Another 1, and another 1 bite the dust.

In what was most certainly one of the most entertaining Final Four matchups in recent times, Connecticut and Stanford (both #1 seeds) were both upset by #2 seeds Notre Dame and Texas  A&M respectively.

When Stanford beat UConn last December, ending the Lady Huskies’ 90 game win streak, it was widely expected that would end up facing off in the national title game.  They seemed destined for that rematch after getting through their respective regions without much struggle.  It turns out that the Fighting Irish and Aggies had other ideas.  The key to both these upsets could be summed up in one word; defense.

Texas A&M had the size and grit to match Stanford’s pedigree.  When Stanford took a 54-44 lead with a little over 5 minutes remaining, the Aggies may have been down but not out.  Stanford got outscored 19-8 while committing 3 turnovers the rest of the way (the Aggies had no turnovers).

Despite another big game from Nneka Ogumwike, the rest of the Cardinal players were pretty much held in check.  Jeanette Pohlen was the only other player in double figures (11 points).  It also didn’t help much that Melanie Murphy spent most of the game in foul trouble, eventually fouling out.  Jeanette Pohlen, Kayla Pedersen and Melanie Murphy have been part of some great Stanford teams, but going home empty after 4 straight Final Fours isn’t exactly an easy pill to swallow.

Not to be outdone, Notre Dame who was playing a virtual “home game” saved the best for last.  In front of a partisan crowd in Indianapolis, the Irish were looking to make amends for their three previous losses against UConn.  The Irish had got through the tournament with some tough defense and good perimeter shooting.

Maya Moore and Jeanette Pohlen: fallen legends

They carried that mode into this match against a young and shorthanded UConn team.  The Huskies were using a 7-player rotation and Coach Geno Auriemma hinted that they would be vulnerable especially in encounters as tough as this one.  With Stefanie Dolson sitting out for most of the game after getting into early foul trouble, UConn had to rely on a much smaller lineup for most of the game and Notre Dame made them pay dearly.

While Maya Moore carried the team on her back in this game like she had done all season, Notre Dame was able to answer behind the sensational play of Skylar Diggins, Brittany Mallory and Natalie Novosel.  Mallory and Novosel hit key three pointers, while Diggins would simply not let this team lose.

Diggins made what was arguably the play of the game, with a minute and change left to play.  With the Irish leading by 5 points, Diggins came up with a steal and drove all the way to the basket for a layup that pushed the lead to 7 points, effectively ending the game.  The Huskies wouldn’t get any closer than 4 points.  Notre Dame advanced to their first final since 2001 when, in a cruel twist of irony, they beat UConn in the national semis.

Both games were truly exciting and an excellent showcase for the women’s game.  Texas A&M and Notre Dame may not have been the best teams in the country, but were hands down the best teams in the tournament.

Diggin' the scene.

Notre Dame had yet to beat Tennessee in 20 previous meetings that spanned over 28 years.  There’s always a first time for everything, and that time was Monday night.  The Fighting Irish clinched the first Final Four berth after yet another impressive performance over the top seeded Volunteers.

Last Saturday, Notre Dame crushed Oklahoma not only with their size and experience, but also some bruising defense and perimeter shooting.  Having lost to the Sooners in overtime last year, Notre Dame made sure that the outcome of their contest would be decided early.

Against Tennessee, Skylar Diggins 24 points powered the Irish in an epic win for the program.  Natalie Novosel added 17 points and Becca Bruszewski a.k.a “The Bruiser”, who was a game time decision, chipped in with 13 points.

Notre Dame are headed to their first Final Four since 2001, when they won it all, and will face a familiar opponent; Connecticut.  This will be the fourth meeting this season, with the Huskies having won the previous three.  The Irish played them close in their first meeting in January, losing by three, but the Huskies got the better of them in the next two.

That’s all in the past, however, and you can expect Diggins and crew to give it all they’ve got this time around.  It also doesn’t hurt that they’ll be playing behind a partisan crowd, with the fixture being in Indianapolis.

