Sooners could ride Paris to Boston
DENVER -- Just when you thought Courtney Paris couldn't get any better, the Oklahoma freshman came up big again Saturday.
And just as she blew away expectations with her play in the Big 12 tournament, Paris again put any doubt to bed whether she could continue to post big numbers in her first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Paris scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Saturday to lead second-seeded Oklahoma past Pepperdine, 78-66, and into a second-round matchup with BYU on Monday.
With her third rebound Saturday at 9:33 to play in the first half, Paris became the first woman in NCAA history to tally 700 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks in a season. Paris now has 732 points, and broke the Big 12 single-season scoring record previously set by Texas' Edwina Brown (722) in 1999-2000. Paris also became just the third woman to notch 500 rebounds, behind Wanda Ford of Drake, who holds the NCAA's single-season record at 534 boards (1984-85). Paris' 508 rebounds also pushed her past Anne Donovan, who had 504 rebounds at Old Dominion in 1982-83.
With Paris averaging 14.9 rebounds per game, she could break Ford's record before the Sooners' season comes to an end.
And that's the catch: With Paris leading the way, who knows how many more games Oklahoma will play this season. With Paris' consistency, the Sooners could go a very long way. Like maybe the 1,700-some miles from Norman, Okla., to Boston.
Since the 64-team field was unveiled on Selection Monday, I've tabbed the top seeds in each regional to reach the Final Four. But OU is the one team outside of the No. 1 seeds that has the best chance to break my bracket.
And -- this is no disrespect to her teammates -- it's all because of Paris. Like Sheryl Swoopes with Texas Tech in 1993 or Jackie Stiles and Southwest Missouri State in 2001, Paris is the type of player who could put her team on her back and lead the Sooners to their second trip to the Final Four in four years.
While her stats are incredible, Paris' consistency is most mind-boggling. She already has set 36 school records, nine Big 12 records and and two NCAA marks this season. She is simply amazing and the numbers she is putting up are unparalleled for a freshman. She might not always be as productive and efficient as she was Saturday -- she was 11-for-13 with four blocks and only one turnover in just 21 minutes -- but now, every time she walks on the court you expect a double-double. And keep in mind that all came after she had briefly left the game to throw up (she drank too much water) and get her ankle re-taped (contrary to reports, she didn't twist it but rather removed the first tape job because it was too tight). Nothing throws this kid.
Paris, who has 31 double-doubles in 34 games, including 26 straight, just keeps exceeding expectations. And with her leading the way, so might second-seeded Oklahoma.
Nancy Lieberman, an ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com's women's basketball coverage. Contact her at www.nancylieberman.com.