The Penn State Lady Lions picked a bad year to rebuild.
Fresh off its first losing season since 1973 and the first in the Rene Portland era, the Penn State women's basketball team has already suffered through a long season. While the losing certainly stings, nothing could hurt more than watching other teams defend the Bryce Jordan Center in the first rounds of the NCAA Tournament, hosted by Penn State.
But that's exactly what Penn State will have to endure when the first round in University Park kicks off at noon Sunday, with No. 7 St. John's facing No. 10 California.
With the Lady Lions noticeably absent, there hasn't been much buzz about the tournament around Penn State aside from banners dotting the streetlights of downtown State College.
But that doesn't mean fans shouldn't enjoy a great weekend of women's basketball. In fact, here are three reasons to go:
1. Penn State won't be there, but No. 2 seeds Maryland and Connecticut will be. It's a chance for area basketball fans to see an up-and-coming Maryland team and an always terrific UConn team. Face it, fans in Happy Valley haven't exactly been treated to the best women's basketball this season. See the Feb. 2 Penn State vs. Michigan and the Feb. 23 Penn State vs. Northwestern games.
2. Geno Auriemma, UConn women's basketball coach. He's one of the most-respected and most successful coaches in NCAA history, winning five national titles. That's not all, though. Auriemma and Portland have a strained past. In 2004, Portland said UConn and Tennessee only played in the title game because of "bad seeding and bad officiating." Penn State lost to UConn by 17 in the Elite Eight that year. In an excerpt from his book released this winter, Auriemma praised Portland, saying she has done much for women's basketball, but said she handles it differently than other coaches like Tennesse's Pat Summit.
"The way Rene handles it is, 'We're Penn State, and you're not,' " Auriemma writes. "In other words, we're better than you. Our kids our smarter, and better, because we're Penn State. That kind of attitude always pisses me off. Now, if you're Pat Summit and you want to act that way, then fine. You've earned it. But Pat doesn't act that way. We don't act that way. People that do? My feeling is, 'Kiss my ass.' "
Portland declined to comment on the book in January. While watching any team defend your home court hurts, this one has to be a little more painful for Portland.
3. It's playoff basketball! The NCAA Tournament showcases some of the best basketball, with teams putting everything on the line. During the selection show, the No. 10 California Golden Bears were worried they wouldn't even get on the dance floor. They did, and they don't expect to go down too easily.
It's their first trip to the tournament since 1993, when they won their first and only tournament game against Kansas, and they're looking to make an impact for the future. California may just be the sleeper team in University Park. The Golden Bears start four freshmen, but look for them to make an inspired playoff run.
And reasons to catch the rest of the field on TV:
Achilles' Heel
The No. 1-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels have gotten the worst draw of the field despite owning the top overall seed. The Cleveland Regional is unquestionably the toughest. UNC could face No. 8 Vanderbilt on its home court in the second round. After that, there's a possible game against No. 4 Purdue.
If that isn't enough, UNC could see No. 3 Rutgers or No. 2 Tennessee, a team arguably deserving of a No. 1-seed, in the Elite Eight. Now, there's news that Lady Vols' starting point guard Alexis Hornbuckle might return from a broken wrist for the NCAAs. After that, UNC still has to get through two more games. Ivory Latta and Co. have a long road ahead of them.
Even wallflowers can dance
Pepperdine, the No. 15 seed in the San Antonio bracket, made the tournament despite a 14-16 record. The Waves surfed through the West Coast Conference tournament, winning three straight games, beating top-seeded Santa Clara in the conference championship game. While Pepperdine won't play David against No. 2 Oklahoma and freshman Goliath Courtney Paris, you can't help but root for them.
Upset specials
Normally, the women's bracket sees very little upsets, but a few have to be picked just for fun. No. 14 Liberty over No. 4 DePaul. Liberty, which ousted Penn State in the first round last year, has the same seeding as last year, and faces DePaul, the same team it defeated in the second round last year.
No. 11 Hartford over No. 6 Temple. Temple has been criticized for losing games it shouldn't have, falling to Stony Brook and St. Joseph's, two teams Hartford beat. Some extra information: former Lady Lion Lisa Etienne transferred to Hartford after Portland told her she would not be part of the team this year. Though Etienne won't play because of NCAA rules, it sounds like she got a good deal.
Predictions
Final Four: Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Connecticut. Championship game: Oklahoma vs. Tennessee. Champion: Tennessee. Summit doesn't like her team's No. 2 seed. Not to mention the Lady Vols are on a tear and won the SEC. Look for them to play motivated with a chip on their shoulders.
