Another Two for Terrapins

TAMPA, April 5 -- Starting with Coach Brenda Frese's announcement this past summer that she was expecting twins, Maryland's season has been all about twos. It was appropriate, therefore, when the State Farm (formerly Kodak) all-American team was announced Saturday morning, that two Maryland players were represented on the 10-member team.

Senior forward Crystal Langhorne became the program's first two-time all-American. Langhorne was joined by junior point guard Kristi Toliver.

"Goes with the theme this year," Frese said with a laugh. "It's obviously a special honor for our team and for our program. . . . It sends chills when you see them both up there and see Maryland proudly displayed."

Not since 1989, when Vicky Bullett and Deanna Tate were selected as all-Americans, has Maryland had two.

"It means a lot to be a part of this and be considered one of the top players in the nation," Langhorne said.

During her remarks, Toliver singled out assistant coach Daron Park, saying, "He's been a blessing to me."

In a mild upset, Stanford's Candice Wiggins beat out Tennessee's Candace Parker for the Wade Trophy, a player of the year award. Parker won it last year and was a favorite to win it again this year.

A First for Chancellor

LSU Coach Van Chancellor has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, won four WNBA titles and an Olympic gold medal, but this is the first time he's taking a team to the Final Four. Chancellor, who ended his brief retirement to take over LSU, is in his first season there.

"This has been like a kid at Christmastime for me," Chancellor said. "The WNBA experiences were great, but they were different. And the Olympic gold, it's just unbelievable when you coach that team. . . . It can't get any better than this, to have this opportunity, to finally arrive here as a coach and to arrive here with players you truly, really like."

Winning Formula

Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma knows the secret formula for getting to a Final Four, and he's willing to share it.

"I think if you're not coaching one of the best players in the country, it's hard to get to the Final Four," Auriemma said. "It's not a coincidence that the last three years we've not been able to get to the Final Four. . . . We didn't have a first-team all-American in '05, '06 or '07. So it's no coincidence that in 2008 we do have one, and we're going back there."

Connecticut has two first-team all-Americans: point guard Renee Montgomery and forward Maya Moore.