Seedings Do Tell the Story

For the women’s Final Four, only highly seeded teams need apply.

Of the eight teams that have reached tonight’s regional finals, none is seeded lower than third.

All the No. 1-seeded teams--Connecticut, Tennessee, Georgia and Louisiana Tech--remain.

“I don’t think there’s any question that Connecticut, Tennessee and Georgia are the top three teams in this country,” said Louisiana Tech Coach Leon Barmore, whose team plays No. 2-seeded Penn State in the Midwest Regional at Kansas City, Mo.

“And then were does Tech fit, where does Penn State fit and then on down the line? I don’t know. But it was pretty obvious to me that was the three best basketball teams by far.”

And the best of the best, in Barmore’s view, is Connecticut, which plays No. 3-seeded Louisiana State in the East Regional at Richmond, Va.

“They’re a machine. They’ve got everything. There’s no weakness there,” Barmore said. “Does that mean they’re going to win it? I’m not saying that. I’m just saying they’ve got everything more so than anybody else.”

Connecticut (33-1) has won its three tournament games by margins of 71, 38 and 22 points and twice has scored more than 100.

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Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt startled Lady Vol fans Sunday morning when she went jogging wearing a Duke T-shirt.

For the Lady Vols, it’s a reminder that Duke eliminated Tennessee, 69-63, in the East Regional final, last season, keeping the Lady Vols from becoming the first women’s team to win four consecutive national titles.

Summitt, whose team plays No. 3-seeded Texas Tech in this year’s Mideast Reginal final, has been wearing that shirt since last summer.

“I don’t think it’s even necessary to talk about what happened a year ago,” said Summit, whose team is the only one to beat Connecticut. “It’s a new team. We’re in a new situation. We have players that are in somewhat of a different role.”

Texas Tech, which won a national title in 1993 with Sheryl Swoopes, is playing in its first regional final since 1995. The Lady Raiders, who came back from a 17-point deficit to beat Notre Dame Saturday, are used to surprising teams. The won the Big 12 Conference’s regular-season title despite being picked to finish fifth.

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The Louisiana Tech-Penn State game will be emotional for both coaches. Barmore, trying to get Tech into the Final Four for the 11th time, is retiring when the season ends. Penn State’s Rene Portland has won 75% of her games in 24 seasons as a coach but has never been to the Final Four.

“I’ll weep a few minutes right now for Rene. Then I hope she doesn’t make the Final Four,” Barmore said with a grin. “And I hope she gets emotional ‘cause I’ll hug her neck regardless. And if she happens to beat me and get to the Final Four, I’ll hug it even at that moment.”

Despite an improved inside game, Louisiana Tech still relies on guards Betty Lennox and Tamicha Jackson, especially on defense. The two have combined to average six steals a game and help Tech force 26 turnovers a game.

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Georgia hasn’t had a tournament game closer than 21 points, but it must solve a Rutgers defense that has held 15 opponents to fewer than 50 points.

Today’s Women’s Regional Finals

EAST

At Richmond, Va.

Connecticut (33-1) vs. Louisiana State (25-6)

MIDEAST

At Memphis, Tenn.

Tennessee (31-3) vs. Texas Tech (28-4)

MIDWEST

At Kansas City, Mo.

Louisiana Tech (31-2) vs. Penn State (29-4)

WEST

At Portland, Ore.

Georgia (32-3) vs. Rutgers (25-7)