy.

I think the Big 12 is tougher this year than last year and the rest of us have learned to play with Courtney on the court. While I understand that OU may not be living up some expectations, some of the credit goes to the opposing teams.

The season isn't over...it may come down to the final game this year. Which in my humble 5th place view is a very good thing for our conference.
Most of the credit goes to the other teams in the Big 12. This conference is a beast this year. OU may have improved, but from where I'm sitting a whole lot of teams have improved more.

I sincerely believe that the Big 12 could get 9 teams into the NCAA tournament this year. But that assumes that OU or some other teams don't collapse. I'll give enough credit to my team to think that's highly unlikely to happen to them. But just look at the RPI's of the Big 12 teams as of today:

10 OU
16 BU
22 KSU
25 UT
26 TTU
31 NU
37 ISU
42 TAMU
44 MU

That's nine teams within prime framing to make the NCAA tournament, and that group could be closer tomorrow with the loss of OU to UT, the likely win by BU, and the RPI boost that Missouri will likely get even if they lose to Baylor tonight. This conference is amazingly tough this year.

[sybarite]

We are learning one thing. OU may or may not be as good as we think. But, the conference is good enough that you can't take a night off for anything.

[YCN]

I don't like to blame players for poor performance, but like most fans I sometimes find it hard to resist. But when it comes to team performance and expectations over time, the role of the coach comes into the fore. Some people want to know why a team isn't improved, or just plain looks bad in a year when they should rarely look anything other than very, very good.

It's fine for Sherri to admonish her players for not getting the ball to Courtney, but whether or not Courtney gets the ball is not the primary problem with this team.

I'm not a coach, but I do know one that needs to find some sort of solution, or the ultimate responsibility belongs on her shoulders, and not on a bunch of kids who would like nothing more than being a really good team.

[ChipperF1]

"The sad part is that when Courtney and Ashley graduate they, more than likely, will never have been a part of a final four.
"I don't even know if they'll win the Big 12. The most experienced team in the Big 12; their top SEVEN players return and we see this!

Remember....In January 2005...Baylor lost to an unranked team.

In April 2005...They were National Champions. It's a little early to say that Oklahoma won't win a national championship.

And people say I rip a team.


"I'm sorry, maybe I'm wearing the wrong glasses. I see an overwhelming, unanimous coaches' and media favorite to repeat their title from last year, and instead of seeing 26-0, I'm seeing 0-2.

"YCN's comment to Sherri, after the game...

Let's try owning up for the performance of our team, shall we?

Gee, the way you are sounding YCN...I think the "C" probably stand for "Chipper". ;)

I watching the game, your backcourt was killing the effort tonight. Those turnovers hurt and Texas' backcourt cashed them in.

[tycat947]

I think the Big 12 is tougher this year than last year and the rest of us have learned to play with Courtney on the court. While I understand that OU may not be living up some expectations, some of the credit goes to the opposing teams.

Exactly. The Big 12 had a down year last year (for multiple reasons) and OU took advantage of it. I wasn't expecting to go undefeated this year but thought we should be more dominant than we have been just because we had an experienced team with a Courtney Paris. We could have very easily lost two other games as well!

[soonerborn]

Now is the time when it becomes easy, if not fashionable, to try and place blame on someone. Coach's will coach, player's will play, fans will cheer and officials (more often than not and not for good reason) will get boo'd.

I have been through some fabulous coaching regimes with OU women's basketball - Doyle Parrack 30-32, Valerie Goodwin-Colbert 32-51, and Gary Hudson 34-35.

I remain proud of our administration, our coaching staff and our players - all this being said - I think the damn horsepigs maybe to blame afterall - bring back Top Dawg!

and

Beat the Hell outta OS who!

[Jennifer]

The sad part is that when Courtney and Ashley graduate they, more than likely, will never have been a part of a final four. The only real chance is when they are seniors but many, many other teams have really good players and really good coaches.

Wow. Two conference losses, and you are pretty much discounting the rest of this season and the next 2.
I hope the rest of your glass is not so empty in the rest of your life...
Wow.

http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/silly-bangonhead2.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/hells/lala.gif

[Bball Girl]

Wow...they just showed Tree's shot at Courtney - that was ugly and not something I think of Tree doing :(

But congratulations to Texas...I know you really needed this win!

[tycat947]

I don't like to blame players for poor performance, but like most fans I sometimes find it hard to resist. But when it comes to team performance and expectations over time, the role of the coach comes into the fore. Some people want to know why a team isn't improved, or just plain looks bad in a year when they should rarely look anything other than very, very good.

