North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack, Bruins Appear One in the Same at NCAAs
3/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minneapolis, Minn. - If the goal was to match two teams that are mirror images of each other, then the NCAA passed with flying colors. Tomorrow night at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPNU, ninth-seed NC State (20-13) will take on eight-seed UCLA (24-8) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
When comparing playing style, coaching and experience between the two opponents it's remarkably alike.
"Going back and watching film on UCLA and watching film on us, there are definitely some similarities between the two teams," said head coach Kellie Harper.
The Wolfpack is returning to the tournament for the first time since its Sweet 16 run back in 2007. Of the four seniors on the team, they totaled a combined 18 minutes of playing time during the run. Only Sharnise Beal recorded any points, finishing with five points over three games.
When scanning the Bruins roster, their NCAA Tournament experience is even less than the Pack as none of the players have played in the "Big Dance."
With such little experience, players from both teams are soaking in the atmosphere.
"It's really exciting to be here," said Marissa Kastanek. "We worked really hard this season as a team, on and off the court, and I think it's just a great honor to be here."
As far as play styles, both teams preach defense, rebounding, and running up and down the court. The post will be a matchup of what are considered undersized players. On paper the two teams couldn't be more even.
Not surprisingly the teams' makeup and personality represent their coaches. Both come from what was referred in Saturday's NCAA press conference as the "Summitt Academy." Bruins head coach Nikki Caldwell played at Tennessee under Pat Summitt from 1990-94, winning a National Championship her freshman season. During the 1998-99 season, Caldwell was a graduate assistant at Tennessee. It was then that she coached a senior point guard named Kellie Jolly, who had led the Lady Vols to three straight National Championships from 1996-98.
"When you go through the (Tennessee) program, there is a mutual respect," said Caldwell. "You know the sweat equity you need to put in under Coach Summit. So we are always going to root for each other because of that connection. I'm very happy for her."
NC State' s head mentor agrees.
"I think Pat recruits highly competitive people, and I think that's one thing Coach Caldwell and I have in common," said Harper. "When you play at the University of Tennessee, you're bound with all other former players, whether you played together or not, and that's the connection that Nikki and I have."
While the players are excited, they are just ready to settle it on the court.
"We want to set the tone," said Amber White. "We want to come out and be in control of the game both offensively and defensively."
While Harper and Caldwell have a wealth of experience from playing in the NCAA Tournament for the Vols, both are fairly green as head coaches. This will be Harper's third tournament appearance in her sixth year as a head coach. She took Western Carolina to the NCAA's two times. Caldwell, who is in her second year at UCLA, is in the "Big Dance" as a head coach for the first time.
With what looks like an evenly matched game, at the end of the day the winner could be decided by who has more heart and who wants it worse.
"I think you're going to see some highly motivated players, and kids playing inspired," said Harper.
When comparing playing style, coaching and experience between the two opponents it's remarkably alike.
"Going back and watching film on UCLA and watching film on us, there are definitely some similarities between the two teams," said head coach Kellie Harper.
The Wolfpack is returning to the tournament for the first time since its Sweet 16 run back in 2007. Of the four seniors on the team, they totaled a combined 18 minutes of playing time during the run. Only Sharnise Beal recorded any points, finishing with five points over three games.
When scanning the Bruins roster, their NCAA Tournament experience is even less than the Pack as none of the players have played in the "Big Dance."
With such little experience, players from both teams are soaking in the atmosphere.
"It's really exciting to be here," said Marissa Kastanek. "We worked really hard this season as a team, on and off the court, and I think it's just a great honor to be here."
As far as play styles, both teams preach defense, rebounding, and running up and down the court. The post will be a matchup of what are considered undersized players. On paper the two teams couldn't be more even.
Not surprisingly the teams' makeup and personality represent their coaches. Both come from what was referred in Saturday's NCAA press conference as the "Summitt Academy." Bruins head coach Nikki Caldwell played at Tennessee under Pat Summitt from 1990-94, winning a National Championship her freshman season. During the 1998-99 season, Caldwell was a graduate assistant at Tennessee. It was then that she coached a senior point guard named Kellie Jolly, who had led the Lady Vols to three straight National Championships from 1996-98.
"When you go through the (Tennessee) program, there is a mutual respect," said Caldwell. "You know the sweat equity you need to put in under Coach Summit. So we are always going to root for each other because of that connection. I'm very happy for her."
NC State' s head mentor agrees.
"I think Pat recruits highly competitive people, and I think that's one thing Coach Caldwell and I have in common," said Harper. "When you play at the University of Tennessee, you're bound with all other former players, whether you played together or not, and that's the connection that Nikki and I have."
While the players are excited, they are just ready to settle it on the court.
"We want to set the tone," said Amber White. "We want to come out and be in control of the game both offensively and defensively."
While Harper and Caldwell have a wealth of experience from playing in the NCAA Tournament for the Vols, both are fairly green as head coaches. This will be Harper's third tournament appearance in her sixth year as a head coach. She took Western Carolina to the NCAA's two times. Caldwell, who is in her second year at UCLA, is in the "Big Dance" as a head coach for the first time.
With what looks like an evenly matched game, at the end of the day the winner could be decided by who has more heart and who wants it worse.
"I think you're going to see some highly motivated players, and kids playing inspired," said Harper.
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