Postgame Quotes

Nov. 13, 2011

Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
Opening statement:
“I thought the first half we were extremely difficult to guard. I told them in the locker room, if you play like that and you play together and share the ball like that and change sides of the floor you are going to be hard for anybody to guard. I thought Nicole Griffin establishing herself early was really important. It sort of changes the complexion of everything. These three guys, the trio of guards sitting beside me [Whitney Hand, Morgan Hook and Aaryn Ellenberg], were just about flawless in the first half. They did a lot of really, really good things and did those things together. Second half got a little ragged, obviously turned it over way too much but those guys need that experience and they will get better from it.”

On the production from the guards:
“I said at Big 12 Media Day that if there are two better wing players in the country, I don't know who they are [other] than Whitney [Hand] and Vegas [Aaryn Ellenberg]. Whitney being healthy, I think you could see her ability to change direction make moves, things that she wasn't able to do last year. Vegas is guarding people, that was awesome, and getting some rebounds. We got a really complete game from her. That is just these guys growing up.”

On a healthy Whitney Hand's play:
“I love watching her play with joy. She is comfortable now so she is able to express that. That is her x-factor. That is her thing. That is what makes her such a present player. It is just fun for me. And I said this earlier, I have caught myself in practice sometimes watching her play free with abandon. I catch myself watching instead of coaching and think how nice it is to see that back again.”

On the improvement of the post players:
“I thought they were much improved and can still get a lot better. But Nicole [Griffin] and Jelena [Cerina]both produced. They both got rebounds. They both scored baskets. This is what they have to do for us. I thought really, again, Nicole's first two possessions that she scored and got a big board and really went aggressively after the rebound, I thought that sent a message.

“What made it look so easy tonight, I think that's trust. I think these guards have such trust in one another that they play with that ease. We are trying to build that with those posts. If you play a couple of games and they don't produce, then every time you don't produce there a bit of erosion of trust. So, I thought Nicole establishing herself in the first couple possessions gave them a reason to have faith.”

Oklahoma Redshirt Junior Guard Whitney Hand
On being healthy and enjoying playing:
“I think whenever you make shots it's just fun. That kind of rhythm is fun and I mean its really nice to not have to go, 'okay another trip down the court.' That just wears on you emotionally and it gets you really tired and it's not fun. It's kind of like a fresh breath of air, I think I would have been smiling if (my shot) hadn't of gone in because it felt really good, I felt good today.”

On the team playing well together:
“We had 25 assists and it just feels good. There are games where you can't get anything, everyone is trying to get settled. When were good like that and were playing together, we're all rhythm players and we all love getting shots out of rhythm and when we can penetrate and we can dish to each other it's easy and its really fun. We all know where each other is going to be. We love driving it and knowing where each other is going to be every single time, so that's really fun for me and I know it's fun for them too.”

Oklahoma Sophomore Guard Aaryn Ellenberg
On her potential to improve:
“I feel like the best is yet to come for me. There's no ceiling for myself and the rest of the team, so we can always be better.”

Oklahoma Sophomore Guard Morgan Hook
On how well the guards play together:
“I think it's just the chemistry we have on and off the court and in practice every day. We're practicing with each other so you get a feel for each other every day.”

On feeling comfortable playing point guard:
“I definitely feel more comfortable in this position because that's what I grew up playing, either one (point guard or wing) is fine. I didn't freak out last year when I had to be a spot-up shooter.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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