Posted on Mon, Mar. 14, 2005 BIG 12 Longhorns can't seem to escape LSU when brackets are picked By MECHELLE VOEPEL The Kansas City Star Texas coach Jody Conradt took one look at her team's Chattanooga region in the NCAA bracket and saw three letters standing out: L-S-U. For the third year in row, the Longhorns and the Tigers might face each other in the NCAA Tournament. In 2003, they met in the West Region final, won by Texas. Last year, they met in the West's Sweet 16, which was won by LSU. “I wish there were another NCAA guideline — that we wouldn't have to be in the same bracket as LSU for the third straight year,” Conradt said. “All joking aside, LSU is worthy of being the No. 1 team in the tournament.” Texas was the preseason pick to be the Big 12 champion, but the Longhorns finished second to Baylor and then lost in the semifinals of the league tournament to Kansas State. The Longhorns have had trouble closing out games this season, as was evidenced by losing a 17-0 lead against the Wildcats. Texas was without starting guard Nina Norman in the Big 12 tournament; she fractured her pinkie finger on her left (non-shooting) hand in practice Monday. Her status for the NCAA Tournament is uncertain. “This team has the ability to play with anyone in the country,” Conradt said. “However, we are not the same team without Nina Norman. She is tremendous at penetrating and pushing the ball and helping us play up-tempo. Right now, she is not ready to play, but she has a lot of time between now and Saturday's game at Oral Roberts.” Kansas State is other Big 12 team with an injury issue; the Wildcats have lost senior starter Megan Mahoney for the tournament. But the four other Big 12 teams in the field go in looking pretty healthy. Big 12 champion Baylor, the No. 2 seed in the Tempe Region, knows what it's like not to have a key player in the NCAA Tournament. It lost All-Big 12 forward Steffanie Blackmon after she injured her knee in the Big 12 tournament last year. The Bears still made a good run without her, advancing to the Sweet 16 and nearly knocking off Tennessee. Oklahoma has endured knee injuries to several key players over the last few years. This season, the Sooners go into the NCAA Tournament in good shape physically but have the tough draw expected when you're a No. 8 seed. The Sooners probably will face LSU in the second round, provided Oklahoma first gets by No. 9 Arizona. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/colleges/11129800.htm
