OU's Paris: No title, no scholarship money

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tott10

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ESPN article
from ESPN.com news services

Oklahoma's Courtney Paris has not only guaranteed that the Sooners will win the NCAA women's basketball title, she's willing to put up her scholarship to back it up.

In a speech on senior night last week, Paris said that if the third-ranked Sooners don't win the title, she'll give back her scholarship money, valued at close to $64,000, according to a story in The Oklahoman.

"I have a passion for our fans and university, and I want to do something special," Paris said, according to The Oklahoman. "That's why I put my scholarship on the table. I meant what I said."

The Sooners are ranked third in the polls and are the top seed in the Big 12 tournament. Still, they face by most accounts a daunting challenge if their path to the national title is obstructed by No. 1 Connecticut. UConn is 31-0 overall and routed Oklahoma by 28 points back in November.

"I feel like we're not missing pieces," Paris said. "If we play hard, we execute, we are a great team that can win a national championship," Paris said. "If we don't do that, it won't be because we're not good enough.

"So when you're good enough and don't do something, then you have to take accountability for that and that's your own fault. We can win a national championship. If we don't, I'll feel like I didn't earn my scholarship."
 
I hope she consulted with dad before she went out on that limb. Was she not on the court when they lost by 30 to UCONN?
 
i don't know what to make of this. obviously a bold statement, but rather odd. it could very easily turn into a huge distraction for their team, which is not what they need IMO.

and if they were to lose and she has to pay up (which is looking likely with the way UConn is playing this season), i find it hard to believe that OU would actually accept the $64,000 from her (or her parents).
 
Paris has done a lot for that program and there is nothing for her to be ashamed of. There have been many talented players and coaches in history who have not won a national championship.
 
I think it was a genuine jesture by Courtney, but I would be afraid of the pressure it will put on the entire team. Frankly, I saw the double-double streak do the same thing and it was good for them when it ended. I think the guarantee was a mistake.

It's true that OU has not achieved what they expected when they landed the Paris twins, but it's not their (twins) fault...certainly not CP's. The surrounding cast just never put it together. They are playing well this year, so they should make the best run in the Paris era. I don't see them knocking off UCONN, but you never know...someone might do that before OU gets the chance and then the field is wide open.

Right now, UCONN still has the inside track no doubt.

Like I said earlier, the Paris's can probably spare $64k.
 
ou can afford to pay the money back to themselves

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"Bold" is an understatement......more like "Brassy"...

She'll lose this bet...

No way anyone beats UConn unless Paris pulls a Tonya Harding on Maya Moore and at least 2 other starters...

Well, I suppose they could have a REALLY bad game, but as much as I detest Auriemma, I think he's got this one in the bag..
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I agree BBV, UCONN is just so strong at every position. They have the best point guard in the nation in Montgomery, the best 3/4 player in Moore and Tina Charles would be my pick for a post player if I had to choose one, even above Paris. I cannot imagine UCONN losing unless they have another injury.
 
On the bright side, it should only take her a few hours working at an area car dealership to pay the amount of the scholarship...
 
Ashely Paris certainly worked on her fitness and mobility, which I cannot say that I have seen in Courtney. Maybe trimming down and working on her mid-range game a bit more would have helped.
 
Stat, there aren't 'several' ways she could've helped. The only things any of her detractors can point out is her weight and free throw shooting. I agree she could stand to drop about 40lbs, both from a purely basketball standpoint, as well as a health standpoint. That said, it's her biggest blessing and curse, all at the same time. One of her strengths is the ability to simply seal off her opponents. Losing 40lbs. would probably take away from that, to some degree.

Any other criticisms of her are completely unjustified. She has no perimeter game, but that's not a weakness. Would NBA fans ask Shaq or Dwight Howard to develop a 20-foot-jumper? No. Post players play in the post. The hybrid players who can do both are more common than they were 15-20 years ago (Rik Smits, anyone?), but those teams lucky enough to have a player that can do both usually tailor their rosters to take advantage of that fact.

There have never been illusions as to Paris' game.

You don't set the all-time rebounding record, as well as conference marks for scoring and blocks (in a really good women's basketball conference), with a lot of holes in your game. She is what she is -- good and bad.

As to the gesture, it's cool, but definitely puts some unneeded pressure on both Courtney and her teammates. I agree UConn is going to win it all, but the games still have to be played.
 
Hmmmm....Bubba Paris putting all the pressure on Coale to bring home the title. This is not the first time he has made comments to that effect.
 
does the Paris family just like to add pressure???

i don't get the tactics. i don't care if Bubba Paris is joking or trying to be funny (he looked pretty serious if you ask me)...who goes on tv to call out Sherri Coale and say it will be her fault if they lose. ugghhhhh.

guess it's not too surprising since he already did that earlier this season. but at least that was in print, quoted in the paper. this goes way further than that.
 
Did he do that on TV during the UConn game? I switched after UConn went up 20. Geez, what is he going to do if they don't win? Give them back the scholarship money?
 
yeah, they showed it during half-time of the UConn game. i'm pretty sure it wasn't a live interview...it looked taped. and they only showed that one comment. there has to be more to the interview, though, and i would really like to see the rest.
 
No offense to OU, although I don't mind offending them
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but they have never had the best team in the country, which is why they haven't won a national championship. The best team in the country typically wins the National Championship. And if anyone says that the team that wins the NC is not the best team how do they plan on proving it? Ask for a recount?
 
okay i rewound the DVR....this would be the quote from Bubba:

"We just gotta do it this year at Oklahoma. This is their year. Win that National Championship. And let me be clear about this again, my daughters have contributed, they've helped them recruit great players. If they don't win this year, it's your fault Sherri Coale (as he points at the camera). Take those great players and win with them. I said it. Yes I did."
 
We need the basketball equivalent of the 10 run rule. UCONN should empty the bench. No need to risk an injury. Why would Moore and Montgomery still be in the game? Pulling starters is not going to get them out of game shape overnight. I am sure they will still be in form for their first NCAA game, which they will win by 60 or 70 points.
 
TXtoCO....
Sorry, but Coale HAS won a National Championship.....

Just not with the Paris girls....which I seriously doubt happens...


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