Oklahoma women's basketball: Sooners season primer

2. Newcomers will contribute. The starting five is a group of juniors and seniors, but the two freshmen, Maddie Manning and Nicole Kornet, along with junior-college transfer Portia Durrett, will contribute in the second group. The Sooners only have 10 healthy players, with the release of two players last spring and two players out with injury: Sophomore Kaylon Williams ruptured her Achilles tendon in the preseason, and Lyndsey Cloman decided to end her career early due to recurring back issues.

3. Beat Baylor. Go further in the postseason. Whitney Hand and Aaryn Ellenberg aren't just saying it for the media to print it. They believe it. They will beat the Bears, be the best in the Big 12 and make it to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th consecutive time.

OU ROSTER

Starters

C — Nicole Griffin (6-6, Jr.): Voted most improved by team. Quicker option to push the pace.

F — Joanna McFarland (6-3, Sr.): Threat from beyond the arc and on the boards.

G — Aaryn Ellenberg (5-7, Jr.): Quiet off the court, fierce competitor on it.

G — Morgan Hook (5-10, Jr.): Controls the pace of the game with the ball in her hands.

G — Whitney Hand (6-1, Sr.): Outspoken leader of the team for fourth consecutive year.