Spring Break
Lady Dogs get 'home' game in NCAA Tournament first round
RYNE DENNIS
Issue date: 3/20/09 Section: Sports
During the same week as St. Patrick's Day, the Georgia women's basketball team might have found its four-leaf clover.
The Lady Bulldogs weren't just lucky enough to get into the NCAA Tournament, but essentially will be playing a home game as they host the first two rounds at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Georgia, the No. 11 seed in the Trenton Region, will face No. 6 Arizona State at noon Saturday.
"There was a general understanding that, if you made the tournament and if you were hosting, that you would be assigned to that site," Georgia coach Andy Landers said. "Obviously we will be more acclimated to the time and temperature than Arizona State."
With the bid, Georgia moves into second place in all-time tournament appearances, as it has danced in 26 of the 28 tournaments. It is also its 15 straight appearance, dating back to the 1994-95 squad that went to the Final Four.
Georgia will face an ASU team that had a 15-game winning streak during the season before losing to powerhouse Stanford in the regular season finale and Southern California in the Pacific-10 tournament.
The Lady Dogs are 1-3 all time against the Sun Devils and despite the 3,000 mile trip for ASU, Landers doesn't think the trip will effect them.
"[ASU] is a team that literally subs five in and five out," Landers said. "They play a lot of people a lot of minutes."
Still, Georgia is excited to be playing host in a place so close to Athens. The Lady Dogs are 5-1 all time at the Arena and notched a 67-50 victory over Clemson earlier this season.
"We're definitely grateful, especially playing in front of a home crowd," junior Ashley Houts said. "That's going to be a big advantage, and I know we're going to bring a lot of people, so we're definitely excited about that."
For senior Danielle Taylor, Saturday's game could represent her last in a Georgia uniform. But for now she's just thrilled to have another chance to play in the NCAA Tournament before her collegiate career is finished.
"It's an opportunity for us to say thank you," she said. "As the lone senior, to have another chance to go to the tournament is an opportunity and a privilege to go [to the tournament] again."
The Lady Bulldogs weren't just lucky enough to get into the NCAA Tournament, but essentially will be playing a home game as they host the first two rounds at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Georgia, the No. 11 seed in the Trenton Region, will face No. 6 Arizona State at noon Saturday.
"There was a general understanding that, if you made the tournament and if you were hosting, that you would be assigned to that site," Georgia coach Andy Landers said. "Obviously we will be more acclimated to the time and temperature than Arizona State."
With the bid, Georgia moves into second place in all-time tournament appearances, as it has danced in 26 of the 28 tournaments. It is also its 15 straight appearance, dating back to the 1994-95 squad that went to the Final Four.
Georgia will face an ASU team that had a 15-game winning streak during the season before losing to powerhouse Stanford in the regular season finale and Southern California in the Pacific-10 tournament.
The Lady Dogs are 1-3 all time against the Sun Devils and despite the 3,000 mile trip for ASU, Landers doesn't think the trip will effect them.
"[ASU] is a team that literally subs five in and five out," Landers said. "They play a lot of people a lot of minutes."
Still, Georgia is excited to be playing host in a place so close to Athens. The Lady Dogs are 5-1 all time at the Arena and notched a 67-50 victory over Clemson earlier this season.
"We're definitely grateful, especially playing in front of a home crowd," junior Ashley Houts said. "That's going to be a big advantage, and I know we're going to bring a lot of people, so we're definitely excited about that."
For senior Danielle Taylor, Saturday's game could represent her last in a Georgia uniform. But for now she's just thrilled to have another chance to play in the NCAA Tournament before her collegiate career is finished.
"It's an opportunity for us to say thank you," she said. "As the lone senior, to have another chance to go to the tournament is an opportunity and a privilege to go [to the tournament] again."
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Elizabeth
posted 3/20/09 @ 1:05 PM EST
Finally, an article about the Women's Basketball team. I've been disappointed with the lack of support from the Red and Black concerning the upcoming tournament and the Lady Dogs. (Continued…)
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