It's fine for Sherri to admonish her players for not getting the ball to Courtney, but whether or not Courtney gets the ball is not the primary problem with this team.

I'm not a coach, but I do know one that needs to find some sort of solution, or the ultimate responsibility belongs on her shoulders, and not on a bunch of kids who would like nothing more than being a really good team.

Excellent point! Couldn't have said it better myself!

One thing that has bothered me for years about the coaching staff and it probably means nothing is that, to my knowledge, Sherri's only had ONE person (Bo Overton) that had ANY Div 1 experience as a coach! I know the staff has done a good job but I've always wondered if having someone with experience from a Div 1 staff could give ideas to specific situations from their past experience. I realize Sherri has more than proved her worth as a Div 1 coach but this is something I've wondered about.

[soonerborn]

Actually, Jennifer, OU has 3 losses and should probably just cancel the remainder of the season - after all - they should be undefeated - if they just had the motivation. . . .

"where is that dag-galled bandwagon - I was just trying to get aboard - and then the bottom fell out"

[soonerborn]

Nothing ceases to amaze me - maybe Coale will get a better offer and move along - she really wasn't much of a coach anyway - guess OU should have thought twice prior to hiring a lowly highschool coach to lead their program. Two losing seasons out of 11 years - good grief - you would think a University like Oklahoma could find someone that knows what they are doing. . .

[YCN]

Some people like to beat the drums. Some others like to listen to that music. I guess I'm neither of those people.

------------------------

(Wandering thoughts...)

That settles it. I knew it was the players' fault all along, but just couldn't get a grasp on it. What was I thinking?

It's easy to criticize young women who are just really starting to spread their wings in life, but really hard to ask serious questions of a head coach of those players?

Excuse me, I thought I was a fan. I guess I just wasn't a fan of the same team that some of you know.

I actually want my players to feel that great feeling that success brings. Apparently some people want to provide sympathy for their failures. But it sure ain't the coach's fault.

[swok34]

I was just really surprised at how few times Sherri stood up and looked as though she was talking to the team or a player.

It's not like her. :confused: She made the comment a couple of games ago that the players feed off of the benches energy.
(I think it was her that said that)

I think what makes it hard to comprehend is that we are essentially the same team as last season, less one Beky Preston and Laura Andrews, plus an Amanda Thompson, and Jenna Plumley.

So, is Britney Brown just having a really bad senior year? Britney has never been or gonna be a superstar: she would tell you that herself, I suspect. What she gave this team was a calming effect, the steady commodore. I think this season Kendra Moore is playing a little more under control and then you have Jenna Plumley who can shoot the 3. So, I think rather than have Britney suck it up and work through her mistakes, she gets benched.

In regards to Bo Overton: I've always believed that when Bo left, he took our defense with him. I just thought Bo was an excellent defensive coach.
But, you know what: no torn ACL's since Bo left.

I think Leah Rush plays better when Courtney's on the bench. Why? Because Leah has a tendency not to look for her shot UNTIL Courtney is on the bench. I did see her come out with passion and shooting in the Texas A & M game, not sure why that's gone away the last two games.

[soonerborn]

Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision.
~ Muhammad Ali, American Boxer

[Peaceplease]

Who is that Chelsi Welch and when did she show up?

she only played the first 3 l/2 minutes in the first half......guess she realized she had better make the first 3 l/2 in the second count, since that might be all she played.........

[Gator]

Wow...they just showed Tree's shot at Courtney - that was ugly and not something I think of Tree doing :(You know, I think I could come closer to understanding it had Texas been loosing. Frustration and high energy can cause you to make very poor decisions but this looked very personal to me, down right nasty in fact.

What was the tag line someone is using? Sports don't build character - they reveal it. There probably is a lot of truth in that.

[swok34]

Well, did you see Courtney after Tiffany's push?

I think she dropped the ball and started to ball up her fists; I've NEVER seen that particular expression from Courtney :eek:

If I were TJ, I would have turned and RAN.

I imagine it's pretty frustrating to have people grabbing at you and the official just let's 'em grab. I think they are slow to call some jump balls this season. Could a Texas teamate have called a time out? Or did Tiffany really have possession of the ball to warrant a time out?

