OU's Whitney Hand says the team will be "more guard oriented"

KANSAS CITY, MO -- I interviewed Whitney Hand, sophomore shooting guard, for the Oklahoma Sooners at the 2009 Big 12 Women's Basketball Media Day on Wednesday, October 21.

Here's the transcript:

HRR: Are you used to this (talking to the media)?

Whitney: The media thing? I’m used to it a little bit more than last year. Last year, kind of took me by storm; but, I think I’ve slowed down my speech a little bit. (laughing)


HRR: What did you do this summer to improve your game?

Whitney: I went to Colorado Springs for the Team USA tryouts. It was kind of a reality check just seeing the competition and the level of those girls. It was cool to see that and cool to compete against them and to know that you’re on that level but not quite; and, to know I have so much more room for improvement. Also, to know you’re never really at your peak.

I had some things in my family which happened this summer that motivated me. The Final Four motivated me. Everything kind of just came together. I started working on my dribble game; stuff off the dribble; being more of an outside threat. That’s how I’ve improved my game.


HRR:Well, you brought it up, so, I’m going to ask you – have you gotten over the Final Four, yet? (Oklahoma lost to Louisville - in the final seconds - in the National semifinals by two points.)

Whitney (laughing): I don’t believe you ever really get over it. Obviously, it’s an honor to have made it; but, the way we lost was ugly. It just makes me sick every time I think about it. But, you have to respect how far we got last season; and the fact that we made it that far. But, at the same time, obviously, there’s that thing inside me that still a little bit bitter.


HRR: Talk about the newcomers on the team.

Whitney: Joanna (McFarland) and Lyndsey (Cloman) have done a great job. When they first got to OU I think they were kind of taken aback by college and everything – as all of us were when we were freshmen. But, they really have stepped into their own space in practice. They’re really following everyone’s lead. Abi (Olajuwon) has been great helping them as a post; and, everyone has helped them adjust. Obviously, it’s overwhelming; but, I think they’re doing a great job. They’re willing to step up when needed.


HRR: How has practice gone so far?

Whitney: It’s going great. I’m really excited by the mentality of everyone coming into practice. We’re all on the same page. We know where we want to get. We’re all willing to work hard to get there. I’m really excited by the energy level and the focus to details.


HRR: Talk about your teammate Danielle Robinson.

Whitney (laughing): I don’t believe there are really words to explain how awesome she is. Just as a player and as a leader. We wouldn’t function without her. It would be disastrous if she went down (to injury) for our morale and, obviously, our skill level. She’s just been great at everything. Everything on our team flows from her. She really unifies our team. She provides us with that spark to get through things. When she’s on (top of her game), we know we’re good. We always look to her whenever we need anything. She’s incredibly essential to our team.


HRR: How will the style of play be different this year compared to last year?

Whitney: Definitely more guard oriented. You can’t replace Courtney (Paris) and Ashley (Paris); but, as a whole, we can fulfill their contributions – pointwise and reboundwise. We’re all going to have combine to do all that; but, at the same time, we’re going to get to play up tempo. We’re going to get to play to Nyeisha (Stevenson), Danielle, and AT (Amanda Thompson)’s style; and, that’s going to be very advantageous for all of us because defenses are going to have to be aware of all us.