MSU women have legitimate shot at Final Four
Michigan State senior Lauren Aitch couldn't have said it better Monday night, saying, "It's a beautiful bracket," when the Spartans found out who they were playing in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
No Connecticut anywhere in sight. The Spartans wouldn't play the Huskies until the national championship game.
MSU's goal is to reach the Alamo ... play in the Final Four next month in San Antonio. It could happen.
The Spartans have a veteran team. Senior center Allyssa DeHaan said she will be healthy with her back spasms behind her. They want to put last year's horrible final minutes behind them when they let a seven-point lead slip away in the last 1 1-2 minutes in a loss to Iowa State, preventing them from an Elite Eight appearance.
The Spartans first have to take care of MAC champion Bowling Green Saturday afternoon in Louisville. They have to defend the perimeter, especially MAC Player of the Year Lauren Prochaska.
If, and when the Spartans get past BG, a second-round game against No. 15 Kentucky will more likely be facing them. Kentucky has split its last eight games.
If the Spartans win their first two games, they will advance to Kansas City, a regional they won in 2005 to advance to the Final Four. Top-seeded Nebraska will more than likely be awaiting them. Guess what? Texas A&M proved Nebraska could be beaten, knocking the Cornhuskers out of the Big 12 Tournament. And, the pressure could be getting to a Nebraska team that wasn't even in the Big Dance last year.
Now, if the Spartans are 3-0 at this time, No. 2 seed Notre Dame could be next. MSU has played Notre Dame the last couple of years, losing to the Irish 68-67 this season on a free throw with 10 seconds left.
See, the Spartans have a legitimate shot at reaching San Antonio. They enter the tournament with momentum, winning 11 of their last 13 games. They have to play with the same toughness they showed in upsetting Duke in the second-round of last year's tourney at the Breslin Center. If they do that, it could be a fun run.
Michigan on bubble for tonight's NCAA women's Selection Show
Michigan will be hoping for the last at-large bid into the NCAA women's basketball tournament when the pairings are announced tonight.
The Wolverines are on the bubble at 17-13 with a 46 RPI. ESPN Bracketology analyst Charlie Creme had Michigan as the last team in the field in his last column. He then had them as one of the last four teams out Saturday before putting them in the field for his final bracket Sunday. That's how close it's going to be for the Wolverines ... flip a coin.
Michigan showed it can play against the elite teams, owning a win against No. 5 Xavier. The Wolverines, although having a sub-.500 record in Big Ten play, own a pair of victories over Iowa (19-13), another team that is on the bubble. The Wolverines' RPI is also better than Iowa's (49).
By the way, Creme has Michigan projected as a No. 12 seed, playing Oklahoma State in Norfolk, Va.
Ironically, RealTimeRPI.com has the Wolverines not making the field. The website had Michigan in the field for weeks until this past weekend.
Expect Michigan coach Kevin Borseth to be sweating things out tonight, hoping to see Michigan's name on the board.
Hope women advance to Sweet 16, Michigan Tech wins GLIAC
Hope College made the most of its homecourt advantage to advance to the Division III Women's Basketball tournament Sweet 16.
The Flying Dutch (29-1) dominated Denison (68-40) in a first-round game Friday, then defeated DePauw 68-54 Saturday for their 61st consecutive victory at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Hope (29-1) will be playing in the four-team sectional at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. Hope will face Marymount, Virginia (28-1) Friday at 6, with Illinois Wesleyan (28-1)-Wisconsin Stevens Point (23-6) to follow. The final is set for Saturday night.
Hope will be hoping for a return trip to Bloomington the following week (March 19-20) for the Final Four at the same site.
Michigan Tech, fresh off its GLIAC tournament championship, will enter the Division II national tournament ranked No. 3. The Huskies (28-2) defeated Northern Michigan 73-69 in the GLIAC title game Saturday in Houghton. The teams had split the season's series.
GLIAC Player of the Year Katie Wysocky (17.6 points, 11.7 rebounds) and the Huskies will remain at home, owning the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional. They will face Northern Kentucky in a 6 p.m. quarterfinal Friday. In other first-round games, Drury will play Southern Indiana at noon, followed by Northern Michigan-Indianapolis at 2:30 and Wisconsin-Parkside-Findlay at 8:30.
