|
SLAM! Sports COLUMNS INTERACTIVE CONTESTS ALSO ON SLAM! |
NCAA WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT PREVIEW (NORFOLK ST-DUKE) Friday, March 15, 11:10 AM No. 16 Norfolk St (22-8) vs No. 1 Duke (27-3) 8:36 pm EST East Region First Round -------------------------------------------------------------------------- DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Duke tries to extend its school record 18-game winning streak on Friday when it faces Norfolk State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament's East Regional at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils earned the first No. 1 seed in school history after winning their third straight Atlantic Coast Conference title. They were unbeaten in 16 conference games and became the third team in ACC history to earn back-to-back top seeds. Duke (27-3) has not lost since suffering an 89-68 setback against Tennessee on December 27 and is hosting the first two rounds at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the fifth consecutive season. "We feel very good, especially since the last time we went to the Final Four the regional was in the state of North Carolina," Duke coach Gail Goestenkors said. "In the past it has been good for us to be close to home. There is a comfort level when you can sleep in your own bed and you know your fans will be able to come and watch you play as well." The Blue Devils have won eight straight Tournament games at Cameron Indoor Stadium since losing to San Francisco in the second round in 1996. They have never lost in the first round in eight previous appearances. Duke has won its last 10 NCAA Tournament games played in the state of North Carolina and has advanced to the Sweet 16 in each of the last two seasons. Norfolk State (22-8) makes its first trip to the NCAA Tournament after dominating the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament en route to their first league championship. The Lady Spartans have never faced the Blue Devils. The winner advances to a second-round matchup against No. 8 seed Texas Christian or No. 9 seed Indiana on Sunday. st 03-15-02 11:05 et |