Northwestern University Athletics
And-1 With Amy
3/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 16, 2010
Hey Wildcat Fans,
Well I think I may need to go see the trainer today because my finger hurts from hitting the refresh button so many times on my computer last night waiting for the WNIT's website to reveal the field of 64. Finally, around 10:30 p.m., the WNIT posted which teams made it into the tournament ... and... WE MADE IT! This is the first time in 13 years that Northwestern women's basketball has made it to the postseason. We will be playing Duquesne at 7 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena, so please come out and support our team as we continue to change the culture of Northwestern basketball. If you cannot make it to Evanston, be sure to tune in to the Big Ten Network--they're carrying it live!
Honestly, at this point, I do not know much about Duquesne because we just found out that we are playing them and we have yet to have our first practice. However, I do know that before Coach McKeown came to Northwestern, he coached in the Atlantic 10 for 19 years while at George Washington, and faced Duquesne many times. So he is no stranger to the DU's program and I'm sure he will once again prepare us well for Thursday. I personally think it will be fun to play a team outside our conference because we haven't done so since before winter break last year. Every conference typically has a certain style of play, so to break out of the Big Ten physical power game will be a fun challenge. This past week we have had some highly-competitive practices. We have been scrimmaging, running over situational end-of-the game plays, lifting and conditioning. Basically, doing everything we can to make sure we are ready to make a run at the championship game in this tournament. It is finals week this week, so being able to play at home is a huge help for all of us. Not having to take finals on the road or study in a hotel room is a relief. Plus, we get to play in front of our fans who have supported us all year!
On a side note, I think it is pretty special that both our men's and women's program have made it to NIT and WNIT postseason tournaments this year. It's a great time to be a Wildcat!
At the beginning of this week, Coach McKeown made a speech about how only two teams end the season with a win, the NCAA championship team and the WNIT championship team. Last night, we were given the opportunity to be one of those two teams. We need to win five games in a row to be crowned the WNIT champions. I am happy that the first of five games will be at home in front of our own fans. Again please come out and support us!
Until next time,
Go 'Cats!
Amy J.
