Web posted
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Kansas State women land No. 5 seed in New Orleans regional
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MANHATTAN (AP) -- Kansas State received a No. 5 seed in the NCAA women's tournament, where the Wildcats will face 12th-seeded Chattanooga in the first round on Sunday.
The Wildcats will travel to Bridgeport, Conn., to take on the Lady Mocs, whose 24-game winning streak is the longest in the nation.
It is Kansas State's seventh tournament appearance under coach Deb Patterson, but the first since making it to four straight from 2002-2005. In their last NCAA tournament game three years ago, the Wildcats lost 63-60 to Vanderbilt in the second round.
Patterson said the Wildcats were probably hurt in the seeding process by the loss of leading scorer Kimberly Dietz, who injured her left knee in the team's Big 12 quarterfinal loss to Iowa State.
''It was something we expected,'' Patterson said. ''I think we were probably a three headed into the (Big 12) tournament, and the loss of Kimberly had an impact there.
''I feel good about where we're seeded. Now, you just have to play.''
The Wildcats made history this season by becoming the first Big 12 team -- men's or women's -- to go from last place to first in successive seasons. They tied for last with Kansas in 2007 and then won their first outright conference championship with a 13-3 record this season.
Kansas State will have its hands full playing without Dietz, who averaged 14.9 points, 32.4 minutes, and was fourth all-time in Kansas State history with 230 career 3-pointers.
But that just means other players will have to step up in her absence, Patterson said.
''For all those young people that have not had that court time, it is time to strap it up and to say, 'Hey, man, if I want to make a difference, now is my time,''' she said. ''You dream of getting those minutes. There they are, baby. Let's see what you do with them.''
Chattanooga -- which has won three straight Southern Conference titles -- has not lost since Dec. 1 against Alabama A&M.
The winner of Sunday's game will face either No. 4 seed Louisville or No. 13 seed Miami, Ohio, in the quarterfinals of the New Orleans region.
Kansas State is among a record eight Big 12 teams to receive a bid to the tournament. Big 12 tournament champion Texas A&M earned a No. 2 seed, the highest for any team in the conference.
The Wildcats have never reached a Final Four.
''You've got to bring the best of who you are,'' Patterson said. ''That's a challenge. We're going to be tough, and we're going to go after it.''
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