RUTGERS — The top-seeded Scarlet Knights have the best player in the conference, All-American Cappie Pondexter, and play a style of defense that breaks down the opponent's psyche. They've won back-to-back regular-season championships, but they're still looking for their first tournament championship despite reaching the finals in four of the last eight years. This year provides their best chance to win.
UCONN — The second-seeded Huskies embarrassed themselves in losing at Rutgers Monday and are 0-2 against the champs this season. But tournament time is usually when UConn is at its best. Barbara Turner carried the Huskies to the tournament championship last season. As much as this team has struggled at times, there is still plenty of talent to run the table.
Knocking on the door
DEPAUL — Senior Khara Smith and the third-seeded Blue Demons have the talent to win the championship in their first appearance in the tournament. They are also trying to put together a strong postseason run in an attempt to send Smith out the right way. But likely having to beat UConn and Rutgers in consecutive games is an unenviable task.
Looking to make their mark
ST. JOHN'S — Behind coach Kim Barnes Arico, the fourth-seeded Red Storm have been a hot topic of discussion because of their rapid ascension from ruins the last two seasons. They haven't been seeded this low since they were also No. 4 in 1991 and they've won only one tournament
PITTSBURGH — The sixth-seeded Panthers have lost six straight tournament games since reaching the semifinals in 1996 as the 13th seed. Despite being loaded with underclassmen, they've enjoyed their best season since finishing 21-10 in 1993-94 and would like to quantify what they've accomplished by winning a couple of games in the tournament. The team has a familiar assistant coach — former UConn All-American Shea Ralph.
NOTRE DAME — The 10th-seeded Irish have been a mainstay in the upper echelon of the conference for several years. This season has been a nightmare in the wake of losing All-American Jacqueline Batteast to graduation. Now they begin the tournament seeded higher than they've ever been, but also playing as well as they have at any point this season.
STAR POWER CAPPIE PONDEXTER (RUTGERS) — The Big East Player of the Year proved she can carry the Scarlet Knights whenever she has to throughout the season. She has very few limitations, ice water in her veins and a will to help the Scarlet Knights earn more hardware before season's end.
BARBARA TURNER (UCONN) — She had scored in double figures in a career-high 10 straight games prior to Monday's loss at Rutgers. It was the best stretch of her career for a player who came up big last season in this tournament when UConn needed her. She might be undersized at barely 5-foot-11, but she has the heart to again be a major player in the tournament.
ANN STROTHER (UCONN) — She has struggled shooting the ball over the last three games (29.2 percent). But she can light it up at any time as she proved during a three-game stretch in late December and early January when she averaged 23 points and shot 50 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from 3-point range.
KHARA SMITH (DEPAUL) — She is a double-double machine and the best post player in the conference. Without Pondexter, she would have been the conference player of the year. She'll probably accept the tournament Most Outstanding Player award instead. MEGAN DUFFY (NOTRE DAME) — She is one of the top point guards in the country who has carried Notre Dame all season despite varying support. Once viewed a fine complementary player, she has evolved into a leader and an all-around threat.
JESSICA DICKSON (SOUTH FLORIDA) — She finished tied for first in the nation in scoring with LSU senior Seimone Augustus at 22.4 points per game. She is a threat to go off for 30 or more every game. And she'll likely have to if the Bulls are going to make a run in the tournament.
MARCEDES WALKER (PITTSBURGH ) — She's another bruising center, a constant double-double threat and an immovable force in the lane. Just a sophomore, Walker is the key to the success of the Panthers.
BEYOND THE STARS RENEE MONTGOMERY (UCONN) — She has been at her best over the last couple of weeks. She is regularly looking to score, showing no fear of pulling up in transition, firing up a 3-pointer or taking the ball to the basket. UConn will need her to continue her roll
CHARDE HOUSTON (UCONN) — She has become one of the most unpredictable players in the country this season. Houston can be as good as anybody in the country or as bad as anybody in the country. Lately, she has just been plain bad. It's her play that ultimately holds the keys to UConn's success.
MATEE AJAVON (RUTGERS) — She's a speedster with great courage and quick hands defensively. Ajavon is an ideal complement to Pondexter in the Rutgers backcourt. Ajavon can score from the perimeter and off the dribble. She simply needs to stay out of foul trouble.
ALLIE QUIGLEY (DEPAUL) — She's one of the nation's top 3-point shooters and helps keeps defenses from completely collapsing on Smith. Quigley, the Conference USA freshman of the year last season, is also DePaul's leader in assists and has the ability to score in bunches.
KIA WRIGHT (ST. JOHN'S) — She has become a leader at point guard for the Red Storm after leaving UConn. Wright leads the team in assists and steals and is second in scoring. As talented as Angela Clark is, the success of the Red Storm hinges on the play of Wright.
QUESTION MARKS
1. Can Rutgers win its first tournament championship and become the first team other than UConn to win the outright regular season and tournament titles since Miami in 1991-92?
2. Will UConn rally to win the tournament or will it become the first group of Huskies to fail to win either conference championship since 1992-93?
3. Boston College (No. 5, 2004) and Syracuse (No. 5, 1985) are the only teams seeded lower than third to win the tournament. Will there be any surprises this season?
4. Will the overall increase of talent in the field (nine teams have at least 18 wins) increase the attendance at the 16,294-seat Civic Center? (UConn drew an average of 8,754 in its three games last season, including 9,036 in the final.)
PROJECTED POSTSEASON AWARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Cappie Pondexter, Rutgers
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR — C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers; Kim Barnes-Arico, St. John's
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR — Renee Montgomery, UConn
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER — Mel Thomas, UConn
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Kia Wright, St. John's
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD — Megan Duffy, Notre Dame
— RICH ELLIOTT
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