JimBob
03-18-2008, 10:10 AM
Mixed reaction from OSU
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/18/2008
Last Modified: 3/18/2008 2:13 AM
Cowgirls elated to get No. 3 seed but disappointed not to land in Oklahoma City region
STILLWATER -- To summarize the Oklahoma State reaction to Monday's unveiling of the Women's NCAA Tournament, Cowgirl coaches and players were thrilled with their seed -- a No. 3, the best in school history -- but disappointed with their destination.
At No. 20 in the Ratings Percentage Index and having surged to the championship round of the Big 12 Tournament, the Cowgirls were hoping to be in the Oklahoma City region, with a chance to play Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight contests at the Ford Center.
Instead, OSU is in the New Orleans region of the tournament. For the first weekend, the Cowgirls will be at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
"It would have been fun to have the chance to (play) in Oklahoma City," OSU coach Kurt Budke said. "I think you would have seen 18,000 orange shirts (in the Ford Center)."
In a 7 p.m. Saturday game to be televised by ESPN2 cable 26, the Cowgirls are matched with 14th-seeded East Tennessee State. The OSU-East Tennessee State winner faces sixth-seeded Ohio State or 11th-seeded Florida State next Monday.
In the latest Associated Press' poll, OSU has the highest ranking -- No. 13 -- in the history of its program. The Cowgirls are ahead of No. 14 Oklahoma in the poll and have a better NCAA seed, but the fifth-seeded Sooners got what OSU coveted.
With an NCAA seed of No. 4, the Sooners are in the Oklahoma City region. OU's first- and second-round games are played on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Ind.
"I hope all Big 12 teams advance as far as they can," Budke said. "I know if (the Sooners) have a chance to go to the Ford Center, they'll pack it up and show people what Big 12 basketball is all about."
The Cowgirls (25-7) are making their second consecutive NCAA ap pearance and their ninth overall. OSU's previous high seed was a No. 5 in 1991.
"I'm very happy with the seed (and) very happy with the respect that we've gained around the nation," Budke said. "You know what? You go play. There are probably a lot of other people that are unhappy with where they're going, and there are people unhappy that they're not in the tournament. So, you know what? We're not going to complain or whine about it. We're just going to go play basketball."
Cowgirl junior Taylor Hardeman is a veteran of OSU's 0-16 finish in Big 12 play two years ago. While acknowledging that she would have preferred the opportunity to play in Oklahoma City, she said, "I can't complain. A couple of years ago, we were a long way from being in this position."
As the champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference, the East Tennessee State Bucs (21-11) make their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
"We don't know much about them, but we will very shortly," Budke said.
East Tennessee State is No. 113 in the RPI. The Bucs have an eight-game win streak and victories in 15 of last 16 games, but they are 0-3 against teams in the NCAA Tournament field.
On Monday, OSU hosted a watch party on the south-side club level of Boone Pickens Stadium. About 500 fans viewed ESPN's selection show. When the OSU-East Tennessee State matchup appeared on the screen, there was a loud cheer. Moments later, there were scattered complaints as fans realized that the Cowgirls were denied a shot at competing in Oklahoma City.
Andrea Riley, OSU's All-Big 12 sophomore point guard, dwelled on the positives.
"I had butterflies to know what seed we were going to be. I'm happy that we're a 3 seed," she said. "We're looking forward to going all the way. We're looking to compete with the best and beat the best. We're hungry. We want this so bad."
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OSU WOMEN: KNOW THE FOE
East Tennessee State Bucs
Coach: Karen Kemp
Season record: 21-11 overall, 14-2 Atlantic Sun Conference, champions of conference tournament.
Best wins: The Bucs won 73-62 at Alabama, but the Crimson Tide finished 8-22 overall and in last place in the Southeastern Conference.
Worst loss: On Dec. 22, East Tennessee State lost 75-52 at Georgetown.
Top players: G Siarre Evans (13.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg), G Michele DeVault (12.8 ppg, 86 percent on free throws).