[hornsofthedillema]

I would like to add one comment regarding the officiating of this game - we have all watched and cringed with the majority of the Big XII officiating this year - I thought this trio of officials did a good job - they seemed to keep up with the flow and they seemed to work together to reach the correct call rather than having the attitude of "it's my call" you rotate to your next station. I think that was obvious on the over and back call that was discussed and resolved - it was a very close call and could have gone either way - it was nice to see a crew work together and be able to watch a game played between the teams and not buy a ticket to watch either the officials or a rugby match.

Did anyone except Texas fans notice that there were NO fouls called against OU in the second half until about 7:15 minutes left in the game? No wonder you guys didn't even notice the refs.

Great win, Horns.

:UT:

[horntooter]

Well, before everyone (except Swok) jumps to the conclusion that Tiffany's technical was personal, nasty and mean: she was asked about it several times in the press conference and stated that "there was just a lot happening at once" and that she did go and apologize. There was, by the way, a lot happening at once, and certainly looked from our perspective that she had clear possession of the ball, was fouled two or three times, and just was trying to hang on to the ball. Let's give Tiffany a little credit, guys.

Secondly, what a really good game! Texas came ready to play, and OU looked a little flat in the first half. OU made adjustments in the 2nd half but UT was just able to hold on. Boy am I glad Higgins is graduating! But it looks like Plumlee and Thompson will fill up any gaps.

As for Texas, I'm glad Tree woke up in time for the game and hopefully she'll stay conscious for the rest of the season, but EBay is my MVP. But mostly the team played together and everyone made a significant contribution at one time or another. Way to go, Horns!

[YCN]

I'm quite sure that as the passions of competition cooled that neither player took anything away from that altercation other than understanding that we all can step over the line and then back away again.

Things happen, it's not that big a deal unless someone is significantly injured for no reason.

[hornsofthedillema]

and when fouls are not being called against one team (OU, see my previous post) OU "adjusted" and played more aggressively. When OU was playing aggressively and Tiffany couldn't get a foul called, she had to adjust and had to defend her ball more aggressively. It's a cycle. It's too bad for my team that at one moment blame had to be placed, when it was a process that led to the moment. I would hate to see anyone hurt. Doesn't the lack of calls encourage the rough play?:UT:

[SAXkid1407]

Not only is CP3 a far better player than Jackson, she's also a lot classier. Jackson needs to apologize.

Jackson is far more classier than Courtney will ever be. Tiffany is more athletic than Courtney. I'm glad Courtney finally got a taste of her own medicine. That's all Courtney does. Hang down at the block, get the ball, turn to the left, throw an elbow, and shoot the ball. Tiffany is more agile. True, Courtney's bigger, but hey, you don't see Tiffany huffin and puffin tryin to get back on defense. It's time to give credit where credit is due. Good job Texas and good job Tiffany Jackson...

HOOK 'EM BABY!!!

[swok34]

Sherri Coale........

Right now, the turnovers are bad. We need to go to the gym and work on it (turnovers). That’s what we did for two days (after the loss to Texas A&M). And we’ll do it again. Maybe we’re just trying too hard and trying to fix it all at once.

Doesn't the lack of calls encourage the rough play

Gary Blair.....
This was a game that was hard to officiate,” Blair said. "Anybody that officiates us knows that they've got to take a shower after they get finished, because we're going to give them decisions to be made.” Basketball is a contact sport.

Just in case you didn't know, I didn't know that it was, either.

Weren't the players asked at one time if they liked to play physical and they said yes, that they preferred a game that allows them to play without the whistle blowing all the time.

These kids are SO competitive, they probably wouldn't be playing DI ball if they weren't.

But I disagreed with Binchy and said so. I don't think namecalling of student athletes belongs anywhere and hopefully not here at Hoopscoop.

[BeBe]

I don't think namecalling of student athletes belongs anywhere and hopefully not here at Hoopscoop.

Hear hear!!!!

[Bball Girl]

I didn't think Jackson's foul was personal at all...just ugly and very frustrated.
And dumb in my opinion because after that foul, it appeared that the momentum swung OU's way.


She had an amazing line last night...wow! She looked like the Tiffany I remember from her freshman year.

[MsProudSooner]

Jackson is far more classier than Courtney will ever be.

Obviously, my username identifies me as an OU fan. I don't know anything about Tiffany, other than she's a terrific basketball player. You don't know anything about Courtney, other than she's a terrific basketball player - which you don't seem to want to give her credit for.

I'm going to assume that the 'kid' portion of your username is literal and you are a child.

