And it's bye, bye, American Pie. I remember that day well in 1959. That surely dates me, but my picture is here for all to see. And it's a better title than
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", or the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame. Yeah I'm rambling, rolling over in self pity, saddened by the end of the season for the wonderful Stanford Women's Basketball team.
When I was a Little League President. I went to a new Manager's Team Meeting. He was managing a Major Boys team, ages 10-12. He said, "the season ends with a loss for every single team but one, so enjoy the ride, not thinking of that final loss". OK how about a 29-5 season, a Pac 10 Title going 17-1, the Pac 10 Tournament Championship. That's pretty heady stuff. Got us to # 5 in the country and a solid 2 seed. Quite a ride, indeed.
To our four great Srs, thank you for that ride, and the three Elite Eight's that preceeded it. To Tara and her coaches, to our support staff, thank you for the ride. To the parents of the 14 players who lead the ride. A rough night I'm sure, and some rough days ahead. Think about that one, the parents who are the biggest fans of all, who must give so much praise and encourgement while cancelling travel plans.
Good bye, Kish. From Manager to scholarship player, thank you.
To Bode, who gave an extra year of her life for the dream of playing in a Final Four.
And New, I'll remember that baseline drive at the end. Where did that come from? Shear desire.
And to a truely special player, thank you Brooke. You gave so much of yourself, with so much skill. But your emotion is what made you special to us.
Thank you all. It was a great season, and your futures are so bright.
March 20, 2007
March 13, 2007
Let the Fun Begin
The Stanford Cardinal got the Seed they hoped for, and the Regional they hoped for, with a # 2 seed and the Fresno Regional. The stars are now aligned.
We start at Maples on Saturday, March 17th. The first game will be Old Dominion vs Florida State. ODU brings a 24-8 record and is the # 7 seed in the Fresno Section,. while Florida State is 22-9 on the season and the # 10 seed.
Our game against Idaho State will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Idaho State has a 17-13 record. If we win this game, we face the winner of the 11AM game on Monday.
The Fresno Sweet Sixteen will begin Saturday, March 24 and conclude Monday, March 26. LSU is the # 3 seed, and UConn is the # 1 seed. No need to talk about Fresno anymore, we need two wins at Maples first.
Other Pac 10 teams in the Dance are Arizona State, Cal and Washington.
ASU is the # 3 seed in the Greensboro Region. They will start in LA against UC Riverside, the # 14 seed with a 21-10 record. If the Sun Devils win, they face the winner of the Louisville- BYU game. Louisville is the # 6 seed with a 26-7 record, while BYU at 23-9 is the # 11 Seed. The top seeds in this Regional are Duke at # 1 and Vanderbuilt at # 2. If ASU wins in LA and Vandy is not upset, I believe ASU has a great chance to advance to the Elite Eight.
Cal is the # 8 seed in the Dallas Region. They start with # 9 seed Notre Dame with a 19-11 record. Of course, as we know, the winner of the 8 vs 9 game gets the Regional's # 1 seed, in this case North Carolina. Hopefully Cal can at least face the Tar Heels.
The 4th Pac 10 team is # 11 seed Washington who are in the Dallas Region with Cal. Washington starts with # 6 seed Iowa State at 25-8. That's going to be a very tough game for the Huskies but if they succeed, then it's most likey # 3 seed Georgia.
With the Pod System, there will be 2 more games at Maples on Saturday with # 5 seed Middle Tennessee State against # 12 Gonzaga. This will be followed by # 4 Ohio State vs # 13 Marist.
I'm feeling for USC who went 17-13, had some tough close games with top 10 teams, hosts a 1st Round, and wasn't selected. On the Men's side, it appears the league tournament meant quite a bit. On the Women's side, USC beats Washington in the Tournament and Washington gets the bid. Of course more to it than that, but we know the Trojans are thinking just that.
Here's a link to the Women's NIT:
http://womensnit.com/index.htm
Only Oregon from the Pac 10 made it, maybe USC declined.
We start at Maples on Saturday, March 17th. The first game will be Old Dominion vs Florida State. ODU brings a 24-8 record and is the # 7 seed in the Fresno Section,. while Florida State is 22-9 on the season and the # 10 seed.
Our game against Idaho State will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Idaho State has a 17-13 record. If we win this game, we face the winner of the 11AM game on Monday.
The Fresno Sweet Sixteen will begin Saturday, March 24 and conclude Monday, March 26. LSU is the # 3 seed, and UConn is the # 1 seed. No need to talk about Fresno anymore, we need two wins at Maples first.
Other Pac 10 teams in the Dance are Arizona State, Cal and Washington.
