The University of Mississippi Athletics
Mississippi Versus Villanova AP Preview
3/19/2004 | Women's Basketball
March 19, 2004
No. 10 Mississippi (17-13) vs.
No. 7 Villanova (22-6).
REGIONAL: West, First Round.
TIME: Sunday, 7 p.m. EST.
SITE: Hilton Coliseum; Ames, Iowa.
Villanova is one of the most methodical teams in the country, while Mississippi likes to get out and run.
The contrast in styles will be on display when the Wildcats and Lady Rebels meet in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Villanova led the nation in fewest turnovers with 9.2 per game. Mississippi, on the other hand, takes more chances on the offensive end and averaged 17.5 turnovers this season.
The Lady Rebels are a high-scoring club, posting 73.0 points a game. But the Wildcats are second in the country in scoring defense, with teams averaging just 52.3 points against them.
"I think it works to whoever's advantage that controls the style of that game," Villanova coach Harry Perretta said. "If they can get us playing fast, that's going to work to their advantage. If we can slow them down, that works to our advantage."
Villanova enters the tournament with eight wins in its last nine games, including a victory over two-time defending national champion Connecticut on Feb. 28.
The Wildcats beat the Huskies in the Big East conference title game last season, then went on to win three games in the NCAAs before falling to Tennessee in the regional finals.
Villanova is led by sophomore forward Liad Suez, who averages 13.4 points. Senior guard Courtney Mix leads the Wildcats in rebounding (7.0), assists (4.4) and steals (1.6).
Mississippi is making its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since the 1996 season. The Lady Rebels earned an at-large berth and a No. 10 seed after posting a 7-7 mark in the competitive Southeastern Conference.
Mississippi is led by freshman guard Armintie Price's 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Price, the SEC freshman of the year, has recorded 14 double-doubles this season.
Lady Rebels coach Carol Ross is happy that her team was recognized for its hard work this season, but she knows Mississippi will have its hands full against the defensive-minded Wildcats.
"Obviously, we are elated," said Ross, who is in her first season as coach of the Lady Rebels. "We are very excited to be one of the 64 teams selected for this prestigious event.
"Villanova is a team that presents a lot of matchup problems for us. We have been working the last few days on figuring out how we can dance a little longer and get through a very tough Villanova team."
The winner of Sunday's game will face either No. 2 Purdue or No. 15 St. Francis, Pa., in the second round on Tuesday.
PROBABLE STARTERS:
Mississippi - F Tywanna Inmon (7.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg), C Amber Watts (9.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg), G Carletta Brown (8.9 ppg, 4.7 apg), G Genice Terry (12.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G Price (15.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg).
Villanova - F Suez (13.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), F Mix (8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Jennifer Hilgenberg (7.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg), C Jana Rediger (3.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg), G Kelly Nash (6.2 ppg, 1.0 apg).
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Mississippi - At-large berth.
Villanova - At-large berth.
ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORD:
Mississippi - 15-14, 14 years.
Villanova - 6-7, 7 years.
