Oklahoma Sooners
Overall Rank: #31
Conference Rank: #4 Big 12
Oklahoma Team Page
Oklahoma stumbled into the NCAA Tournament last season, finishing with a 9-9 record in Big 12 play and just 18 wins on the season. That is not the type of season the Sooners expect. But it could be more of the same this season. This is a very young team and a team that lost three starters and three of their top four scorers. But the talent is there for Coach Sherri Coale to turn things around in a hurry too.
2013-14 Record: 18-15, 9-9
2013-14 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Sherri Coale
Coach Record: 399-194 at Oklahoma, 399-194 overall
Strengths:
While many former role players step into starring roles, OU will rely on Sharane Campbell-Olds to lead the way and help replace the scoring of the departed Aaryn Ellenberg. The senior guard was second on the team with 12.6 points per game and 5.4 rebounds. She is not much of a shooter, but Campbell-Olds does not lack in toughness when it comes to attacking the basket. The backcourt has plenty of other options too. Nicole Kornet is a big 6-1 junior who can shoot over most opposing defenders. Gioya Carter showed plenty of potential during her freshman campaign. She started 18 contests, but never really found her shooting stroke. With other sophomores like Derica Wyatt and T’ona Edwards, the Sooners have a ton of very talented players who gained valuable experience last season. Maddie Manning has been around for a couple years, but ACL injuries have derailed her collegiate career thus far. Back in 2012-2013, as a freshman, she played in six games and started three before missing the rest of the season. She missed all of last year. At 6-2, she is a tall guard who has a lot of versatility. Coach Coale also adds Peyton Little, a transfer from Texas A&M, and Gabbi Ortiz, one of the best incoming freshmen guards in the country.
Weaknesses:
But Ortiz could have her hands full during her freshman campaign. The point guard duties could fall to her and there are big shoes to fill after Morgan Hook averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 assists during her final season in Norman. There are other players who can handle the ball on this team, but Ortiz is the best pure point guard option. Size will not be a problem with this team, but there are not many experienced interior scorers on the team. Kaylon Williams, a 6-3 forward, was productive off of the bench last season, but tends to get into foul trouble. Keep an eye out for 6-4 freshman Vionise Pierre-Louis. She should at least be able to play solid defense this year, even if it takes a year or two for her offense to come around.
Final Projection:
As usual, the talent is abundant at Oklahoma. It was last season too, but the Sooners limped to a disappointing season by their standards. Now there is even less experience and Coach Coale has some work to do in order to put all of the pieces together. In the end, this team may not be able to take home a Big 12 title, but there are just too many weapons to miss out on the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA Tournament
Projected Starting Five:
Gabbi Ortiz, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Peyton Little, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Sharane Campbell-Olds, Senior, Guard, 12.6 points per game
Nicole Kornet, Junior, Guard, 6.1 points per game
Kaylon Williams, Junior, Forward, 7.0 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.5 (27th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.9 (223, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.8 (39, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.6 (96, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.6 (76, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.8 (102, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.8 (31, 2)
Rebound Margin: 2.7 (99, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.1 (117, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.9 (168, 7)
Madness 2014 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#15 Gabrielle Ortiz
#99 Vionise Pierre-Louis
See All Top 44 Women’s Basketball Previews
