JimBob
01-23-2008, 08:06 AM
UT aims to stymie Cowgirls
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
1/23/2008
Texas coach calls OSU star Riley a "human highlight film."
Texas is the latest team to take its shot at derailing Andrea Riley and 14th-ranked Oklahoma State.
The Cowgirls (16-1) will put their eight-game win streak and 4-0 Big 12 Conference start on the line when they travel to Austin to face the Longhorns. Game time is 7 p.m.
And yes, Riley remains the focus in an offense averaging a league-best 81.4 points per game.
The 5-foot-5 guard is averaging 22.6 per game this season -- but a whopping 29.8 since league play began.
"She's a human highlight film," Texas coach Goestenkors said on the Big 12 Teleconference on Tuesday. "She's fun to watch. She reminds me of a Ivory Latta (former North Carolina player) in her younger days. Andrea has the ability to hit the deep, deep 3 and make the big shot when her team needs it most."
When asked what strategy Texas might use to slow down Riley, Goestekors said, "We'll probably mix things up a bit. She's found a way to pretty much beat everybody. We'll throw everything at her, maybe even the kitchen sink. What I noticed on film is when she gets comfortable, she gets even better."
Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke stressed this is not a one-play team.
He pointed to the play of Shyvon Spears and Megan Byford as the latest to demand more playing time by virtue of their effectiveness on the court.
"We saw with the TCU loss that we had a need to get bigger in the low post," he said. "And, we are starting to see a little depth in our defense and rebounding."
Spears, at 6-foot-2, brings an extra inch of height to the power forward spot when she comes in to spell Shaunte' Smith. And while the 6-2 Byford is an inch shorter than Maria Cordero, she brings a different set of strengths to the court.
"We go in to every game knowing Andrea will get her numbers and Danielle (Green) will come close to her numbers," Budke said. "It's exciting to see who will step up as that third person. It's great having other op tions.
"We're playing solid basketball. I told the kids the minute you relax and pat yourself on the back, you will get beat. We aren't the most talented team in the Big 12. We might be playing the best as a team right now, but there is a difference."
Goestenkors said former Sapulpa standout Earnesia Williams is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game.
"She tweaked her knee a couple of days ago," said the first-year Texas coach. "She just needs to rest it a little. I'm not sure if she will play against Oklahoma State."
It leaves a hole in the low post for the Longhorns.
"She is one of our greatest warriors," Goestenkors said. "We missed her toughness on the boards against Texas Tech. We were outrebounded for the third time this season. They kicked our tail in the post. We really missed the aggressiveness she brings."
What the Longhorns have going for them is 5-foot-7 junior guard Carla Cortijo.
"She has definitely taken a step since last year," Budke said. "Last year she threw the ball all over the place. That isn't happening this year. It's the same way with Andrea.
"But Texas still has more All-Americans than anybody else in the Big 12. They're talented, it's just a matter of getting it together under a new coach."
Said Goestenkors, "We're coming along. Every game we get a little bit better in one area and take a step back in another. It will take time, but we are seeing improvements. We just need to start scoring."
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
1/23/2008
Texas coach calls OSU star Riley a "human highlight film."
Texas is the latest team to take its shot at derailing Andrea Riley and 14th-ranked Oklahoma State.
The Cowgirls (16-1) will put their eight-game win streak and 4-0 Big 12 Conference start on the line when they travel to Austin to face the Longhorns. Game time is 7 p.m.
And yes, Riley remains the focus in an offense averaging a league-best 81.4 points per game.
The 5-foot-5 guard is averaging 22.6 per game this season -- but a whopping 29.8 since league play began.
"She's a human highlight film," Texas coach Goestenkors said on the Big 12 Teleconference on Tuesday. "She's fun to watch. She reminds me of a Ivory Latta (former North Carolina player) in her younger days. Andrea has the ability to hit the deep, deep 3 and make the big shot when her team needs it most."
When asked what strategy Texas might use to slow down Riley, Goestekors said, "We'll probably mix things up a bit. She's found a way to pretty much beat everybody. We'll throw everything at her, maybe even the kitchen sink. What I noticed on film is when she gets comfortable, she gets even better."
Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke stressed this is not a one-play team.
He pointed to the play of Shyvon Spears and Megan Byford as the latest to demand more playing time by virtue of their effectiveness on the court.
"We saw with the TCU loss that we had a need to get bigger in the low post," he said. "And, we are starting to see a little depth in our defense and rebounding."
Spears, at 6-foot-2, brings an extra inch of height to the power forward spot when she comes in to spell Shaunte' Smith. And while the 6-2 Byford is an inch shorter than Maria Cordero, she brings a different set of strengths to the court.
"We go in to every game knowing Andrea will get her numbers and Danielle (Green) will come close to her numbers," Budke said. "It's exciting to see who will step up as that third person. It's great having other op tions.
"We're playing solid basketball. I told the kids the minute you relax and pat yourself on the back, you will get beat. We aren't the most talented team in the Big 12. We might be playing the best as a team right now, but there is a difference."
Goestenkors said former Sapulpa standout Earnesia Williams is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game.
"She tweaked her knee a couple of days ago," said the first-year Texas coach. "She just needs to rest it a little. I'm not sure if she will play against Oklahoma State."
It leaves a hole in the low post for the Longhorns.
"She is one of our greatest warriors," Goestenkors said. "We missed her toughness on the boards against Texas Tech. We were outrebounded for the third time this season. They kicked our tail in the post. We really missed the aggressiveness she brings."
What the Longhorns have going for them is 5-foot-7 junior guard Carla Cortijo.
"She has definitely taken a step since last year," Budke said. "Last year she threw the ball all over the place. That isn't happening this year. It's the same way with Andrea.
"But Texas still has more All-Americans than anybody else in the Big 12. They're talented, it's just a matter of getting it together under a new coach."
Said Goestenkors, "We're coming along. Every game we get a little bit better in one area and take a step back in another. It will take time, but we are seeing improvements. We just need to start scoring."