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March 06, 2006 | Women's Basketball
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale met with media on the eve of her team's departure for the Big 12 Championship at Dallas' Reunion Arena.
The top-seed Sooners will play No. 8-seed Texas or No. 9-seed Iowa State on Wednesday at Noon CST. The game is being broadcast nationally by Fox Sports Net with Bill Land on play-by-play and Brenda VanLengen on color commentary.
Below are quotes from a portion of her media session:
On the team's development during the conference season:
“We grew up over the course of two months. When you have two freshmen playing the dominant roles that these guys play, there should be a lot of maturation. Internal as well as external growth, meaning we are better together, our timing, our spacing on offense is better and our help and recovery on defense is better. But also our mentality is better as a group and that just comes from the growth particularly of those young guys.”
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On where the 16-0 Big 12 season ranks in terms of the accomplishments of this program:
“It's up there with maybe the top five. Obviously, the first time we went to the Sweet 16, the National Runner-Up finish, winning four in Dallas en route to the Big 12 tournament championship when we were a fifth or sixth seed. It's right up there.”
On carrying the momentum from the regular season over to the Big 12 Tournament:
“I think so. I think you have to be conscientious of it and make sure that you build on all the things that gained you that momentum in the first place. I think that is the key. You know, why did we go 16-0 and staying with that mentality and direction. I think you got to capitalize on that. It doesn't just automatically shift. I think you have to make it happen.”
On a preference as to who OU plays in the Quarterfinals:
“I do not have a preference. It has been so long since we played Iowa State, seen Texas twice, it doesn't really matter. My whole attitude about post-season play is you've got to be good enough to beat everybody anyway, so it doesn't really matter.”
On Texas:
“They're playing with a sense of urgency because Texas just does not, not go to the NCAA Tournament. They're just a staple there. So them being in the precarious position that they're in right now, I'm sure it has created quite a sense of urgency and frustration. With that being said, they're very young and very talented. I am sure that Tiffany Jackson is going to be in super-human form trying to see that they get to extend their season. They're a dangerous team.
On Iowa State and Guard Lyndsey Medders:
“They're capable of getting on a role and really giving you problems in terms of shooting the ball. I think when Lyndsey Medders is well, healthy, they're a different team. She was healthy when we played them early in the year, but I think one of the reasons they incurred some of those losses was the absence of her. She makes them obviously a different team and you've got to shoot well against Iowa State. That's how you beat them.
On what it will take to win the Big 12 Championship:
“Rebounding is absolutely critical. If we out-rebound our opponents in all three games, we will probably win. Step beyond that, consistency at the free-throw line and balanced scoring.”
On preparing differently for the Big 12 Championship:
“No, more of the same. A tighter focus perhaps.