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WBB off to Ames, IA - Spiny_Norman - 03-17-2014

Stanford seeded #2 in Stanford regional (the other U.S.C., South Carolina is #1). 

Stanford vs. 15 seed South Dakota on Saturday in Ames, IA.  Other half of the bracket is 7 seed Iowa State vs. 10 seed Florida State.

It will be a tough road for the Cardinal to make it back to Maples for the regional.

Bracket being revealed here - http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/tournament/bracket

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - Viking_Guy - 03-17-2014

Add to possibly playing Iowa State on their homecourt in the second round, South Dakota is all of 216 miles away - closer to their campus than LA is to Stanford.

The LA subregional?  Nebraska, North Carolina State, BYU and Fresno State.  Wow, that makes geographic sense.

OTOH, that's what losing to UW and the Toejams will get you.

There go my faint notions of all-night drives to see the games.

VG


Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - Griffins78 - 03-17-2014

Cal is a 7 seed. And 'SC, Oregon State, and Arizona State are all 9 seeds

Major disrespect for Pac-12 and therefore, Stanford slides too. South Carolina? only thing we can do is beat them to prove our point.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - M T - 03-17-2014

When I told a colleague, after her comment about "Aren't they supposed to do it by RPI?" was the comment, "Oh, well, I guess they reward teams for finishing the season strong."    Uh... South Carolina lost 2 of their last 3 games.

I have to say I'm also surprised that they give a #1 pick to So. Carolina and then send them to Seattle for the first round!

Hmm... I know someone with a seat at Maples right behind the cross-court announcers.  What signs can we think of?
[b]   RIP, RPI
    - Selection committee

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 81alum - 03-17-2014

In some ways, being seeded 2 in our own regional is an advantage.  When we were seeded 2 to Maryland in Candice's senior year we used that "slight" to fuel us and walloped them in Spokane.  And if we win through to the sweet 16 and elite eight we will be playing at home.  What difference would it make if we were a 1 seed playing South Carolina as a 2 seed or vice versa at home?  No, I am not terribly broken up about the 2 seed in that regard.

The true costs of the 2 seed though is that we are being sent to Ames Iowa.  Since Iowa State is a 7 and has to play at home, they have to play a 2.  With Duke and Baylor as 2s locked in close to home that meant that the remaining 2s  West Virginia and Stanford had to travel since the remaining 7s are both hosting--Iowa State and LSU.  Once we were a #2 we had to go to either Iowa or to Baton Rouge.

In the first round we have the South Dakota State Coyotes, who we played in Mexico.  That is a blessing that we already know them somewhat. 

But to atone for losing to Washington and SC we will almost certainly have to defeat Iowa State on its home court.  If we can do that, then it is back to Maples where we could play Penn State and South Carolina.  Both of those teams are tough draws.  South Carolina came within a couple points of defeating us last year, and Dawn Staley knows Tara and her system inside and out.

I think the selection committee simply decided that it was no longer going to concede anything to Stanford's reputation, and that we would really have to prove ourselves.  No benefit of the doubt this year--maybe because we are hosting a regional, something that won't be allowed again.  After all, we can't really complain that much about Iowa State having a home court advantage when we will be playing to create a similar advantage for ourselves.  And how humiliating if we lost in Iowa and did not get to play in our own regional. 

And, dare I say it, Charlie Creme was once again proven to be a true friend of Stanford--he overestimated our seeding and location as per usual.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 76lsjumb - 03-17-2014

(03-17-2014, 05:13 PM)81alum link Wrote:In the first round we have the South Dakota State Coyotes, who we played in Mexico.  That is a blessing that we already know them somewhat. 

***

And, dare I say it, Charlie Creme was once again proven to be a true friend of Stanford--he overestimated our seeding and location as per usual.

I may be wrong, but I think you've got your Coyotes and your Jackrabbits mixed up...

You're right about Charlie Creme, though.  Apparently we've got a lot more capital with him than with the Committee.

Looks like [if we get there] Iowa State likes to jack up the 3 early and often.  I sure hope we don't decide to play our "defend the paint and give up the 3" defense...or, if we do, I sure hope ISU has trouble with the rims.  Oh, wait a minute..., they're playing at home.  :(

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - Viking_Guy - 03-17-2014

81A-

We are playing the University of South Dakota Coyotes (winners of the Summit League); we played the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Mexico.  South Dakota also played at Iowa State in the beginning of the year (losing by 16 after being tied with 8 minutes left), so they have some familiarity with the venue.  And, as I said, it's all of a three hour drive away from their campus.  I'm betting there will be quite a few Coyotes fans there.

