The Women's Final Four

I played basketball in high school. I coached and officiated basketball for many years after graduating from college. I've seen the women's game grow from its early roots in the NAIA to the first NCAA Women's Final Four tournament that mirrored the men's Final Four. My first trip to a women's final four event was in 2000 when I traveled to Philadelphia, Pa. That year Michigan State's men's team was in the final four. This year, Michigan State's men's team was also in the final four. That is where the parallel ends as in 2000 MSU men's team won the national title and this years team lost to Butler in the semi-finals. While I cheer for the MSU men during basketball season (and their women as well), I prefer to root for Tennessee's women's basketball team. They had already exited this years tournament and the final four included Stanford, UConn, Oklahoma and Baylor. UConn were the favorites. Many of my friends and colleagues at work told me I was going to see who was going to finish second. While that was the general sentiment, one never knows what might happen on the basketball floor. While UConn put away Baylor in the first semi final match, they had to work harder than any other time during the season. Stanford beat Oklahoma in the second semi final match setting up a Stanford vs. UConn final. UConn had already beaten Stanford earlier this year. It was Stanford's only loss. Hope springs eternal. During the first half, Stanford led throughout most of the period. Stanford's fans were vocal and all those in the arena who were not UConn fans joined with the Stanford faithful. UConn shot a dismal 27 % from the floor in the 1st half. Stanford wasn't much better than 32 %, but that slight difference gave them the lead at half time. The beginning of the second half, Stanford went cold and suddenly UConn found their shooting touch that had alluded them through out the semi-final match and the first half of the finals. Five minutes into the second period, a basketball purist could tell that the momentum had swung to UConn and it was only a matter of time before the game would be tied. Final, UConn tied the game and within a minute had open up a lead they never relinquished. So, it is with basketball. It is a game of streaks. UConn finished 78-0 over two seasons. That is quite an accomplishment and I am glad I was there to witness it.