OU women's basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk met with the media on Wednesday as the No. 11 Sooners (19-6, 7-5 SEC) will face the No. 24 Georgia Bulldogs (20-6, 6-6) on Thursday at 5:30 pm on ESPN.
Here are three takeaways:
Freshman poise in conference play
Baranczyk opened by praising freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez and her discipline throughout the season.
Chavez is currently averaging 18 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 37% from the field, emerging as one of OU’s most consistent offensive options.
“Every shot that she shoots, I think that it’s going in,” Baranczyk said. “I don’t worry about whether or not it’s going in or not. It’s more about the approach to the shot. … There’s times that she might rush it, there’s times that she’s too open.”
Baranczyk also addressed the adjustment to competing in the SEC with a roster that features several freshmen. She said the transition from the Big 12 the past two seasons has required continued growth as the team adapts to a new conference structure. With teams playing each opponent once during the regular season, facing unfamiliar programs and navigating the challenges of the transfer portal, she emphasized the importance of learning on the fly.
“When we played in the Big 12, you played multiple people multiple times; there was some familiarity. We’re still trying to learn that in the SEC,” Barancyzk said. “Now, only playing each team once, facing new teams they have yet to meet and facing the challenges of the transfer portal."
Verhulst working back into form
Guard Payton Verhulst is continuing to work her way back after suffering an ankle injury in the win against Alabama on Sunday. Verhulst walked off the court with assistance in the third quarter but returned in the fourth, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Baranczyk said Wednesday marked the first day Verhulst was able to do much in practice as she recovers.
“We’re out of the adrenaline phase,” Baranczyk said. She added that the team will need to compensate for Verhulst as she works her way back into full form.
Momentum into a top-25 matchup
OU women’s basketball head coach Jennie Baranczyk discusses referees
Baranczyk closed by discussing her approach to officiating.
“It’s so much fun to watch the flow of a basketball game,” she said, noting her preference for limited stoppages. She added that “you don’t win” by arguing with officials and emphasized keeping her team focused rather than engaging in back-and-forth conversations.
Coming off the win against No. 23 Alabama, the Sooners hope to carry that momentum into Thursday’s matchup. Georgia has lost three out of their last five matchups but is coming off a win over No. 5 Vanderbilt, setting up another ranked test for OU in conference play.
This story was edited by Laurie Jones.
