Stormin in Norman
Fansided

NCAA Women’s Tournament: Oklahoma Basketball Tip-ins

By Chip Rouse

Jan 3, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Maddie Manning (23) drives on Baylor Bears forward Nina Davis (13) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Maddie Manning (23) drives on Baylor Bears forward Nina Davis (13) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

At a six seed, the Oklahoma women are the lower-seeded team in their opening round matchup against 11th-seeded Gonzaga in the NCAA Women’s Tournament. There is a good chance, however, that the Sooners might not be favored.

Picking winners and losers in the NCAA Basketball Tournament is not an exact science. There are plenty of variables that can swing an outcome one way or another. And to be perfectly candid, that is what makes this single-elimination tournament so exciting and fun to follow.

Before the Big 12 existed, Oklahoma women’s basketball had made just two trips to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in 21 years. In the 22 years that have followed, including the current season, the Sooner women have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 18 times, all in succession beginning in 2000.

More from Women's Basketball

Since Sherri Coale took over as head coach of OU women’s basketball, in 1996-97, the first year of the Big 12 Conference, the Sooners have been to three NCAA Women’s Tournament Final Fours, in 2002, 2009 and 2010.

The best of those three teams was arguably the 2002 team, which included All-American Stacey Dales and LaNeisha Caulfield on its roster. Oklahoma lost  to No. 1 UConn in the championship final that season, 82-70.

Here are a few other compelling facts about Oklahoma women’s NCAA Tournament basketball that you may not be aware of:

  • Oklahoma is 15-3 in NCAA Women’s Tournament opening-round games, and 10-6 in second-round action. That is an overall record of 25-9 in the first two games of the tournament.
  • The Sooner women have reached the regional final only three times, but have won the championship on all three occasions.
  • The Sooners are 27-7 when they go up against teams seeded higher (like Gonzaga at No. 11).
  • When the Oklahoma women face teams seeded lower (like No. 3 Washington), they are just 4-11 in the NCAA Tournament.