 The Seeds • 1. Duke • 2. Connecticut • 3. Georgia • 4. Michigan State • 5. Kentucky • 6. Temple • 7. Virginia Tech • 8. Southern California • 9. South Florida • 10. Missouri • 11. Hartford • 12. Chattanooga • 13. Wisconsin-Milwaukee • 14. Marist • 15. Coppin State • 16. Southern |
The Washington Post
Tuesday, March 14, 2006; Page E6
Record: 26-3, 12-2.
Coach: Gail Goestenkors.
Top players: F Monique Currie, 6-0, Sr. (16.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.8 apg); F Mistie Williams, 6-3, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 64% FG); G Lindsey Harding, 5-8, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.5 apg).
Data: It's remarkable that Duke, which leads Division I in scoring (87.6 ppg), shooting (51 percent), assists (21.1 per game) and blocked shots (7.5 per game), has only one player ranked among the Division I leaders -- Alison Bales, who is ninth in blocks per game (3.1). The selfless Blue Devils' three losses this season were to two conference rivals -- North Carolina twice and Maryland once. They handed Tennessee its worst loss of the season, a 22-point decision on Jan. 23. Duke is outrebounding its opponents by nearly 10 rebounds per game.
Record: 29-4, 14-2.
Coach: Geno Auriemma.
Top players: G-F Ann Strother, 6-3, Sr. (13.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 81% FT); G Mel Thomas, 5-9, Soph. (11.6 ppg, 1.6 spg, 44.1% 3-pt.); F-G Barbara Turner, 6-0, Sr. (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 53.5% FG); F Charde Houston, 6-1, Soph. (9.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 54.8% FG).
Data: The Huskies won their second straight Big East tournament but didn't have to face Rutgers -- which handed U-Conn. its only two losses in its past 19 games -- to do so. U-Conn. used nine different starting lineups this season; Strother was the only player who started all 33 games. Strother and Turner have scored more than 1,500 points apiece in their careers, but freshman point guard Renee Montgomery might be the key. The Big East rookie of the year averaged 14.2 points in the last five regular season games.
Record: 21-8, 10-4.
Coach: Andy Landers.
Top players: F Tasha Humphrey, 6-3, Soph. (20.2 ppg, 9 rpg, 52% FG); G Sherill Baker, 5-8, Sr. (18 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.3 apg); G Cori Chambers, 5-9, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42% 3-pt.).
Data: Georgia's four SEC losses were to two teams -- LSU and Tennessee -- and by a combined 20 points. What pleases Landers the most has been the consistency shown by Humphrey and Baker. Humphrey, a two-time all-SEC pick, is the second leading scorer in the SEC. She has scored in double figures in all but two games this season. Baker, the SEC defensive player of the year and first-team all-SEC selection, leads Division I in steals (4.6 per game) and ranks among the top 15 in career steals (411).
Record: 22-9, 11-6.
Coach: Joanne P. McCallie.
Top players: F Liz Shimek, 6-1, Sr. (17.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 83% FT); G Lindsay Bowen, 5-7, Sr. (12.7 ppg, 3.9 apg, 91.5% FT); G Victoria Lucas-Perry, 5-9, Jr. (10.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 88.9% FT); G Rene Haynes, 5-10, Jr. (9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.4 apg); F Aisha Jefferson, 6-1, Fr. (6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 spg).
Data: The Spartans led the Big Ten in rebounding margin during the regular season, averaging 5.8 more than their opponents. But it was a team effort, as only Shimek (who tied for first) ranked in the top 20 individually in the conference. Shimek and Bowen are battling to see who will finish their career as the program's career leading scorer. At the end of the regular season, Bowen was three points ahead in career points. Bowen also is the school's all-time leader in three-pointers, and Shimek is tops in career rebounding.
Record: 21-8, 9-5.
Coach: Mickie DeMoss.
Top players: G Samantha Mahoney, 5-10, Soph. (12 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg); C Sarah Elliott, 6-6, Soph. (10.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 55% FG); G Jenny Pfeiffer, 5-8, Jr. (10.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 90% FT).
Data: Despite a roster of nine freshmen and sophomores, Kentucky has enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in a long time. The Wildcats finished fourth in the SEC -- their highest finish in 23 years -- and recorded their most wins in 16 years. The crowning achievement so far was a 66-63 victory over Tennessee on Jan. 26 -- the first win over a No. 1 team in school history. Pfeiffer, who doesn't start, leads the team in free throw attempts (99) despite being a spot-up shooter. She ranks eighth in Division I free throw percentage.