As for the 2-7 thing, the committee can move people up or down a line (at least) to make the geographical pairings work.  I think the more constraining factor was that three of the 3 seeds are hosting - TAMU, Penn State and Kentucky.

I do think attendance in Seattle and LA is going to be pathetic, which will reinforce the whole "women's basketball isn't supported on the West Coast" meme.

VG


Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 81alum - 03-17-2014

(03-17-2014, 05:29 PM)Viking_Guy link Wrote:We are playing the University of South Dakota Coyotes (winners of the Summit League); we played the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Mexico. 
Egad!  Who knew there were so many WBB teams in a state that has a population less than the city of San Jose!

These are going to be a tough couple of rounds.  And if we come home we are going to have very serious competition.  This is certainly not an easy pathway.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - chimera - 03-17-2014

Wow I am stunned they shipped us to Iowa.  Shows what little I know.  I thought no way we are not in Seattle or LA no matter the seed.  Absolutely against what they are supposed to be doing as far as getting butts in the seats for sites for one thing.

A.  I think the committee gave us the finger. Losing the #1 seed was punishment enough for losing to UW and USC.  It's not like they let other west coast teams stay near home.  They sent USC away also so the nearest team that got LA is Fresno State and what did they do to deserve that?  The Seattle teams are all from far off except Oregon State.  They even sent Gonzaga away.  They certainly gave the finger to the west coast host sites. 

B.  Not sure I can blame the committee over the #1 seed.  UW and USC were bad late season losses.  I don't think South Carolina did that much to deserve it but we made our own bed...

C.  I like our draw anyway.  Don't love playing at ISU but if we can't beat them even at their place, we aren't going far anyway.  And if we do beat them, I think getting PSU is a great draw considering who else was possible.  South Carolina is just fine as our #1 seed also.  Wouldn't be easy but no team at the point would be.

D.  The conference got 3 seeds of death - three teams are in that deadly 8/9 spot (USC, ASU, and OSU).  Much better to be a 10 or 11 where at least if you win your first game you have a shot at the second one.

E.  South Carolina may have gotten the #1 seed but they got the finger in a way too, getting sent to Seattle.  They will have to stay out west for a long while or make two long trips.  Does anyone think they are happy to go that far away?

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - terry - 03-17-2014

(03-17-2014, 04:45 PM)Viking_Guy link Wrote:Add to possibly playing Iowa State on their homecourt in the second round, South Dakota is all of 216 miles away - closer to their campus than LA is to Stanford.

If Stanford can't beat S. Dakota and Iowa State any time, any where, in front of any crowd, then we deserve to be bounced out of this tournament. No excuses. Just play basketball.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 81alum - 03-17-2014

Taylor Greenfield lives 10 minutes away from Iowa State's campus, and will have family present.  Bonnie reports that the team is "fired up" and has something to prove.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnMOVB4HW78&list=PLB8AF6966085FF2EA

One other little misery about being sent to Iowa.  This is finals week.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 81alum - 03-17-2014

(03-17-2014, 05:26 PM)76lsjumb link Wrote:Looks like [if we get there] Iowa State likes to jack up the 3 early and often.  I sure hope we don't decide to play our "defend the paint and give up the 3" defense...or, if we do, I sure hope ISU has trouble with the rims.  Oh, wait a minute..., they're playing at home.  :(
Yes, indeed.  We have taken 557 three point shots this year, hitting 37%, and have only one person who has attempted more than 100.
Iowa State has attempted 798 three point shots this year, hitting 34%, with four players who have each attempted more than 100.  I would not be surprised to discover that they are shooting much better than 34% at home, which is where we will play them.

Their coach Bill Fennelly recruits and coaches for three point shooting--that has always been his hallmark. 
One happy memory--we played them in an Elite Eight game in 2009 and Jayne set her record by making 46 points.  Let's hope Chiney scores 48!
One unhappy thought--Iowa State frequently sells out its 10,000 seat arena.  When it played (and lost) to Baylor two weeks ago they had 10,500 in attendance.  This is not the kind of "home court advantage" that is anything like a typical Pac12 away game.  This will feel more like going to Connecticut or Tennessee. 



Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - CompSci87 - 03-17-2014

Great interview! Thanks for linking it.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - M T - 03-17-2014

(03-17-2014, 05:36 PM)terry link Wrote:If Stanford can't beat S. Dakota [19-13] and Iowa State[20-10] any time, any where, in front of any crowd, then we deserve to be bounced out of this tournament. No excuses. Just play basketball.

