SYRACUSE - More than a week after they lost in the first round of the Big East tournament, the Syracuse women's basketball team found out Monday night that their season isn't over yet.
Syracuse (22-8) was installed as the seventh seed in the Oklahoma City Regional of the NCAA women's tournament and will play 10th-seeded Hartford (27-6) in the opening round. They play Saturday at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La., with the winner facing either Texas A&M or Texas-San Antonio.
Crowded close together on couches in a TV room at Manley Field House, the Syracuse players watched the hourlong selection show waiting to hear Syracuse called. And the wait wasn't easy - nearly three-quarters of the field had been revealed by the time the Orange were announced.
“They went through two whole regions,” freshman guard Erica Morrow said. “I was getting a little nervous. There were still two regions left, but our name hadn't been called yet. It's just nerve-racking not hearing your name being called when other teams from the Big East are being called.”
This is the fourth time the program has made the NCAA tournament and the first time in six years. Ironically, when the Syracuse women made it in 2002, the men's team didn't, and the same thing happened this year.
“We understand the NCAA tournament is a big stage,” Morrow said. “Only the best 64 teams in the country are chosen. Just to be one of those 64 is just great. We worked so hard all year.”
In his second year as head coach, Quentin Hillsman has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. The Orange were 9-20 and 3-13 in the Big East in Hillsman's rookie season.
“It's crazy, just to have a turnaround this quickly,” Hillsman said. “To move into the NCAA tournament is just so gratifying for all of us. When you're recruiting, you tell them about the NCAA tournament, about playing in the postseason and winning championships. This is the first step.”
The next step is winning a game in the tournament, something the program has never done.
The signs have been in place all season that this team was different, though.
Syracuse began the season 13-1, won a school-record 12 in a row before losing at Big East rival Pittsburgh, and attained the first national ranking in school history.
There were stumbles late in the season - losses to Georgetown and Providence - that dropped the Orange just outside the Top 25.
But they regrouped and stunned then-No. 14 West Virginia 73-51 in the season finale in the Carrier Dome before being upset by South Florida in the Big East tournament.
“These kids hung in there. I love these girls,” Hillsman said. “They're going to give me all they have night in and night out. For them to come to work every day, I was tough on them, and for them to not cave in is just remarkable.”
Smiling broadly, Hillsman went around the room and gave everybody a hug before heading to his office to begin preparing for Hartford.
After the long layoff, everybody seemed to be chomping at the bit to start practicing again.
“I just can't wait to get back on the court,” Goodwin said. “I'm just so happy right now. I have no words. I thought it was going to take years and years (for the program to become successful).”
Blog on it
Orange fans, be sure to check out the Orange Slices blog at auburnpub.com/blogs for lively commentary on the SU athletics scene.
Crowded close together on couches in a TV room at Manley Field House, the Syracuse players watched the hourlong selection show waiting to hear Syracuse called. And the wait wasn't easy - nearly three-quarters of the field had been revealed by the time the Orange were announced.
“They went through two whole regions,” freshman guard Erica Morrow said. “I was getting a little nervous. There were still two regions left, but our name hadn't been called yet. It's just nerve-racking not hearing your name being called when other teams from the Big East are being called.”
This is the fourth time the program has made the NCAA tournament and the first time in six years. Ironically, when the Syracuse women made it in 2002, the men's team didn't, and the same thing happened this year.
“We understand the NCAA tournament is a big stage,” Morrow said. “Only the best 64 teams in the country are chosen. Just to be one of those 64 is just great. We worked so hard all year.”
In his second year as head coach, Quentin Hillsman has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. The Orange were 9-20 and 3-13 in the Big East in Hillsman's rookie season.
“It's crazy, just to have a turnaround this quickly,” Hillsman said. “To move into the NCAA tournament is just so gratifying for all of us. When you're recruiting, you tell them about the NCAA tournament, about playing in the postseason and winning championships. This is the first step.”
The next step is winning a game in the tournament, something the program has never done.
The signs have been in place all season that this team was different, though.
Syracuse began the season 13-1, won a school-record 12 in a row before losing at Big East rival Pittsburgh, and attained the first national ranking in school history.
There were stumbles late in the season - losses to Georgetown and Providence - that dropped the Orange just outside the Top 25.
But they regrouped and stunned then-No. 14 West Virginia 73-51 in the season finale in the Carrier Dome before being upset by South Florida in the Big East tournament.
“These kids hung in there. I love these girls,” Hillsman said. “They're going to give me all they have night in and night out. For them to come to work every day, I was tough on them, and for them to not cave in is just remarkable.”
Smiling broadly, Hillsman went around the room and gave everybody a hug before heading to his office to begin preparing for Hartford.
After the long layoff, everybody seemed to be chomping at the bit to start practicing again.
“I just can't wait to get back on the court,” Goodwin said. “I'm just so happy right now. I have no words. I thought it was going to take years and years (for the program to become successful).”
Blog on it
Orange fans, be sure to check out the Orange Slices blog at auburnpub.com/blogs for lively commentary on the SU athletics scene.
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