ASU is the # 3 seed in the Greensboro Region. They will start in LA against UC Riverside, the # 14 seed with a 21-10 record. If the Sun Devils win, they face the winner of the Louisville- BYU game. Louisville is the # 6 seed with a 26-7 record, while BYU at 23-9 is the # 11 Seed. The top seeds in this Regional are Duke at # 1 and Vanderbuilt at # 2. If ASU wins in LA and Vandy is not upset, I believe ASU has a great chance to advance to the Elite Eight.
Cal is the # 8 seed in the Dallas Region. They start with # 9 seed Notre Dame with a 19-11 record. Of course, as we know, the winner of the 8 vs 9 game gets the Regional's # 1 seed, in this case North Carolina. Hopefully Cal can at least face the Tar Heels.
The 4th Pac 10 team is # 11 seed Washington who are in the Dallas Region with Cal. Washington starts with # 6 seed Iowa State at 25-8. That's going to be a very tough game for the Huskies but if they succeed, then it's most likey # 3 seed Georgia.
With the Pod System, there will be 2 more games at Maples on Saturday with # 5 seed Middle Tennessee State against # 12 Gonzaga. This will be followed by # 4 Ohio State vs # 13 Marist.
I'm feeling for USC who went 17-13, had some tough close games with top 10 teams, hosts a 1st Round, and wasn't selected. On the Men's side, it appears the league tournament meant quite a bit. On the Women's side, USC beats Washington in the Tournament and Washington gets the bid. Of course more to it than that, but we know the Trojans are thinking just that.
Here's a link to the Women's NIT:
http://womensnit.com/index.htm
Only Oregon from the Pac 10 made it, maybe USC declined.
March 6, 2007
PAC 10, Take a Dance Card
After all the "we may hold Candice out" talk, we win the Pac 10 Tournament because of Candice and almost certainly go in as a # 2 seed and should be the # 6 overall. We will join USC and Cal in the Dance, and maybe, they do host, USC. Washington? Will the Huskies lose out because USC is hosting? I think they will, but it depends on how the Conference Tournaments all play out. If the seeded teams win their Tournament, the Huskies have a chance. If a League that would normally send a single team to the Dance sends two, then it's NIT for the Huskies, and maybe Oregon gets into the NIT also.
Before the Dance two Coaches who have been on the Hot Seat could know their fate. Karen Olivier may have her contract extended once again, or their Fans could win out and UCLA starts looking for a replacement. I would guess no Cal tricks here, that a great recruiting class gives Kathy more years as the Bruin Head Coach.
On the other hand, June Daugherty at the University of Washington, has received no encouragement on her future, and she may be relieved of her duties at any time. That would be sad, not only is June a former Stanford Ass't, but a fine Head Coach. San Jose State is looking for a Head Coach and June would be an ideal person to build a program, if she would be willing to take a lessor job. She and husband Mike are a team, and some program will scoop them up if the new AD at Washington decides on another Head Coach.
For those who missed the All Pac 10 Tournament team, MVP was Candice, with Jayne Appel and Brooke Smith joining her on the honored team.
The announcement of the NCAA Dance Cards will be televised on ESPN on Monday, March 12 at 5PM. Maybe it's Old Pro time. At 6PM the Old Pro has the live Stanford Monday Night Show. Might have a player or two and coach or two. Learn we're going to who know's where and then Tara's reaction? Sounds like a great way to spend the evening. The show's guests have not been announced, but what could be better? I'll be there for the Selections.
Before the Dance two Coaches who have been on the Hot Seat could know their fate. Karen Olivier may have her contract extended once again, or their Fans could win out and UCLA starts looking for a replacement. I would guess no Cal tricks here, that a great recruiting class gives Kathy more years as the Bruin Head Coach.
On the other hand, June Daugherty at the University of Washington, has received no encouragement on her future, and she may be relieved of her duties at any time. That would be sad, not only is June a former Stanford Ass't, but a fine Head Coach. San Jose State is looking for a Head Coach and June would be an ideal person to build a program, if she would be willing to take a lessor job. She and husband Mike are a team, and some program will scoop them up if the new AD at Washington decides on another Head Coach.
For those who missed the All Pac 10 Tournament team, MVP was Candice, with Jayne Appel and Brooke Smith joining her on the honored team.
The announcement of the NCAA Dance Cards will be televised on ESPN on Monday, March 12 at 5PM. Maybe it's Old Pro time. At 6PM the Old Pro has the live Stanford Monday Night Show. Might have a player or two and coach or two. Learn we're going to who know's where and then Tara's reaction? Sounds like a great way to spend the evening. The show's guests have not been announced, but what could be better? I'll be there for the Selections.
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