I expect last year's men's #2 seed Georgetown (25-6) felt that way about #15 seed Florida Gulf Coast (24-10).

The #1 seed plays (if all goes by seeding) #16, #8, #4  while the #2 seed plays #15, #7, #3.  Each of those games against higher seeds gives a slightly higher probability of an upset.


Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - M T - 03-18-2014

Charlie Creme discusses the "puzzling decision" by the selection committee to put South Carolina as a #1 seed rather than the Cardinal.
  http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/tournament/2014/story/_/id/10624590/women-ncaa-tournament-2014-making-sense-women-bracket


Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 81alum - 03-18-2014

(03-18-2014, 01:02 AM)MT link Wrote:Charlie Creme discusses the "puzzling decision" by the selection committee to put South Carolina as a #1 seed rather than the Cardinal.
  http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/tournament/2014/story/_/id/10624590/women-ncaa-tournament-2014-making-sense-women-bracket
Thanks, MT.  The way Charlie describes it this decision was completely irrational.  In addition to feeling angry over it, I am frankly curious as to why they did it.  It probably would have been better for South Carolina, too, not to have to travel 3000 miles to Seattle.

If we survive the 10480 screaming Iowa State fans (and 20 friends and family of Taylor Greenfield!) then this will become moot.  I sure hope it becomes moot.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - Farm93 - 03-18-2014

South Carolina is from the SEC, and their schedule was probably loaded with road games no more than a few hundred miles from home since there are many programs from the ACC and the SEC nearby.

Now they need to fly all the way to Seattle.  Will they go back to South Carolina for the week to attend classes?  If yes, they would be signing up for 2 very long road trips.  If the seeds hold Stanford would play a team that flew from South Carolina to Seattle then back to South Carolina only to fly out to SJC/SFO a few days later.  Ignore the #2 or #1 question.  THAT is not ideal, and I would have to think it will turn into a big advantage for Stanford.

BTW - Alternatively they could elect to miss class and stay on the West Coast but that would mean hotel living for several days, and that is not much better.

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - 81alum - 03-18-2014

(03-18-2014, 06:34 AM)Farm93 link Wrote:South Carolina is from the SEC, and their schedule was probably loaded with road games no more than a few hundred miles from home since there are many programs from the ACC and the SEC nearby.

Now they need to fly all the way to Seattle.  Will they go back to South Carolina for the week to attend classes?  If yes, they would be signing up for 2 very long road trips.  If the seeds hold Stanford would play a team that flew from South Carolina to Seattle then back to South Carolina only to fly out to SJC/SFO a few days later.  Ignore the #2 or #1 question.  THAT is not ideal, and I would have to think it will turn into a big advantage for Stanford.

BTW - Alternatively they could elect to miss class and stay on the West Coast but that would mean hotel living for several days, and that is not much better.
Yes, I agree with that analysis, which is why Stanford and South Carolina should have been reverse and they should have gone to Iowa rather than Seattle.  As for how this could play out at Maples--you could be correct and we might have a decisive advantage over South Carolina in the even that both we and they win our first three games.

But I am much, much, much more worried about surviving Iowa State just now.  Beating South Carolina at Maples could frankly be easier than beating Iowa State in Ames--regardless of rankings.  But I would count our odds of both getting to that game as no better than 50/50 at this point.  We will probably have to beat Penn State, too, which is probably better than our competition in the Pac 12.  And I wonder if Oregon State might surprise some people and knock off South Carolina,or maybe North Carolina will--as they already have this year.  No, a South Carolina/Stanford match up is a bit iffy.  But I would love it if it happens, since it would mean we got one game further along than last year. 

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - PrinceLightfoot - 03-18-2014

(03-18-2014, 06:13 AM)81alum link Wrote:If we survive the 10480 screaming Iowa State fans (and 20 friends and family of Taylor Greenfield!) then this will become moot.  I sure hope it becomes moot.

I will do my best to drown out the sound of all opposing teams' fans (and my close ISU friends) this weekend in Ames. Go Cardinal!

Re: WBB off to Ames, IA - FarmBoy - 03-18-2014

Quote:I will do my best to drown out the sound of all opposing teams' fans (and my close ISU friends) this weekend in Ames. Go Cardinal!

It's hard to "drown out" fan noise except via additional noise, which would seem to defeat your goal... It's always fun to be a "voice in the wilderness" at a biased venue.

Has anyone considered developing noise cancellation devices for athletes? It would be like the noise cancellation in your blue tooth headset that removes the sound of your car engine from what's transmitted and only gets your voice. Surely, some enterprising Stanford Product Development engineer can get on this ASAP...