University of Oklahoma Athletics
Mossman Prophecies No. 022
July 02, 2007 | Athletics
July 2, 2007
Call it the double-double dilemma.
Courtney Paris takes a string of 36 double-doubles
(double digit points and rebounds in the same game)
into Sunday's 2 p.m., contest against Northern
Colorado.
She extended that string last Sunday in OU's
win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
In the post-game interviews, the question was raised
for both Paris and head coach Sherri Coale, “Do
you track the double-doubles?” The point
being, does the statistical achievement figure into
substitution patterns, especially late in lop-sided
games?
A seemingly harmless query, it's really a double-edger,
especially for any coach. Most coaches turn a dim eye
towards statistics, choosing instead to focus on team
goals. It only makes sense.
But media and PR people constantly hit at the numbers
involved with sports and when a string of anything
is in place, people pay attention.
Coach Coale confessed to being aware of Paris' numbers
during games in which the final outcome was secure. It
was a good answer.
Don't think less of a coach that admits as much. Such
a confession does not hint at misplaced values. Instead,
it recognizes an impressive achievement that gathers
more recognition for the program.
Two weeks ago, USA Today ran a graphic dedicated to
Paris' amazing feat. That kind of attention
registers with pollsters, awards voters and, perhaps
most importantly, recruits.
A savvy coach sees the bigger picture and OU's
women's basketball coach is nothing if not savvy.
Sherri Coale and Courtney Paris have their priorities
in the right place. First and foremost, they're
about team play and winning. If they have the
opportunity to also think about a very special statistical
accomplishment along the way they should not feel restrained
or embarrassed.
From my perspective, their approach is not only honest,
it's refreshing.
Mossman Prophecies Archive
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Kenny Mossman, Associate Athletics Director for
Communications, provides his perspective on Oklahoma
Athletics in his regular column on SoonerSports.com.