Semifinals are set for Saturday with Drury-Southern Indiana winner playing the Northern Michigan-Indianapolis winner at 5, with the other semifinal to follow. The regional championship will be decided Monday night.
The Huskies defeated Northern Kentucky in a semifinal last year before beating Indianapolis for the regional title and spot in the Elite Eight.
Grand Valley's men's team will make its fifth straight appearance in the NCAA DII tourney. The Lakers (21-8), the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Regional, will face No. 4 seed Findlay in a quarterfinal game Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at Owensboro, Kentucky.
Basketball was big again at EMU, even in defeat to Chippewas
Basketball was important again at Eastern Michigan ... at least for one night.
The suites were filled at the Convocation Center Thursday night. The crowd - with EMU president Dr. Susan Martin standing in the front row of the student section - was lively with a Mid-American Conference division title at stake.
In the end, Central Michigan's experience was the difference in the Chippewas' 56-55 victory over EMU.
CMU's win, coupled with Western Michigan's win over Ball State gave the Chippewas (15-14, 9-7) the MAC West title outright and a No. 2 seed in the MAC tournament next week in Cleveland. The Eagles (16-14, 8-8) will host a first-round game Sunday against Northern Illinois with the winner moving on to Cleveland.
The Chippewas had been in a pressure situation before, coming back from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat WMU in Kalamazoo last year to earn a share of the West while preventing the Broncos from winning the title outright.
EMU was looking to earn its first division or conference championship since 1996. The Eagles, who last played in the NCAA tournament in '98, had the title in their grasp, but let it slip away.
Justin Dobbins' inside basket gave the Eagles a 55-50 lead with 2:30 left, but they didn't score again despite having numerous opportunities.
CMU center Marko Spica scored inside to cut the deficit to three, then Robbie Harman (14 points, 8 assists) made a deep three to pull the Chippewas even at 55 with 1:13 left. They made 10-of-25 threes for the game, 5-of-12 in the second half.
"It was a missed assignment," EMU coach Charles Ramsey said. "When you're up three you don't want to give up a three. Good players make good plays and he made a good play."
Then, after EMU senior guard Carlos Medlock (27 points) failed to get a call while driving to the basket, CMU's Jalin Thomas was fouled, then made a free throw for the difference.
The Eagles still had chances, but Medlock missed a three-pointer, Brandon Bowdry missed two free throws with 18.8 seconds left, and Medlock lost the ball out of bounds on a drive with five seconds remaining.
"We had opportunities," said Ramsey who had the biggest show of support (2,148 fans) since his debut against former EMU coach Ben Braun and California played in Ypsilanti on Nov. 18, 2005. "We missed two free throws. We had the lead. I have a bunch of kids crying their eyes out. They just lost the biggest games of their lives. They had it (title) in their grips. I told them I was proud of how they battled to give themselves an opportunity."
CMU coach Ernie Zeigler was finishing his radio show on press row while looking on a computer as WMU put the finishing touches to its win over Ball State.
"Hold on Broncos," Zeigler said, hoping CMU's biggest rival would win. "This (championship) is a strong sign our program is going in the right direction."
Even in defeat, EMU's program is also going in the right direction. The Eagles played a game that mattered on the final game of the regular season.
And, if Bowdry finds himself in position to win a game at this time next year, expect him to knock down those free throws.
Simply put, that's how important experience is. Sometimes you have to go through a painful defeat before you can feel the thrill of a championship victory.
Hope, Calvin women get ready for Division II NCAA hoop tourney
Hope College women's basketball team will open up the NCAA tournament on its homecourt this weekend.
Hope, the 2006 national champion, was hoping to play for the national title on its home floor, DeVos Fieldhouse last season, but was knocked out of the tourney by George Fox (Oregon) in a national quarterfinal game.
Hope starts its journey for the title at DeVos Friday against Denison (21-7). DePauw, Ind. (25-3) will also play at the site against Lakeland, Wis. (22-6). Game times will be announced later this week. The winners will play Saturday.
Hope (27-1, 16-0 MIAA), winners of 18 straight, is led by 6-foot-2 center Carrie Snikkers (12.6 points, 7.1 rebounds) and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, Philana Greene. Both players have been selected to the All-MIAA first-team for the second straight year.
