2008 Woodie Awards
Seeds mean nothing in women's bracket
Ryan Ferguson
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
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Western Illinois has held that top spot and been upset four times during that span, but after Oakland's win Monday night, the Westerwinds enter this year's conference tournament as the No. 2 seed.
"The No. 1 seed, it's like the curse," said coach Leslie Crane. "But usually that No. 1 seed has been the (regular season) conference champion. It doesn't make any difference, especially in this tournament this year."
Joining Western in the bottom half of the bracket is IUPUI, Southern Utah and Saturday's opponent, UMKC. The 'Winds hold a 5-1 record against those three squads with the one loss coming at IUPUI last weekend.
The top half of the bracket consists of top-seeded Oakland taking on Centenary and Oral Roberts matching up against IPFW. Western's record against those four teams is 5-3, something that has senior guard Gina Hugelier liking her team's No. 2 seed.
"We like our seed. We like the teams in our bracket," Hugelier said. "We definitely like that Oakland, Oral Roberts and IPFW are all in the same bracket knowing only one of them can come out of it. We're really excited; we're ready to go."
The 'Winds open up tournament play against UMKC, a team Western beat twice this season. That regular-season success, however, does not hold any bearing for Crane.
"This is not the season. This is a third season," she said. "What we've done up until now doesn't make any difference; it's gone."
UMKC guard Chazny Morris leads the Kangaroos into Saturday's game as the Summit's second-leading scorer, posting 17.8 points per game this season.
While she did not play in the two teams' first meeting in January, Morris scored 17 points when UMKC lost to Western on Feb. 4. She was the Kangaroos' main offensive threat in the game as she attempted 17 of her team's 49 shots on the game. Nine of those field goal attempts were from behind the 3-point line.
"(Morris) can shoot the 3, and she can penetrate," Hugelier said. "So you don't know whether to approach high or approach low. You just have to play defense."
As far as UMKC's defensive play, it ranks fourth in field goal percentage defense. The Kangaroos also finished the regular season second in both 3-point field goal percentage defense and blocked shots.
Crane said UMKC added some different zone defensive looks, adding to the 'Winds' preparation.
"Now they run, like, three or four different defenses," Crane said. "So, it's just a matter of knowing where to set screens, where the openings are going to be (and) where you can score against each zone."
Looking ahead, if both higher-seeded teams win their first-round games, the bracket would produce a rematch between Western and IUPUI. In their last meeting, the Jaguars spoiled the 'Winds' chances at not only a No. 1 seed, but also a winning record.
Western will have additional motivation if the two teams meet up in the semifinals Monday because IUPUI knocked the 'Winds out of the tournament last year.
"I think (last year's loss is) still with each and every one of us that's been here," Hugelier said. "It is hard knowing it doesn't matter who you play. You can be out the first round whether you're the favorite or not. You have to go in with the mindset you have to win day to day."
Crane added it would be nice to get another shot at IUPUI in the second round, but her team must not overlook UMKC.
"We can't set our sights on something after that game," Crane said. "We've got to set our sights and have blinders on and be very focused - one game at a time. It is a three-game season, but you've got to do it one at a time.
"We'd like to see IUPUI in the semis, but first and foremost, let's get the first one."
Now in her 10th season as Western's coach, Crane has yet to compete in a conference tournament where the No. 1 seed has cut down the nets, so she knows anything is possible.
"It's March. That's why they call it March Madness," she said.
Tip-off between the 'Winds and Kangaroos is set for 2:30 p.m. in Tulsa, Okla.
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