OKLAHOMA CITY — There’s a lot to admire about the Oklahoma women’s basketball program.
The Sooners (18-2) are ranked second nationally and have a 14-game winning streak. Included is an 86-75 victory over then-No.9 Cal on Dec. 13, during which they set an NCAA record by overcoming a 26-point halftime deficit in regulation.
Oklahoma has one of the nation’s best players in center Courtney Paris and some of the most supportive fans. Saturday afternoon’s turnout against Missouri was estimated at 9,320.
“It’s ridiculous,” freshman guard Whitney Hand said. “We’re playing an unranked team and we still had thousands of fans here.”
Perhaps even more of those fans will be in the Ford Center at 7:30 tonight (TV: ESPN2) to watch Oklahoma play No. 13 Tennessee (16-4).
The Sooners present a formidable roadblock to Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, who’s one victory shy of career win No. 1,000. And to think she had a helping hand in their presence, period.
Debra Copp, Oklahoma’s former sports information director, sent an e-mail on Friday to Debby Jennings, the Lady Vols associate athletics director for media relations, recounting the events surrounding the 1990 Women’s Final Four in Knoxville. OU athletic officials picked that unlikely time to try to drop the women’s basketball program.
Led by the late Kay Yow, whose funeral was Friday, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association sprang into action. With the Lady Vols out of the tournament, Summitt was available for interviews on the topic throughout the weekend.
In 2005, after Summitt became the all-time winningest basketball coach, men’s or women’s, at a four-year school, Copp sent her a thankful e-mail.
“With all her victories at Tennessee, the most important one may have been for a school she never coached — the University of Oklahoma,’’ said Copp, who’s the director of publications for OU’s athletic department. “And now it appears to have come full circle. I’m not sure Hollywood could have come up with a story like that.”
Summitt’s memory of that Final Four weekend is foggy, and she downplays her role in what took place. But even she can’t deny the irony of the present circumstances.
“To even think now, they’re ranked second in the country,’’ Summitt said. “They have a great program.”
Because of that, Summitt’s thoughts are squarely in the present, where she and her team have more than one Paris to worry about. While the 6-foot-4 Courtney continues adding to her NCAA-record streak of consecutive double-doubles (112 and counting), twin sister Ashley is having her best season, averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game.
“I just think that the key factor for Oklahoma has been Ashley Paris has been their X-factor,’’ Missouri coach Cindy Stein said. “She has done a tremendous job of getting better.”
Hand, meanwhile, has boosted Oklahoma’s perimeter scoring with a team-leading 39 3-pointers.
“Last year, we were not worried about their perimeter scoring and we would just try and pack it in and now you can’t do that,’’ Stein said. “They are all playing really well together.”
Tennessee’s attempt to summon a worthy team response could be stymied on several fronts.
First, there’s the injury situation. Sophomore forward Vicki Baugh continues to be slowed by a left-knee sprain and is, at best, questionable.
Then there’s the absence of freshman forward Amber Gray, who didn’t make the trip because she didn’t finish a conditioning workout.
If Baugh doesn’t play, UT will have nine available players and only three of them will have more than a full season’s worth of experience.
“We all know we can win this game,’’ UT freshman forward Alyssia Brewer said. “It’s just a matter of how hard we want to work on the court. All of the little things that we want to do, getting loose balls, having all the hustle plays, you just have to do the little things. It’s possession after possession.”
Those objectives are both admirable and advisable.
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Comments » 28
bmaples writes:
<blockquote>“We all know we can win this game,’’ UT freshman forward Alyssia Brewer said.</blockquote>
Hmm ... not to sound disloyal, Alyssia, but <u>I'm</u> certainly not sure you can win this game. In fact, if you play like you did against, say, Auburn, you'll lose by a bunch. This ain't Sisters of the Poor you're playing; it's a team with two girls named Paris who are both averaging double-doubles, and who would just as soon knock you into the third row of seats as look at you.
Last year's team had Parker, Hornbuckle, a lot more quickness, and better defense. If every Baby Lady Vol plays the best defense of their lives, then you may have a shot.
I'll be cheering like mad for you, and hope you pull it off. But I'd be careful about saying things like "we know we can win" -- those Paris girls don't need any extra motivation.
Good luck, and Go Lady Vols!
Bruce in Louisville
murrayvol writes:
Nothing disloyal about that post bmaples. Just the facts man. OU's a tough out.
ncvol writes:
Pat is such a "gem" and she is the coach of our Lady Vols. 999 wins- Sure hope we bring our best game and get a Win on the road to make it 1000. Go Vols!
Kay Yow will be so missed...she was a "jewel",also.
YankeeVol writes:
I hope they win, too -- although it's going to be uphill.
