JimBob
03-15-2008, 08:47 AM
Riley cleared to play Saturday
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
3/15/2008
Following an alleged incident where Oklahoma State player Andrea Riley reportedly took a swing at a Texas player, Big 12 officials have ruled the Cowgirls' leading scorer is eligible to play in Saturday's championship game.
"After gathering and reviewing information, the commissioner has handled the situation internally per the conference's policies and procedures," said Joni James, associate director of communications for the Big 12. "There will be no public announcement."
Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said he was not allowed to comment on the ruling. Fox Sports showed a replay of the incident in which Riley appears to take a swing at a Texas player while going for a loose ball in the second half of the Cowgirls' 75-72 win.
Riley could have faced a one-game suspension.
Budke said before the ruling that he didn't see a punch thrown.
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OSU NOTEBOOK
Seeds at stake: The winner of Saturday's Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament could elevate to a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
According to various Web sites that predict NCAA seeding, Oklahoma State is a No. 5 seed and Texas A&M is a No. 4 seed.
"The Big 12 should be rewarded for its body of work over the year," Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said. "We have the No. 1 RPI (ratings percentage index). So whoever wins this should be rewarded with a No. 2 seed."
OSU coach Kurt Budke agreed, "I think A&M is at three seed playing for two and I think we're a four (seed) playing for a three. We can't control the meetings . . . but I think we've earned the Ford Center. You have to win two games to get back there, but if we get to the Ford Center, you'll see orange that you've never seen."
Similar paths: Since joining the Big 12 Conference, Blair and Budke have taken similar paths to the Big 12 title game.
Under Blair, the Aggies were 2-14 in his first year in the league. OSU was 0-16 in Budke's initial season.
Now, here they are five years into Blair's tenure and three years into the Budke era, playing for the tournament title.
Key matchups: With two of the premier point guards in the Big 12, fans will want to keep an eye on OSU's Andrea Riley and A&M's A'Quonesia Franklin. But don't forget about the Danielle Green-Danielle Gant or Shaunte Smith-Patrice Reado matchups.
"You know Andrea and Aquo will get their numbers," Blair said. "Whoever can stay out of foul trouble and help their team will win the game."
Percentages favor No. 3 seed: In the 11 previous Big 12 women's title games, the third seed has reached the final five times, crowning champions twice. Colorado won as the No. 3 seed in the tournament's first year and Iowa State did it in 2001.
No No. 4 seed has ever played for the title.
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
3/15/2008
Following an alleged incident where Oklahoma State player Andrea Riley reportedly took a swing at a Texas player, Big 12 officials have ruled the Cowgirls' leading scorer is eligible to play in Saturday's championship game.
"After gathering and reviewing information, the commissioner has handled the situation internally per the conference's policies and procedures," said Joni James, associate director of communications for the Big 12. "There will be no public announcement."
Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said he was not allowed to comment on the ruling. Fox Sports showed a replay of the incident in which Riley appears to take a swing at a Texas player while going for a loose ball in the second half of the Cowgirls' 75-72 win.
Riley could have faced a one-game suspension.
Budke said before the ruling that he didn't see a punch thrown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OSU NOTEBOOK
Seeds at stake: The winner of Saturday's Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament could elevate to a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
According to various Web sites that predict NCAA seeding, Oklahoma State is a No. 5 seed and Texas A&M is a No. 4 seed.
"The Big 12 should be rewarded for its body of work over the year," Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said. "We have the No. 1 RPI (ratings percentage index). So whoever wins this should be rewarded with a No. 2 seed."
OSU coach Kurt Budke agreed, "I think A&M is at three seed playing for two and I think we're a four (seed) playing for a three. We can't control the meetings . . . but I think we've earned the Ford Center. You have to win two games to get back there, but if we get to the Ford Center, you'll see orange that you've never seen."
Similar paths: Since joining the Big 12 Conference, Blair and Budke have taken similar paths to the Big 12 title game.
Under Blair, the Aggies were 2-14 in his first year in the league. OSU was 0-16 in Budke's initial season.
Now, here they are five years into Blair's tenure and three years into the Budke era, playing for the tournament title.
Key matchups: With two of the premier point guards in the Big 12, fans will want to keep an eye on OSU's Andrea Riley and A&M's A'Quonesia Franklin. But don't forget about the Danielle Green-Danielle Gant or Shaunte Smith-Patrice Reado matchups.
"You know Andrea and Aquo will get their numbers," Blair said. "Whoever can stay out of foul trouble and help their team will win the game."
Percentages favor No. 3 seed: In the 11 previous Big 12 women's title games, the third seed has reached the final five times, crowning champions twice. Colorado won as the No. 3 seed in the tournament's first year and Iowa State did it in 2001.
No No. 4 seed has ever played for the title.