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. 18, 2001

Well, we're leaving for Connecticut on Wednesday but we're actually going to Boston first to see a Stomp show. When the team goes on road trips we usually take some time out of our schedule, if we have any, to do something fun together. We usually go out to eat, go to a mall or go see some special attractions, like we are this week. I enjoy going to see the sights but it's not something that I have to do.

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

Being able to go do something outside of basketball while on the road is sometimes a welcome relief from the monotony of traveling, practicing and playing. (Not that I don't enjoy doing those three things.) Right now I am just focusing on the Connecticut game on Saturday. I know it's a big game that will really test our team. I think it will be a test for me as well, playing against some of the best players in the country.

I am a candidate for the national player of the year, along with about 28 other girls. Despite that, I don't think there's a lot of outside pressure there, only pressure that I put on myself. It's not an award that you can set your priorities on at the beginning of the season. It is the highest achievement, the highest personal honor, and I am flattered that I am one of the candidates. I think the honor will come to the person whose team performs the best, who helps their team and someone who wins the national championship. It's just something that falls into place as the season progresses.

After my career is over at OU, I feel that Dionnah Jackson will be the next player that people will really be talking about. She has the potential to be a team leader and emerge as a fantastic player. She has all the tangible and intangible skills. When she fully develops, teams will need to watch out for her because she's going to be a force. She has the ability to be an All-American in the next couple of years. Caton Hill will also step up next year and be a strong leader as a senior, along with some of the other juniors.

I had better get going. I have to get ready for the team Christmas party at coach Coale's house this afternoon. When we planned the party, I asked her what she was going to cook for us. At first she told me that she would be violating NCAA rules if she cooked for us, and then she informed us that she couldn't even cook a cup of soup. So, we all decided it would be in our best interests if we had a potluck instead. Even head coaches have their limitations, I guess. But as long as she gets the job done on the court, that's all she needs to worry about. She can let Mr. Goodcents and Papa John worry about the rest.

Make sure you tune into ESPN2 on Saturday about 1:00 p.m. CT. You will definitely see some exciting basketball.

Cheer for the Sooners!

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