Jason Detrick Journal No. 6

OU senior guard Jason Detrick takes Sooner fans behind the scenes as Oklahoma plays its 2003-04 season. This is the sixth installment of Detrick's journal. Submit your own question to Jason by clicking the link at the end of this journal entry.

Jason Detrick
Journal Entry No. 6 (Feb. 5, 2003)
(Detrick sat down to do his journal in the locker room following Oklahoma's 75-48 win over Iowa State in Norman on Wednesday night.)
Our guys knew we had to step up to the challenge. We'd endured three embarrassing losses and one that was a close loss at home. We lost Kevin (Bookout) too, so we knew we needed to step up. We're down to nine guys and all nine guys were going to play. Everybody's practicing harder and getting better individually so that helps the team get better. We've taken it upon ourselves to do anything we can to help the team out.

We're 4-3 now in the Big 12 and we have to take it one game at a time. You can't look back at the Missouri game and wish you could have it back -- because Nebraska could probably do the same thing with the game we won up there. We've got Texas on Sunday so we have to be prepared and play well against a good team on the road.

Jason, I don't like the answer in your last journal about who was the best defender you've been up against in practice. You know it was Hollis. I guess Quannas told you to say him but you know the real answer.
- Hollis from New Orleans, La.

Hollis, you were a lucky defender. You were lucky when I went up against you. For some reason I always missed when I was wide open and you were around me. But, you were a good defender too. Q didn't tell me to say that -- I'll give you second.

Out of the many freshmen on the team, who has the most leadership?
- Kayla from Bixby, Okla.

Drew (Lavendar) is probably the freshman that shows the most leadership. As the point guard, he's sort of the coach on the floor and he has to get us in our positions. So, he'd be the one I'd say has the most leadership.

Jason, do the fans make a difference if they are loud and supportive?
- Connie from Norman, Okla.

Yes, the crowd does make a difference. They pump us up and -- especially if we're in a drought -- they pick us up. If we're in a big run -- it's a huge factor to have the crowd behind you. If all things are even, it helps to put you over the hump.

Do you feel extra pressure to score with Kevin Bookout out for the season?
- Sam from Fort Gibson, Okla.

Not really extra pressure to score but extra pressure to rebound. Kevin was such a great rebounder. That's really the biggest thing with him.

Jason, what are the Sooners going to have to do to get back to the Final Four? My class will be watching!
- Shirlene from Springfield, Mo.

We just have to continue to play our defense and our two-three zone just has to continue to get better. Everyone has to continue to get better. We have to go on the road and win some games. To get back to the Final Four will be really tough. We just have to play our hardest every game and see what happens.

Do you have aspirations of playing at the NBA level and what are your plans after basketball?
- Chance from Houston, Texas

Yeah, I have dreams of playing in the NBA or just pro ball anywhere -- overseas maybe. If that doesn't work out, I'll probably be a school teacher. That's it!

- #5 Jason Detrick

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