Sooners look for revenge on Jayhawks Saturday at 7 p.m.
March 1, 2013
| |
 |
| |
Nicole Griffin |
GAME PREVIEW
• Oklahoma (19-9, 9-7 Big 12) hosts Kansas (16-11, 7-9) at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m.
• Bob Carpenter (play-by-play) and Billy Tubbs (analyst) have the call with Jessica Coody reporting from the sideline on Sooner Sports TV’s broadcast on FS Oklahoma and FCS Pacific.
• The radio broadcast with Brian Brinkley on play-by-play and Colton Coale as color analyst will air on KOKC 1520 AM and KREF 1400 AM in the Oklahoma City metro area.
• A replay of the game will be available to watch online at SoonerSports.tv following the live broadcast.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR OU HOME GAMES
• Tickets may be purchased online at SoonerSports.com or by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-456-GoOU.
• Single-game tickets are available with prices beginning at $5 for general admission seating.
• OU students receive free admission at Oklahoma home games when presenting a valid ID.
NOTABLE
• OU claimed its 700th victory in its 39-year history Wednesday, Feb. 20, vs. Kansas State. OU’s all-time record is 700-471 (.598).
• OU graduate Whitney Hand was named to the five-member, inaugural Allstate WBCA Good Works Team.
• OU assistant coach Jan Ross won the 2013 Carol Eckman Award, presented by the WBCA to a member who exemplifies integrity and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication.
• Oklahoma and Kansas are meeting for the 59th time.
• The Jayhawks tied the all-time series, 29-29, with an 81-71 victory in Lawrence on Feb. 17. It was Kansas’ second consecutive iwn against Oklahoma, who won the previous 15 straight. The Sooners have a 15-9 advantage over the Jayhawks in Norman.
• Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale is 376-177 (.680) in her 17th season. She has been the Big 12 Coach of the Year four times.
• Bonnie Henrickson in 154-132 (.538) in her ninth season at Kansas and 333-204 (.620) in her 17th overall.
NEXT GAME
• Oklahoma visits Texas Tech in Lubbock Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m., for the regular-season finale for both teams.
• The game will be televised on FS Southwest Plus.
| Kansas Projected Starters |
Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Ht. |
Year |
2012-13 Stats / Notes |
G |
3 |
Angel Goodrich |
5-4 |
Sr. |
14.5 points, 6.7 assists |
G |
13 |
Monica Engelman |
5-11 |
Sr. |
9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds |
G |
24 |
CeCe Harper |
5-8 |
Jr. |
4.9 points, 2.5 rebounds |
F |
15 |
Chelsea Gardner |
6-3 |
So. |
8.7 points, 6.4 rebounds |
C |
21 |
Carolyn Davis |
6-3 |
Sr. |
15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds |
|
| Oklahoma Projected Starters |
Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Ht. |
Year |
2012-13 Stats / Notes |
G |
10 |
Morgan Hook |
5-10 |
Jr. |
10.4 points, 5.4 assists |
G |
3 |
Aaryn Ellenberg |
5-7 |
Jr. |
18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds |
G |
24 |
Sharane Campbell |
5-10 |
So. |
9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds |
F |
53 |
Joanna McFarland |
6-3 |
Sr. |
8.7 points, 10.0 rebounds |
C |
4 |
Nicole Griffin |
6-6 |
Jr. |
11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds |
|
| |
| Player to Watch |
 |
Aaryn Ellenberg | Jr. | Guard
• Needs three 3-pointers to reset OU's single-season record, which she set as a freshman with 94 makes in the 2010-11 season.
• Needs eight 3-pointers to pass Erin Higgins (2003-07) for OU's career 3-pointers made record.
• Ranks ninth on OU's career scoring list with 1,616 points.
• Ranks third in NCAA for 3-point percentage (.434). |
|
|
| |
|
CLEAR VISION
With 19 wins, Oklahoma needs just one for its eighth consecutive 20-win season, which would be the program’s 18th overall. One win would also guarantee the Sooners a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament for the fifth consecutive season.
CLOSING ON TWO RECORDS
Aaryn Ellenberg is eight 3-pointers shy of becoming Oklahoma’s career 3-pointers made record. Erin Higgins totaled 268 through the 2003-07 seasons.
Ellenberg needs two 3-pointers to match the OU single-season record (94) for makes she set as a freshman in 2010-11.
Ellenberg is also 38 points shy of passing Caton Hill (2000-04) and Jacquetta Hurley (1983-86), who both scored 1,653 points, for seventh on OU’s career scoring list.
MILESTONE VICTORY
Oklahoma’s 72-57 win over Kansas State on Feb. 20 was the program’s 700th. Three coaches (Amy Dahl, 1; Maura McHugh, 100 and 200; and Burl Plunkett, 300) scored the first four milestone victories while Sherri Coale has coached the last four. Here’s a look at the Sooners’ milestone wins:
| Win |
Game |
Date |
Opponent |
Site |
Score |
| 1 |
8 |
Feb. 8, 1975 |
NE (Okla.) State |
Edmond |
55-51 |
| 100 |
217 |
Dec. 6, 1982 |
Phillips |
Norman |
93-57 |
| 200 |
358 |
Feb. 7, 1984 |
Missouri |
Norman |
86-76 |
| 300 |
574 |
Jan. 13, 1995 |
Nebraska |
Norman |
63-62 |
| 400 |
761 |
Feb. 24, 2001 |
Oklahoma State |
Norman |
88-83 (OT) |
| 500 |
902 |
Nov. 16, 2005 |
New Mexico |
Albuquerque |
74-63 |
| 600 |
1,023 |
Feb. 14, 2009 |
Kansas |
Lawrence |
69-54 |
| 700 |
1,169 |
Feb. 20, 2013 |
Kansas State |
Norman |
72-57 |
OPENING STANCE
An early advantage is important as OU is 15-0 when leading at halftime and 4-9 when tied or trailing. On average, Oklahoma holds opponents to 36.7 percent field goal shooting and 26.3 percent 3-point shooting in first halves. The Sooners have held opponents to 25 or fewer first-half points in nine games and 30 or fewer in 16 games.
