EDITOR’S NOTE: Lynx newcomer Lindsay Whalen, who led the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team to the 2004 Final Four, is breaking down this year’s NCAA tournament Minneapolis Regional, which begins today, for the Pioneer Press.
By Lindsay Whalen
Minnesota Lynx
The Minneapolis Regional features one of the best stories of the season in 30-1 and No. 4-ranked Nebraska, which will take on the Missouri Valley Conference tournament champion Northern Iowa Panthers in the No. 1-seed vs. No. 16-seed matchup. Williams Arena will also play host to a No. 8 vs. No. 9 matchup, with UCLA taking on North Carolina State.
Nebraska vs. Northern Iowa: I really like this Nebraska team. A year ago, no one had heard much about Nebraska women’s basketball. This year it seems that, other than UConn’s winning streak, everyone is talking about the incredible season the Huskers are having.
Senior leadership during the NCAA tournament becomes even more key than during the regular season. And Nebraska has a great senior and future WNBA first-round pick in Kelsey Griffin. Averaging more than 20 points per game just one season off reconstructive ankle surgery is impressive, to say the least.
In addition to Griffin, Cannon Falls, Minn., native Cory Montgomery is averaging just under 13 points per game. She can step out and shoot the three.
I don’t see Nebraska having any problems in this game. The team is 30-1, with its one loss coming in the Big 12 Conference tournament to a very good Texas AM team.
Nebraska will face a scrappy Northern Iowa team (17-15) that has won 10 of 13 games coming into the tournament, including knocking off the top two teams in its conference to make an improbable run to the NCAA tournament. The Panthers beat Creighton by one point, 54-53, in the final.
For this matchup, I have the No. 1 seed Nebraska moving through pretty easily.
UCLA vs. North Carolina State: After finishing .500 in the regular season of the ACC, North Carolina State made a terrific run in the conference tournament before losing to Duke in the championship game. N.C. State has a balanced scoring attack, with three players averaging at least 10.5 points a game.
UCLA, meanwhile, comes in having won 10 of 11 games. It all starts on the defensive end for the Bruins, who are giving up just 56.8 points a game. Add go-to forward Jasmine Dixon, who is averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds a game, and I think UCLA has the better team and will advance into the second round to face Nebraska.
UCLA vs. Nebraska: UCLA will try to slow down Nebraska’s offensive attack with its great defense, but overall, with the senior leadership and confidence the Huskers have been playing with all season, I have Nebraska coming out of the Minneapolis Regional.
Should be some great action over at Williams Arena this weekend and early next week.
Let the games begin!
