Oklahoma Sooners
Overall Rank: #29
Conference Rank: #3 Big 12
Oklahoma has been to the NCAA Tournament every season since 2000. But with a 16-15 record last season, it was probably the closest call during that long stretch. There are some reasons for concern this year with the departure of Vionise Pierre-Louis, Maddie Manning and Gabbi Ortiz. Those three were all double digit scorers and Pierre-Louis was a dominating force in the paint. Once again Coach Sherri Coale has brought in more than enough talent to replace the lost players, but the talented group of freshmen will need to be ready to contribute right away.
2017-18 Record: 16-15, 11-7
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Sherri Coale
Coach Record: 481-242 at Oklahoma, 481-242 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Vionise Pierre-Louis, Center, 15.9 ppg
Maddie Manning, Guard, 12.6 ppg
Gabbi Ortiz, Guard, 12.4 ppg
LaNesia Williams, Guard, 4.6 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Shaina Pellington, Sophomore, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Ana Llanusa, Sophomore, Guard, 12.6 ppg
Mandy Simpson, Sophomore, Forward, 2.3 ppg
Gileysa Penzo, Senior, Guard, 2.2 ppg
Ijeoma Odimgbe, Senior, Forward, 2.1 ppg
Key New Players
Clary Donica, Freshman, Forward
Nydia Lampkin, Freshman, Forward
Jessi Murcer, Freshman, Guard
Taylor Robertson, Freshman, Guard
Tatum Veitenheimer, Freshman, Guard
Madi Williams, Freshman, Guard/Forward
Aspen Williston, Freshman, Center
Projection:
Sophomore guards Shaina Pellington and Ana Llanusa are suddenly the experienced players on the team. Pellington proved to be a very effective scorer attacking the basket, while Llanusa can emerge as a decent all-around scoring threat with more consistency on her outside shot. Mandy Simpson started a few games as a freshman. The only other two players returning are seniors Gileysa Penzo and Ijeoma Odimgbe. That means this roster consists of three sophomores, two seniors who did not play much last season and seven freshmen. This bodes well for the future, but is a cause for concern this season. But those freshmen are pretty good. Madi Williams, a 6-0 wing, is one of the best freshmen in the country and should be a major scoring threat from day one. If players like guards Tatum Veitenheimer and Taylor Robertson can live up to their potential, Oklahoma could compete for a Big 12 title despite the lack of experience.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.0 (32th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.7 (320, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (40, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.8 (266, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (122, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.4 (102, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.3 (202, 8)
Rebound Margin: 1.2 (146, 6)
Assists Per Game:12.8 (198, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.4 (158, 9)
Madness 2018 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#12 Madison Williams
#57 Tatum Veitenheimer
#102 Taylor Robertson
