March 15, 2008
New Teams Will Dot 2008 Elite Eight Field
Three No. 1 Seeds Already Out; Three Unbeaten Teams Remain
Kearney, Neb. – The 2008 NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament has already had its share of big upsets and stunning last second shots.
The 64-teams are now paired down to the "Sweet 16" as eight regional final games will be played Monday night (March 17th). The winners will come to Kearney for the Elite Eight the following week (March 26-27 & 29th) to play for a national title.
Showing how tough it is to get back to an "Elite" level, only Clayton State (Ga.) has a chance to return to Kearney.
The Lakers (20-10) are the third seed in the South Atlantic region and will play top-seed Wingate (25-7) in one region title game. That contest will be played on a neutral floor as sixth-seed Francis Marion (S.C.) serves as regional host.
On Saturday night, 2007 Elite Eight participant Drury (Mo.) was upset by Northern Kentucky, 84-65, in a Great Lakes region semifinal game. Drury was the top seed in the Great Lakes and came into the tournament with a 27-3 record.
The NKU Norse (24-8), the 2000 national champions, will play third-seed Missouri S & T (formerly Missouri-Rolla) in that region title game.
Two number one seeds didn't even make it past the first round. A pair of eighth seeds -- clubs that had to win their won conference tournament to just make the 64-team field -- won games Friday night.
Mount Olive (N.C.) shocked Indiana of Pennsylvania, 62-56, in the East Region before falling to Shepherd (W.V.), 74-66, Saturday.
In the South Central Region, thanks to a 40 foot shot at the buzzer, NW Missouri State stunned West Texas A & M, 72-71, Friday. It was the Lady Buffs' first home loss in three years. Watch the amazing shot HERE.
Like Mount Olive, Northwest won't be making it to Kearney as they lost to conference-rival Emporia State, 83-71, Saturday. Emporia (23-7) will face another MIAA school, Washburn (25-6), in the S.C. finals. The Lady Blues of WU won the 2005 national title.
Back in the East Region, fifth-seed Shepherd (24-6) will face second-seed California of Pennsylvania (26-6) for the right to come to Kearney. The Cal Vulcans won the 2004 national title in St. Joseph, Mo.
Cinderella is still alive in the South Region as sixth-seed Valdosta State of Georgia (26-5) upset the second and third seeds to reach Monday's nights game with unbeaten Delta State of Mississippi (31-0).
Delta, a three-time D2 national champ, is one of three undefeated teams remaining as Seattle Pacific (West Region) and Holy Family U. of Pennsylvania (Northeast Region) continue to win as well.
The SPU Falcons (29-0) actually trailed 2007 Elite Eight participant UC San Diego at the half Saturday but rallied for a 76-67 victory. SPU will now face 2nd-seed Alaska-Anchorage (28-4), a team that lost to Nebraska-Kearney, ironically, earlier this year.
Mean while, the Tigers of Holy Family have Division II's best mark (32-0) and will try to increase that win total when it hosts Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire (26-5) tomorrow night.
Finally, the North Central Region title game pits No. 1 seed South Dakota (30-1) vs. sixth seed Minnesota State (23-8). This is USD's last year in Division II while the MSU Mavericks, a fellow North Central Conference school, look to make it to the Elite Eight for the first time.
Go to www.ncaa.com for complete information.
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Contact: Peter Yazvac
yazvacpa@unk.edu |