The women's tourney

Sporting News, The, March 18, 1996 by Leslie Gibson McCarthy

It's rush, rush to Sweet Charlotte

UConn vs. UMass? You bet.

The matchup basketball fans in New England have been waiting for has a pretty good chance of materializing in the Mideast Regional of this year's NCM Tournament.

But it won't be Jim Calhoun vs. John Calipari.

Try Geno Auriemma vs. Joanie O'Brien.

If No. 8 seed Massachusetts, which received its first bid to the NCM Tournament, gets by No. 9 Michigan State, the much-ballyhooed, much-anticipated basketball matchup between the two schools will take place in Storrs, Conn.

It says here that UConn, the defending national champion will defeat UMass. And who knows? If the women's teams play each other and survive, Calhoun and Calipari might find that it's not so bad for the men as well. But that's another story.

The women's tournament, which begins Friday and Saturday at 16 sites, holds particular interest this year because ESPN will attempt to do for women's basketball what it did for men's basketball in the early '80s--cover the tournament from beginning to end with cut-ins and highlights from around the country. The tournament concludes March 29-31 with the Final Four in Charlotte.

Associate Editor Leslie Gibson McCarthy analyzes the breakdowns for each region:

EAST

No. 1 seed: Tennessee (26-4), 15th tournament appearance.

Why they'll make it: In Pat Summitt, the Vols have the most experienced and successful coach in the tournament. She has taken Tennessee to eight Final Fours and won three of them (1987, '89, '91).

Why they won't: Forget about the Vols, team that advanced to the Final Four last year. The best player on this year's team is a freshman, Chamique Holdsclaw, and she's out with an injury for at least two rounds. Beyond that, the Vols have little depth. If Holdsclaw is out for more than two games, the Vols are in trouble.

If not Tennessee, whom? No. 2 seed Old Dominion, which has one of the best point guards in the country in Ticha Penichieiro, the Monarchs, best player since Nancy Lieberman. "She reminds me of me," Lieberman-Cline says. "She's made some passes this season that have made me proud."

Nancy Lieberman-Cline's sleeper pick: Mississippi (7th seed). "They've been beating each other's brains out in the SEC all year. They've had some good wins at home. If they get hot. watch out.

MIDEAST

No. 1 seed: Connecticut (303); 8th tournament appearance.

Why they'll make it: Coach Geno Auriemma is secretly happy to be in the Mideast region and out of the East which means his team won't have to play Virginia in Charlottesville. The Huskies probably have the easiest road back to the Final Four and will get a chance to defend last season's national championship. Plus, UConn has two potential All-Americans in point guard Jennifer Rizzotti and Kara Wolters.

Why they won't: The Huskies have been living under the shadow of last year's 32-0 team all season. Carrying the mantle of last season's magic may be too much to bear.

If not UConn, whom? No. 3 Vanderbilt, led by Player of the Year candidate Sheri Sam, has plenty of tournament experience and a top coach in Jim Foster.

Nancy Lieberman-Cline's sleeper pick: Florida (5th seed). "They're such a well-coached team. Coach Carol Ross is a disciple of (Auburn Coach) Joe Ciampi."

WEST

No. 1 seed: Stanford (25-2), 10th tournament appearance.

Why they'll make it: Cocoaches Amy Tucker and Marianne Stanley have five national titles between them, and All-America candidate Kate Starbird has blossomed in the team's wideopen offense. The Cardinal played a tough non-conference schedule and have one of the deepest teams in the country.

Why they won't: Last year, after barreling through the regular season and the early rounds of the tournament, a young Cardinal team folded in the glare of the Final Four spotlight. This year's schedule was a lot like last season's, but the not-so-strong competition they faced in the Pac-10 may have given them a false sense of security.

If not Stanford, whom? No. 3 Colorado, if it can play like it did in beating Kansas in the Big Eight Tournament. Coach Ceal Barry's team was supposed to be in a rebuilding season, much like the Georgia team that made it to last year's Final Four.

Nancy Lieberman-Cline's sleeper pick: Auburn (6th seed). "They have such a good defense. In this caliber of a tournament, defense wins ballgames."

MIDWEST

No. 1 seed: Louisiana Tech (28-1), 15th tournament appearance.

Why they'll make it: In fifth-year senior Vicki Johnson, the Techsters have one of the best point guards in the country. She's quick, experienced, a great rebounder and plays tough defense. There is not a guard in the country who can stop her. Coach Leon Barmore has plenty of tournament experience himself (seven Final Fours, one title).

Why they won't: Anything can happen in the NCAAs, including a major upset (see Purdue, below). The Techsters will fall in the third round.

If not Louisiana Tech, whom? No. 2 Georgia. The Bulldogs not only play in the SEC--the nation's toughest conference--they also played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country before collapsing in the SEC Tournament. Andy Landers is wondering himself which team is going to show.