[swok34]

http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/02/01/1texfem.html

http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/02/01/1golden.html

You could see it Wednesday as smaller Texas players bounced off Paris like burnt orange racquetballs hitting a crimson wall. Several times she was hacked on her arms while going up for a shot with no foul called. No complaints came from Paris.

"I can't be out there feeling sorry for myself,'' said Paris, sporting a mouse under her left eye left by an errant elbow from a Texas A&M player Saturday. "If they're fouling me, that's old news. My dad says if I have to go through them to score, then go do it."

[tx4OU]

TJ's shove to the face of CP3 was out of frustration IMHO. Nothing more, nothing less. A foul could have very easily been called on either Amanda or Courtney but wasn't. The officials allowed the play to continue and even when it appeared (from my view from the bar to the TV with no sound) there may have been tie-ups two different times, once by Amanda and the other by CP3, the call didn't come as quickly as it should have. Again just my opinion from what I saw. This doesn't make TJ nor CP3 worthy to be labeled poor sports or players with bad attitudes. The game had emotion, intensity and fire and that play carried on longer than it should have.

Anyone seeing anything differently is wearing their school's tinted glasses. And name calling just shows what kind of fan you are.

I read TJ's lips back in the Texas huddle while Britney was shooting the technical FTs and the camera was isolated on her. She said repeatedly, "It's my fault ya'll. It's my fault," while patting her chest. That shows me what kind of a person and player she is.

I'm very proud of both players and love watching them. And I was very glad to see Tiffany have such an incredible game. I'm just sad that it came against my team. I'm also glad Jody got this win, and again not happy it came against my team.

Poor sportmanship is when a play like that carries over into the rest of the game and players involved end up continuing the anymosity towards one another and things spiral from there. This didn't happen and everyone involved collected themselves and played like the outstanding players they are.

[35TangoTango]

TJ's shove to the face of CP3 was out of frustration IMHO. Nothing more, nothing less. A foul could have very easily been called on either Amanda or Courtney but wasn't. The officials allowed the play to continue and even when it appeared (from my view from the bar to the TV with no sound) there may have been tie-ups two different times, once by Amanda and the other by CP3, the call didn't come as quickly as it should have. Again just my opinion from what I saw. This doesn't make TJ nor CP3 worthy to be labeled poor sports or players with bad attitudes. The game had emotion, intensity and fire and that play carried on longer than it should have.

Anyone seeing anything differently is wearing their school's tinted glasses. And name calling just shows what kind of fan you are.

I read TJ's lips back in the Texas huddle while Britney was shooting the technical FTs and the camera was isolated on her. She said repeatedly, "It's my fault ya'll. It's my fault," while patting her chest. That shows me what kind of a person and player she is.

I'm very proud of both players and love watching them. And I was very glad to see Tiffany have such an incredible game. I'm just sad that it came against my team. I'm also glad Jody got this win, and again not happy it came against my team.

Poor sportmanship is when a play like that carries over into the rest of the game and players involved end up continuing the anymosity towards one another and things spiral from there. This didn't happen and everyone involved collected themselves and played like the outstanding players they are.

AMEN.

Small comment - this is the second incident I've seen recently of problems because of refs not blowing the whistle in time on a tie-ball situation. That's one place where I think there needs to be a quick whistle.

[JohnHenry]

There were numerous situations like that last night. I'm a big fan of let 'em play, but when a player has the bal and 3 opponents are slapping and clawing at her, sombody is committing a foul more often than not. Letting players get assaulted after a rebound is hardly a fair reward for their hard work. Then, the refs would walk the other way and whistle a little hand tap on an otherwise clear drive to the basket - no advantage gained by defender, ball-handler made the shot, no harm done, no rough stuff. What the hell is that all about? I'm not splitting any hairs or talking NBA-styler precision-officiating here. Just something sensible.

Tree was obviously fouled on that play, before the tie-up, and the officials were just standing there watching, so of course the Sooners kept reaching for the ball. Any well-coached players would while the play is still alive.

[Gator]

TJ is a great player and has proved it for 4 years. Last year must have been particularly frustrating because all of the pieces were there for a great year but the luck (for lack of a better word) needed to keep them all healthy and playing their best was not. This year hasn't been a bed of roses. But through it all TJ has been a great player. There is no need to call her names but her action in one split second can be labeled and the refs did: it is called unsportsmanlike conduct. The fact that she apologized is a major point in her favor. The fact that she did it in the first place is perhaps a consequence of frustration (OU was fighting hard to come back - the ref's call was late - etc.) and maybe other factors. As she said: "there was just a lot happening at once." The fact that she is a Senior and did it at that point in the game was a sophomore/freshman error that could have had worse consequences.