DEFENSIVE POSTURE
Of Oklahoma’s 19 wins, 17 have a common thread -- the Sooner defense held its opponent to 40 percent or lower field goal shooting. The Sooners won at TCU 85-79 when they shot 44.6 percent on Jan. 9 and at Kansas State against a 40.3 percent clip. In OU’s victories, opponents have averaged 33.2 percent from the field. In OU’s losses, opponents have connected on an average of 46.8 percent of their shots.
OKLAHOMA-BAYLOR SERIES HISTORY
Oklahoma and Kansas are meeting for the 29th time. The series is tied 29 games apiece.
| Last Five Meetings |
| Date |
Score |
Site |
| Feb. 17, 2013 |
Kansas 81, Oklahoma 71 | Recap |
Lawrence, Kan. |
| March 4, 2012 |
Kansas 83, Oklahoma 77 | Recap |
Norman, Okla. |
| Jan. 31, 2012 |
Oklahoma 78, Kansas 64 (OT) | Recap |
Lawrence, Kan. |
| Jan. 23, 2011 |
Oklahoma 75, Kansas 57 | Recap |
Lawrence, Kan. |
| Jan. 23, 2010 |
Oklahoma 81, Kansas 69 | Recap |
Norman, Okla. |
HAND NAMED TO GOOD WORKS TEAM
OU’s Whitney Hand was named to the Inaugural Allstate WBCA Division I Good Works Team, announced by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Feb. 26. The WBCA Good Works Team is composed of women’s basketball student-athletes who make outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. These individuals embody the true spirit of “teamwork” and “giving back” through commendable acts of kindness. Read more.
ROSS WINS WBCA'S CAROL ECKMAN AWARD
Assistant coach Jan Ross was named winner of the 2013 Carol Eckman Award on Feb. 27. The Carol Eckman Award is presented annually to an active WBCA member coach who exemplifies Eckman’s spirit, integrity and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose. Read more.
RECORD TRACKER
Aaryn Ellenberg and Nicole Griffin continue to ascend Oklahoma career statistical lists.
| Oklahoma Career Records |
| Career Scoring |
| 1. |
Courtney Paris (2006-09) |
2.729 |
| 5. |
La'Neishea Caufield (1999-2002) |
2,125 |
| 6. |
Stacey Dales (1998-2002) |
1,920 |
| 7. |
Jacquetta Hurley (1983-86) and Caton Hill (2000-04) |
1,653 |
| 9. |
Aaryn Ellenberg (2011-Present) |
1,616 |
| Career 3FG Made |
| 1. |
Erin Higgins (2003-07) |
268 |
| 2. |
Aaryn Ellenberg (2011-Present) |
261 |
| 3. |
Etta Maytubby (1993-96) |
174 |
| 4. |
Nyeshia Stevenson (2007-10) |
167 |
| 5. |
Whitney Hand (2009-2013) |
164 |
| Blocks |
| 1. |
Courtney Paris (2006-09) |
446 |
| 2. |
LaNae Jones (1993-96) |
243 |
| 3. |
Nicole Griffin (2011-Present) |
122 |
| 4. |
Amanda Thompson (2007-10) |
122 |
| 5. |
Ashley Paris (2006-09) |
114 |
| Sooner Sports Rankings |
| Sport |
Rank* |
| Men's Basketball |
RV |
| Women's Basketball |
RV |
| Baseball |
10 |
| Softball |
1 |
| Men's Golf |
27 |
| Women's Golf |
3 |
| Men's Gymnastics |
3 |
| Women's Gymnastics |
1 |
| Men's Tennis |
5 |
| Women's Tennis |
37 |
| Men's Track & Field |
21 |
| Women's Track & Field |
23 |
| Wrestling |
10 |
| *Highest rank if multiple polls. |
|
|
| |
|
ACROSS-THE-BOARD ACHIEVEMENT
Each of Oklahoma’s 13 sports currently in season is ranked or receiving votes in their respective national polls. Rowing's preseason poll is released in mid-March.
ELLENBERG A NAISMITH AWARD CANDIDATE
University of Oklahoma junior Aaryn Ellenberg was designated one of 30 candidates eligible for the Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club Feb. 27. In late March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will condense the group to four finalists. Read more.
BOARD GAMES
Joanna McFarland averaged 2.0 points, 4.0 rebounds (2-8 FG) before being benched after three games in favor of freshman Maddie Manning. In 25 games since, McFarland averaged 9.5 points and 10.7 rebounds (started last 19 games). She has nine or more rebounds in 20 of those 25 games, and double-digit rebounds in 16 of the last 20 games, including a career-high 16 versus Texas Tech on Jan. 12, Baylor on Jan. 26 and West Virginia on Feb. 3.
Since returning to the starting lineup in the last 19 games, McFarland averages 10.4 points and 11.2 rebounds.
BLOCK PARTY
Aaryn Ellenberg, a 5-7 shooting guard, has eight blocks in her last 15 games. In 82 career games prior, she totaled only three. Quipped Ellenberg: “I think I’m bigger than I am.”
