THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 8, 1995 TAG: 9503080650
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Old Dominion coach Wendy Larry has a request for anyone speculating about a possible rematch between her Lady Monarchs and James Madison in Saturday's conference championship game: Don't mention it to her players.
Both teams finished 13-1 in Colonial Athletic Association play, each handing the other its only defeat. JMU avenged a four-point loss to the Lady Monarchs in the conference opener with an 87-80 victory Feb. 19 in Harrisonburg and is the only team that can match up with ODU, player-for-player.
All of which makes for a highly anticipated showdown, should the tournament's top two seeds advance through the bracket as expected.
Larry would like to remind everyone that two other teams will have first crack at the Lady Monarchs, so it's imperative her players maintain the correct focus.
But when you've beaten every other team by an average of 25 points, sometimes it's hard to keep your mind from wandering.
``It wouldn't be so hard if everyone else wasn't talking about (a rematch),'' Larry said. ``Sometimes it's very difficult for (the players) not to believe what they're hearing or reading.''
Although they are the second seed, the Lady Monarchs might have an easier road to the championship.
UNC Wilmington, a team with only seven players on the roster, is first up for ODU. In the semifinals, the Lady Monarchs could face a team with just three conference wins during the regular season, should William and Mary upset third-seeded George Mason.
If James Madison defeats East Carolina on Thursday, it will face either American or Richmond in the semis, both of which finished the regular season 7-7 in the CAA.
When it comes right down to it, Larry and her players care little about facing the Dukes again.
It's not the opponent in the final that really matters, it's the outcome.
Old Dominion has won the last three CAA titles, along with the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. A win Saturday would assure the Lady Monarchs of a return trip to postseason play. A loss means ODU must hold its breath and hope for an at-large bid to the field of 64.
``We've got some good wins, but there's no guarantees. Too many things have to fall in line for that to happen,'' Larry said of an at-large bid.
``I don't want to take that chance. I want to invite ourselves to the dance and not have to worry about someone else making that decision.'' by CNB