Had an OU woman done the same thing, I would be equally (actually, probably more) disappointed.

[binchy]

Jackson is far more classier than Courtney will ever be.

Jackson earned a technical by shoving Courtney in the face. CP has never assaulted another player like this.




Tiffany is more athletic than Courtney.

No, she isn't. CP is a first team All-American, Jackson is not.

I'm glad Courtney finally got a taste of her own medicine.

Again, CP has never gotten a technical for shoving an opposing player in the face. Jackson realized what she'd done was stupid and apologized to CP after the game. There's a difference between playing hard and poor sportsmanship.

That's all Courtney does. Hang down at the block, get the ball, turn to the left, throw an elbow, and shoot the ball.

This is what All-American post players have been doing for many years.


Tiffany is more agile. True, Courtney's bigger, but hey, you don't see Tiffany huffin and puffin tryin to get back on defense. It's time to give credit where credit is due. Good job Texas and good job Tiffany Jackson...



If CP averages more points, rebounds and blocks than Jackson while being less agile, then what does it matter? All players "huff and puff" trying to get back on defense. Yes, Texas won the game because OU didn't show up in the first half. And yes, Courtney is a better player than Jackson.

[hornhooks]

I enjoyed watching the game and I'm not going to get into the TJ/Courtney debate. We all love our teams and players respectively. Texas desperately needed a win and did just that. They won the game and it was NOT because OU did not show up in the first half. Texas was prepared and played a helluva defensive game. OU is a great team and they are hurting in the 'chemistry' category.....same bug that hit Texas over the past few seasons. Coale is an awesome coach and I have no doubt she will get the train back on track. This win over another Top Ten team was impressive and I'm going to enjoy it.....

[JK]

I enjoyed watching the game and I'm not going to get into the TJ/Courtney debate. We all love our teams and players respectively. Texas desperately needed a win and did just that. They won the game and it was NOT because OU did not show up in the first half. Texas was prepared and played a helluva defensive game. OU is a great team and they are hurting in the 'chemistry' category.....same bug that hit Texas over the past few seasons. Coale is an awesome coach and I have no doubt she will get the train back on track. This win over another Top Ten team was impressive and I'm going to enjoy it.....

Well-said!

The officiating in the conference has been mutually brutal. I'm sure TJ gets tired of two and three people hanging on her up and down the whole court damned-near constantly -- and she's not near as big and strong as CP. I'm pretty sure CP can relate, as she gives regular piggy-back rides too. Both are great players and the major cog in their respective teams' wheel. It gets physical inside -- that comes with the territory -- but the refs need to get control when the hanging-on and hacking reaches an inordinate level.

[mgood1]

Small comment - this is the second incident I've seen recently of problems because of refs not blowing the whistle in time on a tie-ball situation. That's one place where I think there needs to be a quick whistle.
There was the double technical :confused: when Leah Rush and Patrice Edwards were fighting for the ball in the OU-Tech game. Should have been a whistle blown long before it could get to that point.

[MsProudSooner]

but the refs need to get control when the hanging-on and hacking reaches an inordinate level.

I agree completely, but I don't have much faith that it will happen. I first noticed the problem when Waymon Tisdale was playing and he has kids old enough to be in college now!

[swok34]

There was the double technical :confused: when Leah Rush and Patrice Edwards were fighting for the ball in the OU-Tech game. Should have been a whistle blown long before it could get to that point.

I think there was another possession in this same game, mgood..same issue. Leah is an elbow thrower when she rebounds under the basket, scares the bejuxus out of me. And even though Leah had the inital possession, it was a jump ball at some point.

[#1OUWBBFAN]

I couldn't help but think of this game while I was watching the Georgia/LSU game last night. It was a very hard fought game with big implications in the SEC. I believe Georgia was down 6 points at half time. They start a true freshman point guard and only had 2 turnovers in the entire second half. And the point guard made a truly great play at the buzzer to win the game. What fun!! I didn't think you could play great basketball without a turnover every minute or two.

And Tim Overman probably gets a little credit for the lack of ACL injuries. I heard that Sampson tried to get him to go to Indiana with him. I do miss Bo but hey, if he was partially responsible for the ACL's, then he had to go I guess. ;)