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/18/2008
Last Modified: 3/18/2008 2:13 AM
Cowgirls elated to get No. 3 seed but disappointed not to land in Oklahoma City region
STILLWATER -- To summarize the Oklahoma State reaction to Monday's unveiling of the Women's NCAA Tournament, Cowgirl coaches and players were thrilled with their seed -- a No. 3, the best in school history -- but disappointed with their destination.
At No. 20 in the Ratings Percentage Index and having surged to the championship round of the Big 12 Tournament, the Cowgirls were hoping to be in the Oklahoma City region, with a chance to play Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight contests at the Ford Center.
Instead, OSU is in the New Orleans region of the tournament. For the first weekend, the Cowgirls will be at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
"It would have been fun to have the chance to (play) in Oklahoma City," OSU coach Kurt Budke said. "I think you would have seen 18,000 orange shirts (in the Ford Center)."
In a 7 p.m. Saturday game to be televised by ESPN2 cable 26, the Cowgirls are matched with 14th-seeded East Tennessee State. The OSU-East Tennessee State winner faces sixth-seeded Ohio State or 11th-seeded Florida State next Monday.
In the latest Associated Press' poll, OSU has the highest ranking -- No. 13 -- in the history of its program. The Cowgirls are ahead of No. 14 Oklahoma in the poll and have a better NCAA seed, but the fifth-seeded Sooners got what OSU coveted.
With an NCAA seed of No. 4, the Sooners are in the Oklahoma City region. OU's first- and second-round games are played on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Ind.
"I hope all Big 12 teams advance as far as they can," Budke said. "I know if (the Sooners) have a chance to go to the Ford Center, they'll pack it up and show people what Big 12 basketball is all about."
The Cowgirls (25-7) are making their second consecutive NCAA ap pearance and their ninth overall. OSU's previous high seed was a No. 5 in 1991.
"I'm very happy with the seed (and) very happy with the respect that we've gained around the nation," Budke said. "You know what? You go play. There are probably a lot of other people that are unhappy with where they're going, and there are people unhappy that they're not in the tournament. So, you know what? We're not going to complain or whine about it. We're just going to go play basketball."
Cowgirl junior Taylor Hardeman is a veteran of OSU's 0-16 finish in Big 12 play two years ago. While acknowledging that she would have preferred the opportunity to play in Oklahoma City, she said, "I can't complain. A couple of years ago, we were a long way from being in this position."
As the champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference, the East Tennessee State Bucs (21-11) make their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
"We don't know much about them, but we will very shortly," Budke said.
East Tennessee State is No. 113 in the RPI. The Bucs have an eight-game win streak and victories in 15 of last 16 games, but they are 0-3 against teams in the NCAA Tournament field.
On Monday, OSU hosted a watch party on the south-side club level of Boone Pickens Stadium. About 500 fans viewed ESPN's selection show. When the OSU-East Tennessee State matchup appeared on the screen, there was a loud cheer. Moments later, there were scattered complaints as fans realized that the Cowgirls were denied a shot at competing in Oklahoma City.
Andrea Riley, OSU's All-Big 12 sophomore point guard, dwelled on the positives.
"I had butterflies to know what seed we were going to be. I'm happy that we're a 3 seed," she said. "We're looking forward to going all the way. We're looking to compete with the best and beat the best. We're hungry. We want this so bad."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OSU WOMEN: KNOW THE FOE
East Tennessee State Bucs
Coach: Karen Kemp
Season record: 21-11 overall, 14-2 Atlantic Sun Conference, champions of conference tournament.
Best wins: The Bucs won 73-62 at Alabama, but the Crimson Tide finished 8-22 overall and in last place in the Southeastern Conference.
Worst loss: On Dec. 22, East Tennessee State lost 75-52 at Georgetown.
Top players: G Siarre Evans (13.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg), G Michele DeVault (12.8 ppg, 86 percent on free throws).