What is the story with Amber Gray? It sounds like she has decided to lock horns with Pat, instead of actually playing for the team. I'm picturing a rebellious adolescent who ticking off her overly strict mom....you know, the kind of mom who is not afraid to embarrass you at the mall....
xvolx writes:
strickland should be playing small forward. Manning could develope into good pt. guard over time. We need Baugh and Cain in this game. Without them doesnt look good. Give Bass a warm spot on the bench and leave her there. Johnson will eat a lot of front of the face shots under the goal. Way to go Gray. Sounds like a transfer in the making.
richvol writes:
Amber...don't give up. I realize it doesn't seem like it but this is an opportunity for you. The toughest times are the chance to grow in self confidence and character. It's just hard to see it when you're hurting.
You have the ability...please don't give up. Pat wants to bring that ability out of you.
It would be a major upset but if the girls can pull this off what an accomplishment it would be to knock off # 2 at their place for the 1000th.
tractoronthepole writes:
Well maybe a few more details would have made this article a little better. They sprang into action and then what happened?
dwa7#337691 writes:
sadly.........prediction.........
OKIE 82
Ut 69
in a rout.............oh well........we are very young
LadyVolFanForever writes:
The list of accomplishments that Coach Summitt is responsible for would amaze even us diehard Lady Vol fans !
I agree with richvol. I hope Amber Gray will find the strength and desire to fulfill her potential with us. She obviously had a desire to play for Coach Summitt and her staff and they obviously wanted her here. It is a tough road to ride but the staff only wants to make you the best that you can be. Hang tough and work hard, great things do not come easy !
98reax writes:
Too bad about Amber Gray. She is walking a thin line with Pat, is she not?
Since things are slow today, I'll be nostalgic with a post reaching back into another 'iffy' season, 2/2/97, a game verses Mississippi. Our Lady Vols, led by Abby Conklin's hot hand came out blazing for the 'first time that season,' as stated in the article, and jumped out to a 21-8 advantage in the first 6 minutes. A home-game crowd of 13,481 saw Tif Johnson's game-best, 16 points, 13 rebounds, Chamiqua Holdsclaw with 15 points, Kellie Jolly 14 points 7 assists and Conklin and Misty Greene 10 points each.
The game changed drastically in the second half as the gals in orange failed to score in the first 3 minutes and Ole Miss pulled even at 47-47 within 6 minutes.
Once again, just as the Baby Vols have done on a few occasions this 08/09 season, the Pat Summitt team dug down deep and pulled out a doozie. The game ended with an 18 footer by Abby Conklin with 0.8 on the clock. Final score, LV-74 Rebels-72.
That was a pretty cool day for 98reax. I was able to get Pat, Tif Johnson and Chamiqua Holdsclaw to sign a Lady Vols basketball for my one-year-old niece. She's remained a Tennessee fan, despite growing up in a family of Crimson Tide wannabes. She has been mentored by a former UT cheerleader and she got her big chance to march with the Pride of the Southland Band half-time show during a Vols Footbal game last fall. I feel hopeful that she will be on the cheer squad in 4 or 5 years. Would I rather she be playing point guard for the Lady Vols? What do you think?
ladivolfan writes:
I have a love hate relationship with games like this. Blood pressure rising, heart racing, sweaty palms, sitting on the edge of my coffee table, yelling at stupid mistakes that cause turnovers, not understanding why Pat put HER in or doesn't take HER out or doesn't put HER in, knowing Pat will chew them up and spit them out in the locker room at half time and being completely hoarse 10 minutes into the last half. It's the most fun EVER!
TENN80 writes:
While Pat Head Summit is probably the best woman's basketball coach in the world, I believe that some personnel changes are needed on the team. Manning should become the point guard and Strickland should be moved to forward. With Johnson, Brewer, and Strickland on the front line rebounding should improve. Basketball is about rebounding and turnovers. If you excel in those two areas you will be a winner.
armyvol544 writes:
I was reading this article and I was wanting to know what Pat did for OU. I did not find it. In the article they mentioned that Pat helped them out. How? The article did not say.
Does anyone know what she did for them? I guess I was overseas.
Southland writes:
the 1000 mark will be hit but next game at home I hope the jerk at Conneticut can not catch Pat although it sure seems likely he will surpass her with National champs just never with an ounce of class
Volunatic writes:
Brewer didn't say the Lady Vols WILL win, she just said they CAN win.
I won't bet the ranch on UT winning, but then I wouldn't bet the ranch against it, either. Last I checked, Pat Summitt was still coaching the Lady Vols. Anything CAN happen.
GO LADY VOLS!!! Beat Oklahoma!
Volunatic writes:
A little early to start moaning about a loss and making excuses. Let them at least play the game before doing that. Sure, the Lady Vols probably need their best performance of the season to win, but "no time like the present"!