Hope's men's team (21-7) will play in the NCAA tournament at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Hope will face St. Norbert (22-3) Friday, followed by Stevens Point-Carleton.
Hope advanced to the national semifinal in 2008 before getting knocked out in the first round last year.
Calvin (19-9) lost 78-74 to Hope in the MIAA title game Saturday before 3,651 at Van Noord Arena in Grand Rapids. It was a record ninth MIAA tournament title for Hope, including its third straight. The outcome ended Calvin's hopes for an NCAA tourney spot.
Calvin's women's team (24-4) will play in the NCAA tournament sectional at DePere, Wis. to face St. Norbert (22-3), the host team, Friday at 8:30. The winner will face the winner of the Wisconsin-Stevens Point-Minnesota-Morris game Saturday.
Hope defeated Calvin in the MIAA title game 68-49.
U-M on Big Dance bubble heading into Big Ten women's tourney
Michigan put itself on the NCAA tournament bubble when it came back from an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Purdue 64-63 Sunday afternoon at Crisler Arena.
The Wolverines (16-12, 8-10) will enter the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament as the No. 7 seed. They will open up the tourney Thursday at noon against No. 10 seed Northwestern at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Wolverines could earn an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament with a win over Northwestern. They currently have an RPI of 43 and own a signature win against No. 5 Xavier.
If the Wolverines get by Northwestern, they would advance to a 11:30 a.m. showdown with No. 2 seed Michigan State Friday.
The Big Ten should get at least four teams in The Big Dance with the conference ranked as the fifth strongest in the nation by RealTimeRPI.com.
Big Ten regular season champion Ohio State (27-4, 15-3), MSU (21-8, 12-6, 19 RPI) and Wisconsin (20-9, 30 RPI) should be locked into the 64-team field. Iowa, the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten tourney, is 17-12 and has an RPI of 68. The Wolverines have swept the Hawkeyes. Purdue, the No. 5 seed, is 14-15 overall, and Penn State (16-12, 8-10, 77 RPI), the No. 6 seed, has lost eight of its last nine games.
RealTimeRPI.com has Michigan in the NCAA tourney field as a No. 9 seed in its Bracketology. ESPN had Michigan as one of the first four out of its Bracketology, but that was before the Wolverines capped off the regular season with a pair of victories.
March Madness begins this Thursday for the Wolverines and they have to avoid an upset if they have any thoughts of playing in the Big Dance.
And, Michigan State will enter the Big Ten tourney with a legitimate shot to hoist the championship trophy. After all, the Spartans enter as the hottest team, winning 10 of their last 11 games, including a 71-68 overtime win at Ohio State a week ago.
MSU planning special day Friday for key hockey game
Michigan State has an important hockey game Friday night at Munn Arena with the Spartans trying to take a step closer to earning a spot in the NCAA tournament.
MSU officials are making the night more special, allowing the fans to come in at 2:50 p.m. so they can watch former MSU All-American Ryan Miller and Team USA play their semifinal game on the video boards at 3. Team USA faces Finland with the winner advancing to Sunday's Gold Medal game.
Miller won the Hobey Baker Award his junior year with the Spartans.
MSU has a chance to finish second in the CCHA. The Spartans will play their final regular-season game Friday at 6 before playing at Bowling Green Saturday. The seniors will be honored prior to Friday's game.
The Spartans need just one point to secure a first-round bye in the CCHA playoffs. They would then host a quarterfinal series March 12-14.
Chips still in hunt for MAC West basketball title and first-round bye
Central Michigan still has an outside chance of winning the MAC West Division title and a first-round bye for the conference tournament with three games remaining.
The most important thing for the Chippewas is to not slip and lose two of the last games because they could then be starting the MAC tourney on the road in a first-round game.
That's how close things are in the MAC with the tournament set to get underway Sunday, March 7 at campus sites. The quarterfinals, semifinals and title game will be played at Quicken Loans Arena March 11-13.
CMU (13-13, 7-6) currently trails Ball State (15-11, 8-5) by a game in the MAC West. The Cardinals are one of the MAC's hottest teams, winning three straight and seven of their last nine.
