March 21, 2007
Fresno, Calif. - Fresno, the Central Valley and the Save Mart Center will be in the nation's focus this upcoming week, as Fresno State hosts the 2007 Fresno Region of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Combining for 106 overall wins this season, Fresno welcomes Connecticut, North Carolina State, Louisiana State and Florida State for three games this weekend, with the winner advancing the 2007 Women's Final Four, held at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Here's a closer look at each of the teams in the Region:
Game 1: (4) NC State vs. UConn - 6:00 pm, March 24 (ESPN)
(1) Connecticut Huskies (31-3 Overall, 16-0 Big East)
The five-time National Champion UConn Huskies will make their first trip to Fresno in program history, entering the Fresno Regional as the No. 1 seed. The Huskies have been led in the past by some of the biggest names in the sport, featuring Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, and Diana Taurasi, but this year's squad is a very balanced group, with all five starters averaging double-figures on the year. The team makes their 14th consecutive "Sweet 16" appearance, and will try to improve on their 35-3 record in the NCAA tournament since the 2000 season. Overall, the Huskies have made eight Final Fours, and have won four of the last seven national championships, winning in 2000 and then taking three straight from 2002-2004. The Huskies have not reached the Final Four since that season, though this is the first time since 2003 that UConn has earned a No. 1 seed.
(4) North Carolina State Wolfpack (25-9 Overall, 10-9 ACC)
A 78-72 overtime victory against No. 5 Baylor sends North Carolina State to its first Sweet Sixteen since 2001 and its 11th in school history. North Carolina State has now won 12 of its last 14 games since head coach Kay Yow returned from her 16-game leave-of-absence to undergo treatments for breast cancer. Tuesday's contest was an inspiration, an ironic twist for the coach whose inspirational fight against breast cancer this season has been the talk of the women's college basketball world. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and it first recurred during the 2004-05 season. The Wolfpack was the only team to beat the then undefeated and consensus No. 1 team Duke 70-65 in the ACC tournament. NC State is led by junior Khadijah Wittington who averages a double-double per game with 10.4 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Game 2: (10) Florida State vs. LSU - 8:30 pm, March 26 (ESPN2)
(10) Florida State Seminoles (24-9 Overall, 10-4 ACC)
In what has been a tournament full of upsets, Florida State became one of the biggest Cinderellas in 2007, beating No. 2 seed Stanford on their home floor in Maples Pavilion to reach their first Sweet 16 in program history. Prior to this year, the Seminoles had only advanced to the second round four times, including last year where Stanford beat the Seminoles to end their tournament chances. This year's tournament was very different, however, as the Seminoles set back No. 7 seed Old Dominion 85-75, before shocking the Cardinal 68-61. Head coach Sue Semrau has the Seminoles pointed in the right direction, as Florida State recorded 20 wins for the third straight season, the most successful span in program history. In addition, the Seminoles exceeded expectations in the ACC, finishing in a tie for third place with 2006 national champion Maryland and fellow Fresno Region participant, NC State. Alicia Gladden leads the Seminoles on both ends of the floor, winning All-ACC third team honors after averaging 13.4 points per game to lead the team, as well as earning an All-ACC Defensive Team selection for the third consecutive year.
(3) Louisiana State Tigers (26-7 Overall, 10-4 SEC)
LSU received a No. 3 seed for the second time in NCAA tournament history. The Lady Tigers enter the Fresno Regionals after defeating UNC Asheville and West Virginia. LSU faces the No. 10 seed Florida State. LSU defeated Florida State 75-68 in their last meeting on Dec. 27, 2003 in Atlanta, Ga. LSU had a 43-game home court win streak that ended on Feb. 11 with the 72-71 loss to UConn, it was the nation's longest streak. Ranked No. 11/12 in the polls, the Lady Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament for the 17th time in school history and for the ninth straight season. Their first appearance in the tournament was back in 1984 and they own a 30-16 record in the tournament. The Lady Tigers have advanced to the "Sweet 16" for the 11th time in the program's history and for the fifth straight year, the Elite Eight six times and the Final Four in 2004,2005, and 2006. The Lady Tigers are led by junior Sylvia Fowles who enters the NCAA Tournament regional ranked 10th in career points with 1,578 and she also carries 1,178 rebounds.
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