snuffy
03-06-2009, 08:09 AM
OSU women's basketball: Another must win for Cowgirls
By Scott Wright
Published: March 5, 2009
http://www.newsok.com/osu-womens-basketball-another-must-win-for-cowgirls/article/3350501?custom_click=headlines_widget
STILLWATER — Andrea Riley knows she’s facing a suspension in Oklahoma State’s next NCAA Tournament game. Her teammates know it, too.
They’ve had that fact hanging over their heads for nearly nine months now.
And unless they perform something close to a miracle during the next two weeks, they’re facing another season with that problem dangling over them.
With their NCAA Tournament hopes hanging by the thinnest of strings, Riley’s one-game tournament suspension will carry over to the 2009-10 season, her senior year, if the Cowgirls don’t get in this year.
OSU could potentially appeal the suspension after the season to have it revoked, but that’s no guarantee.
Either way, it’s something no one on the team is interested in discussing publicly.
"We’re not gonna talk about that,” head coach Kurt Budke said.
At 4-10 in Big 12 Conference play entering tonight’s game at No. 10 Texas A&M, the Cowgirls would have to win their two remaining regular-season games, then make some noise in the conference tournament just to get themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Still, a 6-10 conference record — even in the country’s toughest conference — will be scrutinized by the selection committee.
Or the Cowgirls could play their way in by winning the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City next week. But that will require a four-day run through some of the country’s best teams.
Otherwise, OSU could be looking at a Women’s NIT berth, with the potential to host a game or two.
"We’ve got good kids and they understand that there’s postseason available, whether it’s WNIT or whatever it is,” Budke said. "They tell me they want to keep playing.”
Budke is relying heavily on the leadership of his four seniors, Taylor Hardeman, Shaunte’ Smith, Shyvon Spears and Jennifer Wallenmeyer.
"For our teammates, we feel however we finish this year is how they’ll start out next year,” Spears said. "We just want to go out strong. If we go out knowing we played as hard as we can, then we’ll be satisfied with it.”
By Scott Wright
Published: March 5, 2009
http://www.newsok.com/osu-womens-basketball-another-must-win-for-cowgirls/article/3350501?custom_click=headlines_widget
STILLWATER — Andrea Riley knows she’s facing a suspension in Oklahoma State’s next NCAA Tournament game. Her teammates know it, too.
They’ve had that fact hanging over their heads for nearly nine months now.
And unless they perform something close to a miracle during the next two weeks, they’re facing another season with that problem dangling over them.
With their NCAA Tournament hopes hanging by the thinnest of strings, Riley’s one-game tournament suspension will carry over to the 2009-10 season, her senior year, if the Cowgirls don’t get in this year.
OSU could potentially appeal the suspension after the season to have it revoked, but that’s no guarantee.
Either way, it’s something no one on the team is interested in discussing publicly.
"We’re not gonna talk about that,” head coach Kurt Budke said.
At 4-10 in Big 12 Conference play entering tonight’s game at No. 10 Texas A&M, the Cowgirls would have to win their two remaining regular-season games, then make some noise in the conference tournament just to get themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Still, a 6-10 conference record — even in the country’s toughest conference — will be scrutinized by the selection committee.
Or the Cowgirls could play their way in by winning the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City next week. But that will require a four-day run through some of the country’s best teams.
Otherwise, OSU could be looking at a Women’s NIT berth, with the potential to host a game or two.
"We’ve got good kids and they understand that there’s postseason available, whether it’s WNIT or whatever it is,” Budke said. "They tell me they want to keep playing.”
Budke is relying heavily on the leadership of his four seniors, Taylor Hardeman, Shaunte’ Smith, Shyvon Spears and Jennifer Wallenmeyer.
"For our teammates, we feel however we finish this year is how they’ll start out next year,” Spears said. "We just want to go out strong. If we go out knowing we played as hard as we can, then we’ll be satisfied with it.”