NCAA BK

Big week ahead for women

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Updated Jan 13, 2009 9:31 AM ET
     
 
Sunday's overtime game between North Carolina and N.C. State, filled with dramatic shifts and moments of sensational play, was a fitting start to a week that promises to excite women's basketball fans around the country. And some of the action, such as Monday night's rivalry game in which No. 4 Duke defeated No. 12 Maryland 68-65, takes place in the Triangle. Most fans have marked calendars for this coming Monday when No. 1 Connecticut (15-0) visits Chapel Hill to face No. 2 North Carolina (16-0) at the Smith Center. It's No. 1 vs. No. 2. It's Big East vs. ACC . It's undefeated vs. undefeated. It's sophomore Maya Moore vs. senior Rashanda McCants. It's Geno Auriemma vs. Sylvia Hatchell. It's five national championships vs. one national championship. It's a nationally televised stage where the audience will likely ask: Are the Huskies really that much better than everyone else in the country? But before you fast-forward through your week to get to Monday's games, there are a few others of note: - Florida State (14-4, 2-0 ACC ), which knocked off then No. 3 Texas A&M last week, visits Reynolds Coliseum where a scrappy Wolfpack (8-8, 0-1) team awaits. Despite a roster shortened by injuries, the Pack made some positive strides against the Tar Heels and will look to show the same hustle against other ACC foes. - No. 14 Virginia arrives in Chapel Hill before UConn. The Cavaliers (14-2, 1-0) would like to hand the Heels their first loss of the season and prevent any ESPN commercials promoting a matchup of undefeated teams. Virginia's 5-foot-11 junior guard Monica Wright, one of those players you should add to your must-see list, could cause major trouble for the Heels. But UNC freshman Chay Shegog, who is emerging as a 6-5 post force, could cause her own problems. - And before tipoff in Chapel Hill on Monday, the Blue Devils take their show to Raleigh to face State. The Pack handled the Tar Heels' press without too much trouble. Now State will try to do the same against Duke. No one ever gets a break when these teams meet. It's a fascinating week for women's hoops. Tickets are available for all games. FIVE TO WATCH - Florida State at N.C. State, 7 p.m. Thursday - No. 4 Duke at Virginia Tech, 6:30 p.m. Friday (FSCAR) - No. 14 Virginia at No. 2 North Carolina, 8:30 p.m. Friday (FSCAR) - No. 4 Duke at N.C. State, 5 p.m. Monday (FSCAR) - No. 1 Connecticut at No. 2 North Carolina, 7 p.m. Monday (ESPN2) ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK Boston College's Carolyn Swords, a 6-6 sophomore center, posted two double-doubles and helped her team upset No. 24 Georgia Tech. ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Florida State's 6-4 center Cierra Bravard averaged 13.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in three Seminoles victories, including an upset of No. 3 Texas A&M. MY BALLOT This season, I'm a voter for The Associated Press' Women's Top 25 poll. Here are my top five: No. 1 Connecticut (15-0), No. 2 North Carolina (16-0), No. 3 Oklahoma (12-2), No. 4 Duke (13-1), No. 5 Baylor (13-1). Texas A&M dropped out with a 63-50 loss to Florida State. You can find my other picks on The News & Observer's women's hoops blog at http://blogs.newsobserver.com/ womenshoops/home.
Tagged: Texas, Florida, Texas A&M, Virginia, Duke, Connecticut, Florida State, North Carolina

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