Record: 24-7, 12-4.
Coach: Dawn Staley.
Top players: C Candice Dupree, 6-2, Sr. (17.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.2 bpg); F Kamesha Hairston, 6-0, Jr. (12.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Khadija Bowens, 5-11, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg).
Data: Temple tends to frustrate its opponents with its stingy defense. The Owls have limited their opponents to 36-percent shooting and have held 22 of them under 59 points. Dupree, the two-time Atlantic 10 player of the year, has scored 20 or more points in five of her last seven games. She also had five double-doubles during that span. The Owls are making their third consecutive NCAA appearance.
Record: 20-9, 6-8.
Coach: Beth Dunkenberger.
Top players: F Dawn Chriss, 6-1, Sr. (12.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 49% FG); F Kerri Gardin, 6-1, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2 spg); G Carrie Mason, 5-7, Sr. (12 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.5 apg).
Data: Virginia Tech was feeling pretty good about its season after winning 14 of its first 15 games and making an appearance in the national rankings. Then the ACC season hit. The Hokies lost four of their next five games and dropped out of the rankings. They managed to finish strong, winning five of their last eight. Virginia Tech is a balanced team with four players averaging in double figures. Chriss (St. John's) reached 1,000 points for her career this season.
Record: 18-10 (11-7)
Coach: Mark Trakh.
Top players: G Eshaya Murphy, 5-11, Jr. (17.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.4 spg); G Camille LeNoir, 5-6, Soph. (13 ppg, 4.1 apg); G Meghan Gnekow, 5-11, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 6 rpg); C Chloe Kerr, 6-3, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg).
Data: Injuries put the pressure on Murphy and LeNoir and they have responded for the Women of Troy. Murphy, an all-conference pick, is the only player to start every game and leads the team in points, rebounds, three-point percentage and steals. LeNoir earned a starting spot in December and hasn't looked back, scoring in double digits in 21 of 28 games. Her presence has helped the team overcome the loss of sophomore guard Brynn Cameron, better known as USC quarterback Matt Leinart's girlfriend, who hasn't played since January because of a hip injury. Junior forward Jamie Funn and sophomore guard Simone Jelks are also injured.
Record: 19-11, 9-7.
Coach: Jose Fernandez.
Top players: F Jessica Dickson, 5-11, Jr. (22.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 86% FT); C Nalini Miller, 6-2, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 bpg); G Shantia Grace, 5-6, Fr. (10.2 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.5 spg).
Data: The Bulls thrived in their first season in the Big East and are in the NCAA tournament after back-to-back trips to the WNIT, thanks largely to Dickson, who was a unanimous selection to the all-conference team. Dickson led the nation in scoring for much of the season before being overtaken by LSU's Seimone Augustus, and her 648 points set a school season record. Miller, who played at Crossland High, is the school's career leading shot blocker.
Record: 20-8, 10-6.
Coach: Cindy Stein.
Top Players: G LaToya Bond, 5-7, Sr. (17.5 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2 spg); C Christelle N'Garsanet, 6-3, Sr. (13.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.3 bpg); F Carlynn Savant, 6-1, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 45.2% 3-pt.); F EeTisha Riddle, 6-3, Jr. (9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.3 apg).
Data: The Tigers reached 20 wins in the regular season for the first time since 1990, but had to sweat out a tournament bid. They started 13-2, 3-0 in the Big 12, and opened the conference slate by snapping defending national champion Baylor's 30-game winning streak. But they closed the regular season just 4-4, losing at conference also-ran Kansas and being soundly beaten in their home finale by Nebraska.
Record: 26-3, 15-1.
Coach: Jennifer Rizzotti.
Top Players: F-C Danielle Hood, 6-1, Soph. (13.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 55% FG); G Erika Messam, 5-8, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.8 rpg); F Erica Beverly, 6-0, Fr. (10.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg); G Ikea Witt, 5-8, Jr. (9.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 83% FT).
Data: The Hawks won the conference tournament for the second straight year and set a team record for wins in the process. They are 8-0 in games decided by 10 points or less. Rizzotti, the conference coach of the year, is in her seventh season after an all-American career at Connecticut. She recently said Messam, the conference player of the year, is the biggest reason the program went from seven wins in 2003 to 26 this season. Freshman MaryLynne Schaefer (Westfield High) has made a school-record 55 three-pointers.
