NCAA Women: South Region Preview

[1] Maryland

Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman are 123-18 in their careers and have won NCAA, ACC tournament and ACC regular season titles. Coleman is averaging 23.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in the last 10 games.

Coach: Brenda Frese. Record: 28-4, 12-2.

[2] Baylor

Danielle Wilson, the team's leading scorer and rebounder and a member of the Big 12 all-defensive team, was lost for the season to a knee injury on Feb. 28. Still, the Lady Bears claimed their second Big 12 championship.

Coach: Kim Mulkey. Record: 27-5, 12-4.

[3] Louisville

The Cardinals set a school record for victories behind the dominating play of Angel McCoughtry, who led the Big East in points, rebounds and steals. Half of Louisville's losses came against undefeated Connecticut.

Coach: Jeff Walz. Record: 29-4, 14-2.

[4] Vanderbilt

The Commodores beat Auburn in the SEC final despite missing their first eight shots. Christina Wirth was first-team all-SEC and the scholar athlete of the year. Jennifer Risper was SEC defensive player of the year.

Coach: Melanie Balcomb. Record: 24-8, 10-4.

[5] Kansas State

In addition to her scoring and rebounding abilities, Shalee Lehning recorded a conference-best 200 assists during the regular season. She entered the Big 12 tournament with a school-record 771 assists in her career.

Coach: Deb Patterson. Record: 24-7, 10-6.

[6] Louisiana State

The Lady Tigers have played in five straight Final Fours, but Allison Hightower is the only player who appeared in the 2008 semifinal. LSU is giving up 53 points per game and holding foes to 35.6 percent shooting.

Coach: Van Chancellor. Record: 18-10, 10-4.

[7] South Dakota State

SDSU is in the tournament in its first year as a full-fledged Division I member. The Jackrabbits, who were ranked for much of the season, won their Summit League games by an average of 27.2 points.

Coach: Aaron Johnston. Record: 31-2, 17-1.

[8] Villanova

The Wildcats exceeded expectations this season, tying for fourth in the Big East. Laura Kurz comes from a basketball family -- her brother Rob started for Notre Dame and mother, Carol, played for Lafayette.

Coach: Harry Perretta. Record: 19-13, 10-6.

[9] Utah

The Utes allow only 55.5 points per game on 34.4 percent shooting (eighth in the nation). They also make 80.5 percent of their free throws, with Morgan Warburton and Katie King at better than 90 percent.

Coach: Elaine Elliott. Record: 22-9, 13-3.

[10] Texas Christian

The Lady Frogs lost their league tournament opener but boast wins over Maryland and California. Helena Sverrisdottir, from Iceland, ranks seventh or better in the league in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.

Coach: Jeff Mittie. Record: 20-10, 12-4.

[11] Green Bay

The Phoenix enters the tournament riding a 21-game winning streak, with its last loss coming Dec. 29 at DePaul. Green Bay was the first Horizon League team to post an 18-0 record in conference play.

Coach: Matt Bollant. Record: 29-3, 18-0.

[12] Drexel

The Dragons, the first team from Drexel to win a CAA title since the university joined the conference seven years ago, have won 16 straight, tying a program record. Gabriela Marginean was CAA player of the year.

Coach: Denise Dillon. Record: 24-8, 16-2.

[13] Western Carolina

The Catamounts, who are making their second NCAA tournament appearance and first since 2005, are riding a 10-game winning streak. Brooke Johnson is the school's career blocks leader with 130.

Coach: Kellie Harper. Record: 21-11, 14-6.

[14] Liberty

The Flames narrowly avoided an upset bid by Gardner-Webb in winning their 12th conference tournament title in 13 years. They allow only 52.3 points per game and make 12.3 three-pointers per game, most in the country.

Coach: Carey Green. Record: 24-8, 15-1.

Texas-San Antonio

Monica Gibbs, whose 6.7 assists per game ranked sixth in the nation, was the Southland player of the year. The Roadrunners won a school-record 24 games and are in the tournament for the second straight year.

Coach: Rae Rippetoe-Blair. Record: 24-8, 14-2.

[16] Dartmouth

The Big Green is making its seventh NCAA tournament appearance and first since 2006. Ivy League opponents averaged just 47.1 points per game against Dartmouth. Brittney Smith was named the Ivy League player of the year.

Coach: Chris Wielgus. Record: 18-10, 13-1.