Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 15, 1993 TAG: 9303150025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CAVALIERS' ROAD TO ATLANTA GOES THROUGH VIRGINIA
Virginia was put in a position Sunday in which it could qualify for a fourth consecutive NCAA women's basketball Final Four without leaving the state.The Cavaliers (24-5) were seeded second in the East Region and will receive a bye before playing the winner of Wednesday night's first-round game between Bowling Green (25-4) and Florida (18-9).
"I thought, after winning the ACC championship, we would have a good chance at the No. 2 seed and an outside shot at No. 1," said Ryan, whose team has won 10 games in a row and 13 of 14.
If Virginia can win its first game, the Cavaliers will advance to the region semifinals at the Richmond Coliseum. If form holds, UVa would play third-seeded Penn State, coached by longtime Ryan friend Rene Portland.
The No. 1 seed in the East is Ohio State, which defeated Virginia 91-84 in early January before a crowd of 9,177 in Columbus, Ohio.
"I think it's a fairly formidable bracket," said Ryan, who is going to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th straight year. "When there's a team in the bracket that's already beaten you, it always poses a threat."
Seeded fourth is Western Kentucky, which reached the NCAA final last year before losing to Stanford.
Virginia is one of five ACC teams in the field, three of them seeded - UVa, Maryland and North Carolina. They will be joined by Clemson and Georgia Tech.
"I think we're finally getting recognition for parity and strength of schedule," Ryan said. "Georgia Tech getting in with 16 wins is a real credit to our conference."
Defending champion Stanford, top-ranked Vanderbilt and Tennessee drew the other No. 1 seeds Sunday. Stanford was seeded No. 1 in the West. Tennessee, which has split the past four titles with Stanford, was seeded No. 1 in the Mideast Regional; the Volunteers were made an at-large entry when Vanderbilt won the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid.
This may be the last 48-team women's tournament. It is expected to expand to 64 teams next year, matching the men's tournament.
Tennessee and Louisiana Tech are making their 12th straight appearances in the tournament. Georgia, Penn State and Texas are making their 11th appearances.
The women's semifinals are in Atlanta on April 3, with the East and Mideast champions meeting in one game and the Midwest and West winners meeting in the other. The championship game is April 4.
The Associated Press contributed information for this story.