TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

THE MAIN ATTRACTION

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2007

The NCAA women's basketball season will end in Tampa with the national champion being crowned April 8 at the St. Pete Times Forum.

On Thursday, three perennial powers with title aspirations join South Florida for an early season showcase at the Forum to help tip off the 2007-08 campaign.

In the doubleheader opener at 7 p.m., USF faces 10th-ranked Duke, which has advanced to the Final Four three of the past six seasons.

In the nightcap at 9, top-ranked Tennessee takes on No. 6 Oklahoma in a matchup featuring two of the nation's premier players.

The defending national champion Volunteers are led by Candace Parker, only the fifth unanimous choice for the preseason All-America team. The previous four: Tennessee's Chamique Holdsclaw, Connecticut's Diana Taurasi, Duke's Alana Beard and LSU's Seimone Augustus.

The Sooners are led by another preseason All-America selection, Courtney Paris, who was third in the nation in scoring (23.5) and second in rebounding (15.9) last season in earning Associated Press Player of the Year honors. Paris, who has recorded an astounding 61 consecutive double-doubles, came close to joining Parker as a unanimous choice, getting 48 votes.

All things considered, it wouldn't be a surprise to see one or more of these teams back in Tampa for the Women's Final Four on April 6 and 8.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT