I had never seen such optimism from Virginia basketball players and fans as I did Sunday evening. I must admit, it was a little unsettling and a lot unexpected to watch the Cavaliers greet the NCAA tournament selection show so enthusiastically. But, much to my surprise, I saw and heard nothing but loud cheering and enthusiastic applause as I sat alongside the team at BW3's watching as the tournament bracket was announced on ESPN.
Wait, just to make sure there's no confusion, I should clarify that I am talking about the Virginia women's basketball team.
While one basketball team's beleaguered coach was fired/resigned/whatever, fans of the women's program can rest assured that legendary head coach Debbie Ryan is still at the helm for the Cavaliers, who are returning to the tournament following a one-year absence after having made the draw the previous 20 seasons.
With its 20-10 record and strong showing in the ACC Tournament, Virginia landed a No. 6 seed and a first-round date with Old Dominion Saturday night in Minnesota. As Ryan chewed nervously on her straw throughout the selection show, the hum of NASCAR engines on the nearby television screens were interrupted by raucous yells when ESPN flashed Virginia's name on BW3's projection TV screen. The players immediately scrambled for their cell phones and quickly tried to decipher what the bracket meant. Are they in a tough region? Who might they play in the second round? What's the weather this week in Minneapolis? Only one thing was clear: These girls were thrilled to see their season continue, even if it meant trekking to a northern state with a whole lot of lakes.
"It's a little bit cold, it's a little bit far, but they could have sent us anywhere -- we're ready to play," senior forward Jocelyn Logan-Friend said.
Forgive these women for sounding a bit delirious with excitement about the trip -- tournament time is called March Madness for a reason. Flying halfway across the country to play an in-state rival in snowy Minnesota hardly sounds appealing to most sane members of our community, but these women are peaking at the right time, having won four of their last six. The only two losses came at the hands of North Carolina, which was given a No. 1 seed in the tourney.
"We have a lot of confidence going into this tournament," Ryan said. "We gave them a good deal of time off. They have their legs back. They've practiced really well the past couple of days. I just think we're really ready to go."
Senior forward Brandi Teamer was especially audible with her delight at the draw, repeatedly yelling "Yes!" and clutching her fists. An Illinois native, Teamer is excited that her extended family and friends will be able to make the drive and provide a fan base for the first two games.
The game will be even more of a homecoming for senior forward Kate Kreager, who was born in Minnesota and still has family in the state. Though Kreager is one of six Cavaliers to have played in an NCAA Tournament game before, she served as Xavier's sixth man her freshman season as the Musketeers went 31-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight, including an upset win over Tennessee in the Sweet Sixteen.
The seniors know that they need to approach every game as if it might be their last. Their careers may be coming to an end, but Ryan said she believes they will leave having started a brand-new tournament streak: "Absolutely, this is just the beginning."
With fearless confidence, Ryan leads Virginia into the tournament Saturday night with high hopes. Maybe next year she can coach the men's team...
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