Oklahoma
Projected finish: 4th
Key Returners:
Maddie Manning 12.6 ppg, 42%, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 32 mpg
Vionise Pierre-Louis 11.9 ppg, 52%, 7.9 rpg, 22.7 mpg
Gabby Ortiz 8.9 ppg, 37%, 4.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 27 mpg
Biggest losses:
Peyton Little 12.4 ppg, 38%, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 33 mpg
Gioya Carter 7.7 ppg, 38%, 2.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 21 mpg
Chelsea Dungee 7.4 ppg, 38%, 2.5 rpg, 21 mpg
Newcomers:
Mandy Simpson F, 6-0, Boise, ID, Freshman, #20 forward (Hoopgurlz)
Shanina Pellington G, 5-7, Pickering, Ontario, Freshman, #23 guard (Hoopgurlz)
Ana Lianusa G, 6-0, Choctaw, OK, Freshman, #8 guard (Hoopgurlz)
Head coach: Sherri Coale, a recent Hall of Fame inductee, is entering her 20th season as head of the Oklahoma Sooners. The importance of succeeding as both a student and an athlete is a trademark of her program. With Coale at the forefront, it makes sense as to why her players have such a high basketball IQ. This season she has some core players back, and will rely on them heavily to continue Oklahoma’s winning tradition.
Key non-conference games:
Oregon 11/25
New Mexico 12/16
UConn 12/19
Outlook: Maddie Manning is the face of this team. Being the ultimate senior (it’s her 6th year at OU due to injuries) she will be called upon to carry this team. Gabby Ortiz and Vionise Pierre-Louis can help as they have been pretty consistent in their production in past years. The 3-point threat that Peyton Little brought will be missed, but can be made up for in other areas. The newcomers will need to be able to keep up with the run and gun pace that defines OU. If they could throw in some scoring here and there, I’m sure Maddie will be grateful.