Play like a girl!

It is March Madness! Everybody in sports is talking about it.  Even the football shows are discussing who is going to win the national championships.  This blog is no different.  I have discussed the tournament and even filled a few brackets out.  That's right a few, I have commitment issues.  But there is a women's tournament going on as well.  I don't participate in the brackets for the women's tournament because I do not follow it that well.  But that is a fault of mine, not the sports.  The women play with passion and dedication.  Another thing about women's basketball is that the teams usually stay together for four full years! That is probably my favorite part about women's college basketball.  The things we love about the men's tournament are all there; the rivalries, the legendary coaches, the upsets, and the passion.  I decided to give you a few things to watch for in the women's tournament.

In each of the regions there are some great potential match-ups.  In the Trenton region we have the UConn Huskies, the number one overall seed.  UConn comes in to the NCAA tournament undefeated.  Every time I watch the Lady Huskies play they destroy teams.  The get their confidence from legendary coach Geno Auriema, whom I have a hard time deciding if I love or hate this man.  I don't see anyone in this region challenging the Huskies until, and if, they get to play, two seed Texas A&M.  TAMU is a tough gritty team and I believe they could beat UConn.

In the Berkley region we have a bit of a conundrum.  I believe the strongest seed in this conference is in the five spot.  That would be the fighting Lady Vols from Tennessee.  They are seeded lower this year than they ever have been before, AT NUMBER 5!  The history at this school is untouchable.  Pat Summit is the winningest active coach, in any college sport.  They have an opportunity to play number one seed Duke.  This will be a good match-up but I think that Tennessee will come out of this region.  Which will lead them to a match-up, possibly, with UConn.  That will be fun because Pat Summit and Geno Auriema are not exactly best friends.

In the Raleigh region there are three very Strong teams.  Maryland, Vanderbilt, and Baylor are all strong.  These three teams are the class of this region.  I really believe that Baylor will come out of this region as the winner.  They are mentally tougher than the other two teams.  

Finally in the Oklahoma City region we have a few staples in women's college basketball.  I think the most intriguing match-up in this region would be if Oklahoma and Auburn were to meet.  I like this Oklahoma team.  They play with a ton of passion.  Courtney Paris, forward for the Lady Sooners, has guaranteed that Oklahoma will win it all or she will pay back her scholarship.  That is passion.  I think that Oklahoma will come out of this region, but they will have a couple of tough possible match-ups with Auburn and strong seven seed Rutgers.

One thing missing from this year's women's college basketball this year is, the beautiful, awe-inspiring, Kay Yow.  Coach Yow has been a successful coach and motivator at North Carolina State university for over 30 years.  She also won a gold medal as the coach of the women's Olympic team in 1988.  This year Coach Yow lost her courageous fight with breast cancer after 22 years.  Her team, and college basketball fans all over, will miss her.  Thanks Coach.  Live like no one is watching and watch the girls play, you might learn a thing or two.  

A quick after thought, watch the NIT.  Did you know it has been around longer than the NCAA tourney.  Also there are some really good teams in there.  Almost all the teams that were snubbed by the NCAA are in there.  Penn State and George Mason put on a show with Penn State winning an exciting game with a game-winning three point shot.  Also a big Match-up will be Davidson verse St. Mary's.  So look out for that.  Both of these teams can make arguments to be in the NCAA tourney.  So watch it!