Record: 27-3, 16-0.
Coach: Wes Moore.
Top Players: F Tiffani Roberson, 6-0, Sr. (13.2 ppg, 5 rpg, 56.4% FG); G-F Katasha Brown, 5-11, Sr. (13.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 42.3% 3-pt.); G-F Alex Anderson, 6-1, Soph. (10.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg); G Nicole Mattison, 5-9, Sr. (8.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.5 apg); G Brooke Hand, 5-8, Soph. (10.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg).
Data: The Lady Mocs enter the NCAA tournament on a 26-game winning streak, longest in the nation, but not the longest the team's three seniors have enjoyed -- they won 27 straight in 2003-04, including a first-round upset of Rutgers in the NCAAs. Those seniors have a career record of 107-16. The Lady Mocs rely heavily on three-pointers -- their 8.1 three-point baskets per game rank second in the country -- and they are efficient, making 38.4 percent of those attempts (13th nationally).
Record: 22-8, 14-2.
Coach: Sandy Botham.
Top players: C Traci Edwards, 6-2, Fr. (16. 2 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.6 apg); F Nichole Drummond, 5-10, Sr. (12.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 79% FT); F Molly O'Brien, 5-11, Sr. (10 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.1 apg).
Data: Wisconsin-Milwaukee is enjoying one of its best seasons in school history. The Panthers enter the tournament on a 12-game winning streak and have won a school record 22 games. Since January, they have lost only once -- a two-point setback to Cleveland State. In their 10 games decided by five points or less, they are 8-2. Edwards, the Horizon tournament MVP, has 15 double-doubles and ranks fifth in scoring among Division I freshmen. UWM is making its second NCAA appearance and first since 2001.
Record: 23-6, 16-2.
Coach: Brian Giorgis.
Top players: F Fifi Camara, 6-0, Sr. (16.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.9 spg); F-C Meg Dahlman, 6-3, Soph. (14.7 ppg, 1.4 bpg, 51.3% FG); G Julianne Viani, 5-7, Fr. (8.5 ppg, 2.6 apg, 40.1% 3-pt.); G Alisa Kresge, 5-7, Jr. (2.9 ppg, 5.7 apg, 4.0 rpg).
Data: Marist won its second MAAC title in three years buoyed by two transfers, Dahlman and Viani. Dahlman, who played as a freshman at Holy Cross, earned conference tournament MVP honors, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the Red Foxes' 68-57 win over Loyola (Md.) in the championship game. Viani, a Rhode Island transfer, made the conference all-rookie team. Camara, the conference player of the year, is also a transfer, having played at Genesee Community College before coming to Marist last season.
Record: 22-8, 18-0.
Coach: Derek Brown.
Top players: F Sherrie Tucker, 5-10, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Rashida Suber, 5-8, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.6 apg); F Shalamar Oakley, 5-10, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg); F-C Tanezia Harden, 6-3, Fr. (6.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 21.9 mpg): F-C Whitney Cunningham, 6-3, Fr. (4.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.9 bpg).
Data: There's good news and bad news for Coppin State as it enters the NCAA tournament. The Eagles have won 21 straight games. Unfortunately for them, no more MEAC opponents remain. Coppin State did not win a game against a nonconference opponent this season and its eight losses were by an average of 20 points. Still, the Eagles have a stellar defense, allowing a league-low 52.7 points per game, while Harden appears to be a rising star. She was twice voted the conference's rookie of the week and scored 12 points in the MEAC title game.
Record: 20-10, 14-4.
Coach: Sandy Pugh.
Top players: G Rolanda Monroe, 5-9, Sr. (18.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 36% FG); C Fredrieka Lewis, 6-4, Soph. (11 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 47% FG); G Ashley Blake, 5-10, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 24 mpg); F Indi Johnson, 6-1, Soph. (5.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 42% FG).
Data: Lewis was named SWAC freshman of the year in 2004 but missed almost all of last season because of a knee injury. This season she was named the conference tournament MVP. That leaves her one behind Monroe, who has won two conference tournament MVP awards and two SWAC player-of-the-year awards. Monroe also is the school's career leading scorer. Guard Ciara Shiggs went to Southern as a walk-on, and only because a close high school friend was going there. The friend transferred to Alabama; Shiggs stayed, and has turned into the team's defensive stopper.
