FIRST LOOK

* Starting lineups: CSUN--Lynda Amari, junior, forward; Jamilah Jones, junior, forward; Keisha Harris, junior, center; Edniesha Curry, sophomore, guard; Tina Greer, sophomore, guard. Colorado State--Katie Cronin, senior, forward; Heather Haanen, sophomore, forward; Farah McDill, sophomore, center; Roxanne Manning, junior, guard; Becky Hammon, senior, guard.

* Northridge at a glance: The Matadors are an uptempo team whose guards are extremely quick. Northridge has 362 steals. Curry is a two-time All-Big Sky Conference pick who averaged 19 points after moving from point guard to off guard before the season. Greer, who is from Washington High, led the team with 85 assists and 66 steals. Amari, a 6-1 transfer from Ventura College, earned All-Big Sky honors by averaging 11.1 points and making 40% of her three-point shots.

* Colorado State at a glance: The Rams, who lost to Southern Methodist in the Western Athletic Conference final Saturday after winning 31 of 32, are one of the nation’s biggest surprises. Guard Becky Hammon is an All-American candidate who averages 22.6 points and has 154 assists. Cronin averages 14.5 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds. Colorado State won the WNIT preseason tournament and the WAC regular-season championship.