ESPN.com ESPN.com asked Beth Mowins to break down the Midwest Region and predict which team would reach the Final Four. Here's how ESPN's play-by-play announcer answered our five questions:
1. Can Louisiana Tech pull off another win if Tamicha Jackson or Betty Lennox struggle offensively? Yes. Even though the Lady Techsters barely edged Vanderbilt in the second round, that win proved Tech can have a much more balanced attack. With Lennox scoring just five points, the Lady Techsters had to get production inside, and Ayana Walker did that. The key for Louisiana Tech, however, is for Jackson and Lennox to get other people established early before they look for their own shot. Then, once the inside game gets going, the Lady Techsters can open it up by kicking it back out to Tamicha and Betty. 2. Old Dominion has had a limited roster all season, and just eight players have seen considerable playing time over the last two games. Will the Lady Monarchs' lack of a bench hurt them against the speedy, run-and-gun offense of Louisiana Tech?At this point of the year, players need to be able to play 40 minutes and run up and down the floor without getting winded. This is tournament time and it shouldn't be a factor. Where it might have an effect is on Lucienne Berthieu. Since she just came back from an injury, she is going to need some help up front off the bench. 3. Will Iowa State senior Stacy Frese win the anticipated backcourt matchup as the Cyclones take on Penn State? Both backcourts are great, but Frese and Penn State's Helen Darling might cancel each other out. Same goes for Penn State's Andrea Garner and (ISU's) Angie Welle. All four of them may be fantastic, but this game might come down to the 3-point shooting of (ISU's) Megan Taylor or (PSU's) Lisa Shepherd. Or, does (PSU's) Maren Walseth get the better of (ISU's) Desirée Francis or vice versa? I think the teams' third or fourth player is going to have some sort of a key in this one. 4. Iowa State advanced to the Elite Eight last year. Penn State lost in the second round. Will the Lady Lions' lack of NCAA Tournament experience, in terms of advancing deep into the tournament, hurt them?Historically, this is when Penn State has usually run into trouble in the tournament, but none of the players on the roster this year were around when that has happened. And now that they've come this far, there was probably more pressure for them to win their first two games. What happened last year probably won't be a factor.
5. Which Midwest team makes it to the Final Four? |
| ESPN.com: Help | Advertiser Info | Contact Us | Tools | Site Map | Jobs at ESPN.com Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. |  |
