Those of us who love the Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team realize we have something special in Courtney Paris. However, the best women's player in the state resides in Stillwater.

Something I have learned from watching women's hoops the past few years is that the NCAA is a guard's league. This has always been true come tourney time for the men, except for those years when a 45-year-old plays center for the Buckeyes.

Kidding aside, Greg Oden was going to take any team far. However, it was Mike Conley Jr. who led Ohio State in 2007 when it came time for the dance.

But as good as CP3 is down in Norman, her style of play is not one that can overcome poor guard play -- and after a season that saw Red Rock's Jenna Plumley shine as a freshman, that's what the Sooners have gotten.

It's not Jenna's fault. It's turnovers and mistakes and poor shooting galore at the Lloyd Noble Center from all of OU's ball handlers.

Alas, forgive me if we Sooners fans have gotten a bad case of high expectations. When Courtney brought her twin, Ashley, to the land of Sooners, we expected a championship right off the bat.

Two years later, I'd love for us to get past the Sweet 16.

It's not going to happen, people. Not this year. Not unless our guards start exhibiting some qualities exuded by Oklahoma State's Andrea Riley.

The 5-foot, 5-inch sophomore from Dallas hit the game winner on Saturday against Texas A&M, on the Aggies home court, with 6.6 seconds left to play. Riley drilled it, stuck her tongue out and squatted, high-fiving passers by, displaying all the marks of an excitable, exciting floor leader.

What struck my colleagues and I today was that OSU was sitting at No. 14, with OU ahead of them at No. 11. Sure, the Sooners have lost to highly ranked teams. However, it's clear to me -- regardless of the OSU win over OU a week ago -- that the Cowgirls are the best team in the Big 12.

Well, Baylor would have something to say about that for sure. However, I'll take my chances with this Riley kid. Let's put it this way: If OU had recruited (and landed) Andrea, the Sooners would be the best team in the country.

Because every Greg Oden needs his Mike Conley Jr., and in women's basketball -- heck in basketball, period -- nobody has impressed me more than Andrea Riley. She's not only the best women's player in Oklahoma, Riley is the best Oklahoma-based collegiate baller going.

And it would not surprise me in the least if OSU won the conference and found a way to make a deep, deep run in the tourney.

Sure, I think Sheri Coale's club can get it together in time for the NCAA tourney, and this team is capable of making a deep run. But right now, I am not feeling it AT ALL.

But I have a definite feeling about OSU's Andrea Riley. She is a special, transformational ball player.