TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Is Parity Still Alive?

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 18, 2008

In the span of .2 seconds, Tennessee appeared to dispel the so-called myth of parity in women's basketball.

When the Lady Vols defeated Rutgers in that controversial timeframe a week ago today, it appeared that proof of parity in the sport seemed to take a hit. If Tennessee could find a way to always win the game, what chance do other teams hoping to crack the women's basketball glass ceiling have?

But just when it looked like the Lady Vols were on the fast track to what seems like their annual trip to the Final Four and easily defend their national championship, LSU laid down a road block with its 78-62 win Thursday night.

So is parity alive and well in women's basketball?

There are some signs it is. LSU's upset of the No. 1-ranked Lady Vols points to yes. Rutgers spoiling the perfect season of Connecticut, another team seemingly always in the Final Four, was another.

Then there's the emergence of teams such as West Virginia, Old Dominion and George Washington, programs that haven't sniffed the Final Four in years.

Final Four favorites Tennessee and Connecticut still stand the best chance of finishing the season in Tampa. But the fact they have been defeated bodes well for others that would like to get their shot.

Courtside: Oklahoma's Courtney Paris

Courtney Paris recently set an NCAA career double-double record, surpassing the previous mark set by former Wake Forest standout and current San Antonio Spurs player Tim Duncan. Paris spoke to The Tampa Tribune about the record and how she'd like her team to make a return trip to Tampa.

Congratulations on passing Tim Duncan with your 88th career double-double. How does it feel to be mentioned in the same breath as a player of Tim Duncan's caliber?

Anyone who watches basketball knows about Tim Duncan and how great he is as a player. It's kind of cool having my name thrown around with him.

What does the record mean to you? Is it something you will fully be able to appreciate once you're finished playing?

I think right now it's just my job and it's what I do for my team. I guess after college when I look back at it, it will be something special to me.

How did you develop into being such an all-around player?

Even since I was a young kid in AAU, I've always taken pride in rebounding and I've always felt like no matter how I was doing, I could rebound. So I take pride in that. I remember when I came to Oklahoma as a freshman, Coach Sherri Coale sat me down and said you should be able to average 10-and-10 for us. It's something that has been able to happen since I've been here.

You began your season in Tampa. How much fun did you have on that court at the beginning of the season and how much would you enjoy ending your season in Tampa?

I thought it was cool that they had posters that said "Starts here, ends here." I think that motivated us to get back to Tampa.

Your team stands a good chance of ending up in Tampa.

I think we're just getting better. We're real young, but every day we're just improving on the little things and just have been able to get better every week. I think we have lot more to learn and a lot more to prove, but I feel confident that we can pull together and gain momentum heading into the NCAA tournament.

Forgive me for asking a question you probably get asked a lot, but how did your father, former< NFL player Bubba Paris, influence your basketball career?

Just seeing him playing at the highest level, I've always been exposed to athletic people and people with a lot of passion in athletics. I think just always being surrounded by that made me very serious and committed to my sport. He told me if you're going to do it, be the best in the world at it.

How much did you have to teach him about basketball?

I had to teach him everything, but he won't tell you that. He thinks he knows it all.

Share this:

MORE FROM THIS CHANNEL

• Waves big enough for extreme competition

• UF's Strong could get Louisville job on Wednesday

• Tocchet returns Lecavalier to top line for slumping Bolts

• Losses aside, Bucs improving

TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE

ncaa career • san antonio spurs • old dominion • courtney paris • tampa tribune • perfect season • tim duncan • glass ceiling • final four • return trip • parity • national championship • wake forest • standout • lsu • rutgers • caliber • fast track • george washington • timeframe

Loading Comments...

Email Print