Paris, Parker will square off

NORMAN, Okla. – It’s the national player of the year against the preseason player of the year – the most dominant post presence against the most dazzling all-around athlete in women’s basketball.

After two seasons of playing in different worlds, Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris and Tennessee’s Candace Parker will finally be on the same floor Thursday night when the No. 9 Sooners (0-1) face the top-ranked Lady Vols (1-0) at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., the site of this year’s Final Four.

“I think it’s women’s basketball mecca,” Sooners coach Sherri Coale said. “It’s a chance for that sports fan, who maybe hasn’t dipped into women’s basketball yet, to have a reason to turn their television on and check it out.

“Courtney Paris and Candace Parker will be icons. They already are, but you wait 15, 20 years and you see how their presence is legendary within the sport.”

Coale compared the game to the time Magic Johnson and Larry Bird met in the NCAA championship game in 1979, a preview of their storied NBA rivalry.

“I think everyone has been waiting for this matchup for a long time,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.