WEST

Sporting News, The, March 15, 1999

PLAYERS TO WATCH

TAMICHA JACKSON, Louisiana Tech, 5-6, Jr., G

Leon Barmore asked this pre-med student (3.45 GPA), who can play either guard spot, to quit playing street ball. She obliged and adds 12 ppg, 2.3 apg.

MAYLANA MARTIN, UCLA, 6-3, Jr., F

Despite pains and injuries the past two years, she is quick and can handle the ball, which creates lots of free throws, of which she hits 70 percent.

DeTRINA WHITE, Leu, 5-11, Fr., F

Big and strong, White led the SEC in double-doubles with 11, has collected nearly one-third of her team's blocks and shoots 62 percent.

THE TOP SEED

LOUISIANA TECH

Record: 26-2; 12-0, 1st in Sun Belt. RPI: 3. Coach (NCAA record): Leon Barmore (48-15).

After a November pummeling at the hands of Tennessee, the Lady Techsters seemed to show little of that controlled fullcourt frenzy that carried them to the '98 title game. But LaTech, winner of 18 straight, appears to have its speedy game back in top form, and 6-0 post Amanda Wilson remains on top of her game, averaging 16 points and eight rebounds. Few teams can run with this one, and if your guards can't handle the pressure, don't even bother to show up.

KEEP AN EYE ON

2. COLORADO STATE

Record: 31-2; 14-0, 1st in WAC. RPI: 6. Coach (NCAA record): Tom Collen (1-1).

Quick, athletic and versatile--but also a bit of a Mystery--Becky Hammon and Co. score from about anywhere and don't miss often, hitting 47 percent.

3. UCLA

Record: 23-7; 15-3, T 1st in Pac-10. RPI: 15. Coach (NCAA record): Kathy Olivier (1-1).

The front line is more than solid with 6-3 Maylana Martin and 6-4, 245 Janae Hubbard, and few dish better than Ericka Gomez in this powerful offense.

4. LOUISIANA STATE

Record: 20-7; 10-4, 2nd in SEC. RPI: 25. Coach (NCAA record): Sue Gunter (6-8).

Guards Katrina Hibbert and Latasha Dorsey lead the way for a speedy, undersized group that rebounds well and keys off its pressure defense.

RELATED ARTICLE: inside dish

Pat Summitt may be the women's coach of the century, but LSU's Sue Gunter has been the SEC coach of the year two of the past three seasons. ... LaTech is looking for its 13th Final Four with one of its deepest lineups of late, not to mention four starters--the backcourt of LaQuan Stallworth, Tamicha Jackson and Monica Maxwell and forward Amanda Wilson--that have started the past three seasons.... Beware the 3-point shot when facing Colorado State. With guard Becky Hammon and three starting forwards averaging 39 percent, the Rams attempt 22 3's a, game.... Kentucky coach Bernadette Mattox, a top recruiter for alma mater Georgia in the '80s, was an assistant with the UK men's team ('90-94).... With the regional at the L.A. Sports Arena, UCLA could have homecourt advantage for the first four rounds.