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Reactions: National title Underdogs and favorites have equal chance, users sayPosted: Monday March 19, 2001 4:11 PMUpdated: Monday March 19, 2001 4:11 PM CNNSI.com users were asked if one of the favorites would win the national title or if there will there be a surprise champion. The answers were received were as varied as the number of teams in the tournament. A sample fo the responses we received follows: I'd love to see Baylor win over La. Tech in the final --- perfect "in your face" end to a year in which La. Tech & Leon Barmore treated Kim Mulkey-Robinson with no respect at all. On the other hand, my heart would really love to see Rutgers win over Georgia. Rutgers has the heart, and the Championship game is the logical progression for their fourth year, but can they stop Jackie Stiles on Monday? I truly think the Championship is up for grabs. Expect the unexpected!
The Irish will win. Strength inside, finest outside, unity, and coaching - the complete package.
Oklahoma will win the big dance because of their balanced scoring and dominant play of the starting five.
I really believe that the Mideast winner will be the national champion. I see either Texas Tech or Tennessee taking it all the way to the top. I really think Texas Tech will win it, but they are in what some would call a "rebuilding year" with five freshmen receiving playing time. I see the game between the Lady Raiders and the Lady Vols as the real national championship. Then maybe the three No. 2 seeds from the Big XII will be in the Final Four and we will see a conference playoff. Wreck Em Tech!
I would really like to see Penn State win it. They have had a bad season but I love their freshman Kelly Mazzante. She is awesome. But I really think that UCONN will win it again vs. Tennessee.
There is no obvious favorite. It will go to the team that plays the best basketball. Upsets will happen as the tourney progresses. Right now, I would say Notre Dame has the best chance with all the weapons they have -- Riley inside, Siemon with her hustle and never-die attitude, Ratay with her potent 3-point shooting, Ivey with her penetration and creating plays. I think the two losses they received are going to help them especially in the big games. However, the one thing that will prevent them from clinching the title is Riley's foul trouble, which she has been prone to in the past and has hurt the team while she is on the bench.
I would very much like to see UConn repeat and it would make a great story if they do repeat, especially with them facing adversity in a way no one ever wants to go through.
Connecticut, all the way! Now, to address all the nay-sayers out there: Yes, the Huskies have lost the on-court talents of both Shea and Svet, but their leadership goes further than that. They are the heart and soul of UConn, even while on the bench. Tonight's showing against LIU (can I even call it a showing?) is proof positive that Geno's bench and the remaining starters have more depth than most any two teams put together. And with Shea and Svet cheering them on, the Lady Huskies have all they need to win the Championship...and then some.
After all is said and done, the Final Four that will be left standing are UConn, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Rutgers. The first three are givens - total domination in their groups, while Rutgers is the only one who can 'hang' with the big guns. When all is said and done..... UConn will still be No. 1.
It's a matter of senior leadership and determination that will decide the winner of the tournament. And if you look at what you have out there, taking skills, senior leadership and coaching. There is only one team in my mind that deserves and has ability to win it all... IOWA STATE!
Good things come to those who work as hard as they have!
I think that the Tennessee Lady Vols will take this year's title. They have the depth and the desire, and with two of Uconn's stars out with injury, that takes away the biggest problem to the Vols. I think that the loss to UConn last year was a shock to everyone and they don't want that to happen again. They are ready for whatever can be thrown in their path and they will get to the top where they belong all over again!
I'd love to see Kay Yow take the Lady Wolfpack all the way this year. It's been much too long.
Despite the loss of Tamika Catchings, the Lady Vols and Pat Summit, the finest coach in the history of women's basketball, will take home "Lucky Seven". (Hear me, Lord?) Parity is gradually being established in women's basketball, a wonderful thing. Someday another coach may approach Summit's record, but it will take awhile. Unfortunately for Connecticut fans, who gloat when they win and whine when they lose, it's unlikely to be Auriemma.
The Xavier Lady Muskies will win it all this year. They have the best starting five in the country, with a point guard, Reetta Piipari, who leads the country in assists and who also is an awesome three-point shooter, two post players, Taru Tuukkanen and Jennifer Phillips, who average about 20 points per game, and two awesome guards, Jennifer Parr and Nicole Levandusky, who are devastating three-point shooters and defenders. In my mind, the game against Tennessee won't even be close; Xavier will dominate. So all you Lady Vols fans, watch out cause Xavier is coming for you.
Duke will win it all. No one gives them any respect especially the ESPN crew. Duke is a number one seed but in the eyes of most they are the underdog. Duke will be fighting for respect and this will give them the advantage in winning the NCAA Tournament.
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