Editor's note: Oklahoma's Stacey Dales, a Kodak All-American in 2000-01, will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season.

Dec. 13, 2001

It is such a good feeling to be done with finals and be able to focus solely on basketball for a few weeks before classes start back up in January. Our toughest road is ahead of us. Our nonconference schedule is almost over with only two more non-Big 12 opponents left before we take on Colorado at home. We had very good practices this week, and that's probably why coach Coale told us to take our hair down and play knockout to conclude the day.

	Stacey Dales was the 2000-01 Big 12 Player of the Year.

I feel like we're ready for Sunday's game against Illinois. The team has a lot of energy and we're all very excited about our upcoming games. You might think that there's more pressure when you're playing in a nationally televised game, but I think the media does a good job of keeping camera and crews in the background so it doesn't bother us. I like it when we play televised games because my parents, even though they are in Canada, have a chance to see me play.

Our next opponent, Illinois, has good size and it's a well-coached, physical team. As always, we will have to prepare to play our best. I think our energy will really push us through for the win. Right now our focus is with Sunday's game, but as soon it's over we will be turning our focus to Connecticut.

Next week we'll be practicing every day and leaving for Connecticut on Wednesday. It's going to be a huge game, and I think our preparation will be crucial because of that. The UConn game will definitely test us. The Huskies are the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and will be tough to beat. We will be going into a hostile environment, but that will prepare us for the tough Big 12 road games. We will be facing similar circumstances in conference competition. As much as I'm looking forward to our upcoming games, I am equally excited about the holidays. One of my favorite memories growing up is of my brother and I exchanging a gift on Christmas Eve. I have missed that for five years. I guess I will start that with my fiancé, Chris, now.

Also, my mom is an incredible cook who knows how to throw together a great meal. She has cooked for me here in Norman, but it doesn't compare to being back home. There's just something about sitting down to a turkey dinner and crashing on the couch that you grew up playing on as a kid. I miss the snow, and my old dog as well.

The good thing is, my parents will be here the day after Christmas and they are so excited. My brother, Burke, won't be able to make it here with them. He goes to Concordia University and has some commitments to the football team. He is just a talented football player, a smart guy and also an excellent kicker. He has some opportunities to play in the professional ranks. He should find out in the next six months what he might be doing. My parents will spend Christmas with him in Canada and then come here to Norman to spend time with Chris and I for the holidays.

Wish us luck this weekend against Illinois. Go Sooners!

For more on Stacey Dales and the Sooners, visit Oklahoma's official athletic site.