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said it best, while to trying fire up her team in the locker room during half time, “That team out there (Notre Dame), they're on a mission!!”

2011: A Baylor Odyssey.

In a previous article, I already covered a budding star in Oklahoma freshman Aaryn Ellenberg (read "In Ellenberg we trust").  During Sunday afternoon's game between Baylor and OU, there was another star freshman on the court; Baylor guard Odyssey Sims.

When covering the Lady Bears, usually all the attention is turned - and understandably so - toward 6'8" Brittney Griner, who no doubt is a force to reckon with.  Defensively, teams have to find a way to account for her and Sunday was no exception.  Every time she touched the ball, there were no less than three defenders crowding her.  She still managed to put up 21 points, which is right about what she is averaging this season.

However, the star of the game was Odyssey Sims.  She scored 37 points including the go ahead jumper with 8.3 seconds left that turned out to be the game winner.  Baylor needed every single one of those points as they edged OU by a final score of 82-81.


Griner should dunk more often

When the Sooners were crowding Griner, the perimeter was left open and Baylor went 13 of 27 from the 3-point line.  Sims alone converted 9 of them, tying a school record.  She was coming of two sub par games (against Texas A&M and Kansas State) in which she was a combined 2-13 from the field.  Judging by the way she played, you could not have guessed it (unless you follow Baylor basketball, in which case you'd probably know a lot more than I do).


Her 14 points (13.8 if you're really keeping score) currently rank second on the team behind Griner (22 points).  If anything, Sunday's game served notice to those who thought that Baylor is composed of Brittney Griner and 4 other players (I am guilty as charged).  In an earlier season loss to Connecticut, Sims put up 17 points (second on the team behind Griner's 19) as Baylor nearly ended the Huskies winning streak (which at the time stood at 79).

Baylor, who made the national semis last season, will be a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament.  They are looking every bit like a team capable of bringing home another national title; their first since 2005.  Should Griner and Sims team up like they've done for most of the season, who's to say that it' can't happen?

In Ellenberg we trust.

At season's end, Oklahoma will bid farewell to senior guard Danielle Robinson; a player who's had as big an impact as any to have come through the program.  Robinson has been a great leader for the team; especially in the last couple of seasons, following the the departures of the Paris twins (Courtney and Ashley).  Anyone who's followed Robinson's career will appreciate what she's meant to Oklahoma.  In my opinion, she can be a starter for ANY team in the country, right now.

In Aaryn Ellenberg, the future is here.  The OU vs Baylor game was the first time I really got to watch her play.  I'll admit it, I haven't watched a lot of women's basketball this season.  However when I watched that game on Sunday afternoon, I saw a player that was poised and fearless.  She may be a freshman, but she sure didn't play like one.


Ellenberg and Robinson; the present and the future



Whenever Oklahoma needed a spark from anyone beside Danielle Robinson, Ellenberg stepped up to the plate.  She made key baskets that kept Oklahoma in the game whenever Baylor seemed to run away with it.  Ellenberg and Robinson finished with 25 points each (tied for the team lead), and the Sooners might have won the game had Robinson's lay up at the buzzer fallen through the hoop.  She and Robinson were also the only OU players that were on the court for the entire game.

Ellenberg, who was highly rated out of high school, chose Oklahoma over Baylor, Arizona State, California and Connecticut.  Not a bad group, especially when you consider that Connecticut was in the mix (and everyone knows that UConn don't just recruit anybody).  After watching her play, I can now see why her talents were in such high demand.

There is no doubt that we'll miss Danielle Robinson dearly.  Ellenberg certainly offers hope for tomorrow as Oklahoma continues its quest for a national championship.  I'm very confident that she will be for this team tomorrow, what Robinson is today.  And hopefully when her time in Norman is up, she will have led this team to that increasingly elusive next level.