CMU plays at Northern Illinois (8-18, 4-9) tonight, then hosts slumping WMU (14-13, 6-7) - losers of six of its last nine games - Saturday at noon before finishing the regular season at Eastern Michigan (14-13, 6-7) March 4.
A CMU win at Northern Illinois tonight, coupled with an EMU win at Ball State could make things interesting.
The top teams in each division get automatic byes for first-round games with the next two teams also receiving byes. Teams in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place will then host first-round games.
Speaking of interesting, a blog in Chicagonow.com last month had Detroit head coach Ray McCallum as a possible candidate for the head job at DePaul which will be filled after the season.
DePaul competes in the Big East and is need of talent to play with the big boys, Syracuse, Villanova, Georgetown, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Connecticut, not to mention Notre Dame.
Wouldn't it be interesting if DePaul goes after McCallum and McCallum looks to CMU head coach Ernie Zeigler as his associate head coach?
Sure, it's a stretch to think that could happen, but then again ... DePaul certainly would be a major player with McCallum and Zeigler bringing their sons, Ray McCallum Jr. and Trey Zeigler with them.
But, for now Zeigler has the stretch run to focus on. You can bet he will be doing everything possible to enter the MAC tournament with some momentum. The Chips haven't had a winning season since they won the MAC title in 2003 and advanced to the second-round of the NCAA tournament.
MSU women's basketball team playing like top-20 team
Sportswriters across the nation covering women's basketball are either not doing their homework or simply don't respect Michigan State's program.
While slumping teams like Oklahoma State, Georgia, LSU and Georgia Tech are still ranked, the Spartans are nowhwere to be found in the latest Associated Press poll despite winning eight of their last nine games.
That's right. The Spartans are definitely not only a top-25 team, but a top-20 team. They proved that with their recent run which was capped off Sunday with a 71-68 overtime win at No. 7 Ohio State.
MSU's three-game slump which left the Spartans at 11-7 overall and 2-5 in the Big Ten is just a distant memory. They are no longer blowing leads, but instead coming back to earn victories to put them in second place in the Big Ten.
The Spartans were picked by the league coaches to finish second, behind Ohio State. They are now 19-8 overall, 10-6 in the conference. MSU plays at Purdue (14-13, 9-7) Thursday before ending the regular season at home Sunday against Minnesota (13-14, 6-10).
MSU has a legitimate chance to win the Big Ten tournament which gets underway March 4 in Indianapolis. The Spartans' win over Ohio State was no fluke. They also own a win over No. 6 Xavier this season.
Why should the Spartans be ranked? Well, for one they have an RPI of 16, better than Georgia (No. 23), Georgia Tech (No. 27) and LSU (28).
Oklahoma State (18-8, 6-6 Big 12) has an RPI of 15, but suffered a loss to MSU (93-90 overtime) and has lost five straight. Still, Oklahoma State is ranked No. 23.
Georgia (20-7, 7-7 SEC) is ranked No. 24 despite losing six of its last eight. LSU (18-7, 7-6 SEC) is ranked No. 20 despite splitting its last eight. Georgia Tech (21-7, 7-5 ACC) is No. 22 despite losing two of its last three.
Don't expect MSU coach Suzy Merchant to be bothered by the lack of respect in the rankings. She is just happy the Spartans are playing well heading into March. And, that's how her mindset should be. Still, the Spartans are playing like a top-20 team. They should be fun to watch in the weeks ahead.
Borseth, Michigan women's basketball team face big games
Kevin Borseth faces his biggest week as head women's basketball coach at Michigan.
The Wolverines, who have an RPI of 43, play at Penn State tonight before hosting Wisconsin (18-7, 8-6)Sunday.
Michigan (14-10, 6-8) is in the NCAA tournament's 64-team field in the latest ESPN Bracketology. The Wolverines are one of the last four teams in the field according to the website. Of course, things could change with a loss to Penn State or Wisconsin.
The Wolverines are currently in the field over Penn State (15-10, 7-8). They beat the Nittany Lions 66-62 at Crisler Arena Jan. 31, but have lost the last seven games at Penn State.
Michigan earned a spot in the WNIT in Borseth's first season in 2008, but won just 10 games last year.
The Wolverines will finish their regular season at Minnesota Thursday and at home against Purdue Feb. 28 before competing in the Big Ten tournament March 4.