98reax writes:
TENN80, I agree about the turnovers and the board work. We have to get a handle. The Sooners will turn those TOs into points. The Paris sisters will take those boards and create breakaways and putbacks. We absolutely have to play with much more ball control than we have been.
Our big girls have been so plagued by injury, we've not been able to maintain our post play. We have used multiple combinations down low but as of yet, that has not been our strength. IMO, post play has to be solid and productive to win tonight. I cannot imagine how an outside game will produce enough points to stay in this game, BUT, the guys sure did it against Florida, despite what those dufus commentators opined.
Our shots will have to be falling at a percentage far exceeding what we have seen thus far. We will need that X-factor. Who will it be? Could it be Brewer? Is she capable of making her presence known down low? Will Angie step up and play a complete game? Can Pat inspire a capable floor general? Will our short bench be productive and play to their strengths? Will Glory Johnson stay out of foul trouble and assert herself? OR, will we have to go after 1K against Andy Landers?
Where's that Witch Doctor? What do bones tell you today?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Yeah, she's a real puzzle at this point. If she doesn't get an attitude adjustment, she will be gone next year. Too bad if it happens. Someone needs to tell her the story of Sade Wiley-Gatewood from a few years ago. A much-decorated HS AA, she couldn't get with Pat's program, transferred to Maryland, rode the bench, and, as far as I know, dropped off the world. I hope her present immaturity, if that's what it is, doesn't prevent her from taking advantage of the best opportunity she is likely to have as an athlete. Not everybody has what it takes to be a Lady Vol!
volchiq writes:
I think that they alluded, but didn't flat out say, that since the Lady Vols had gotten put out of the tournament here in Knoxville Pat put in a lot of time doing interviews giving OU bad press for wanting to end their women's basketball program. I guess that they appreciate her bringing the issued to the public and stirring up a classy fuss. Classy b/c that is the way Pat does everything.
ncvol writes:
I saw Wiley-Gatewood play this weekend with Maryland surfing the channels. She seems to be playing alright.
I agree about Grey staying with UT and not missing out on her opportunity to play for the Lady Vols!
mississippi writes:
i agree
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I didn't even know she was still in school! IIRC, she came in with Candace's class. She left in the middle of her freshman season at UT, then sat out half of the following season. I guess she could have had a red-shirt year in there somewhere. Well, MD is still pretty good, but Sade could have been part of TWO national championships at UT. She was AT MD when they won theirs, but she didn't have much to do with it. Funny, though; she supposedly left because she wasn't going to be the star of the team. I could be wrong, but I sure haven't heard about it if she is the star of the current MD team.
volball7222 writes:
News flash!! IF the Lady Vols play for the joy of the game...with great heart...they have the talent to win this game. The men did it against UF...now it's the ladies turn.
CTOWNICON writes:
YOU COULD NOT HAVE PUT IT ANY BETTER. I DO THE SAME THING LOL.
CTOWNICON writes:
PAT NEEDS TO FIND A POINT GUARD FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE IT AINT MANNING. MANNING CANT HANDLE DEFENSIVE PRESSURE SHE TURNS THE BALL OVER EVERY TIME THEY COME AT HER. THE POINT FOR LADY VOLS IS VERY WEAK THIS YEAR. I HOPE A POINT GUARD IS COMING IN FROM SOMEWHERE NEXT YEAR OR THE ONES WE HAVE GET BETTER.
fortandrews writes:
They have a big mountain to climb. They can do if they play like they did on January 3, 2009. They have to put it together as a TEAM less they fail in their climb tonight. And if they do not finish the climb I hope ALL of the fans get behind them and pull for number 1000 for Pat. Play - live -learn - and grow so you can climb the next mountain.
catch24rules writes:
Pat did a lot of Interviews about the state of Women's basketball on a lot of the half time shows.
Last Nights game:
I think we made a mistake in not red shirting Baugh and giving her a full year to rehab her knee. I hope for a good word today on her status after being wheeled off the court last night, But the way things looked it doesn't look good.
Let's all pray for the best that she's ok.
BigRMan writes:
Don't worry about Geno Auriema passing Coach Summitt. Geno's last title for the foreseeable future will be this year.As of 2009-'10 and for the next 3 years after that Brittany Griner (6'8") with the skill set of Candace Parker, Griner can dunk from a drop step will make sure Kim Mulkey and Baylor will be nipping at his heels. So if Maya Moore doesn't get Geno the title this year Mulkey will also have 5 National Championships by 2013. Coach Summitt will still be in front with eight, and hopefully able to recruit a bonafide big girl with skills, and a point guard who can be her extension on the court. By that time, Coach Summitt should be over 1100 career wins
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