Texas A&M Earns Program-Best No. 2 Seed

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Mar 17- On the heels of their highest-ever national ranking and first-ever Big 12 Conference Tournament title, the eighth-ranked Texas A&M women’s basketball team earned a program-best No. 2 seed in the 2008 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship as announced on Selection Monday. A&M will face 15th-seeded Texas-San Antonio (23-9) in first-round action of the Oklahoma City Regional to be held on Saturday, March 22 at 11 a.

More... (http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?PRID=14166&source=RSS)

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http://www.the12thmanchild.com/story/2008/3/19/0243/98878

Let's take a look at what the Aggies have to face in the Midwest Region of the 2008 Women's NCAA Tournament. Most experts will tell you the Oklahoma City regional is by no means the toughest, but the Aggies must march through tough competition that includes defending National Champion Tennessee, perennial power Duke, and the incredibly difficult and familiar Oklahoma. Do the Aggies have a chance to win the regional and make the Final Four? Sure, but so does sixteenth seeded Oral Roberts.

The Aggies Road to the Final Four:

Life is simple in Aggieland these days. If we play defense, we win. If we don't, then we lose. Everything the Aggies are trying to do comes from their defense and their guards. A'Quonesia Franklin and Takia Starks will key the Aggie's run through the NCAA tournament with their defense and their ability to push the ball in transition. If there is one weakness it is the half court offense. We have no one that can consistently score in the half court. Damitria Buchanon has come on as of late, Takia Starks is making everything she shoots, and Danielle Gant is the perfect mismatch. In order for the Aggies to make a run in the NCAA tournament all of the above must continue playing as they have lately. If the Aggies want to beat Tennessee, then all hands need to be on deck. Specifically Morenike Atunruse has to return to the form that made her one of the best players in the country her freshman and sophomore years.

The Favorites in Oklahoma City


There is Tennessee and everyone else. Tennessee is the defending champ and they have the best player in the country in Candace Parker. Oh, they also have the greatest women's basketball coach of all time.

Duke has to be considered another favorite in the region based on talent alone. Most of the players on the team are what Coach G left when she jumped on the cash and went to tu. They are very talented and should play a great game against the Aggies in the Sweet Sixteen.

Many experts are saying Utah maybe the women's version of George Mason. Personally I doubt it because they would have to beat Tennessee in the second round. That ain't gonna happen.

As long as OU has the Paris twins they are dangerous. There aren't very many girls that are that big, that mobile, and that good. They do what they want, when they want, and how they want. The big question for OU is, will their guards get in the way of the Paris twins?

My Prediction for the Aggies
The Aggies should advance past the second round for the first time under Gary Blair. They will fight hard against the Blue Devils and the odds on winning that one are 50/50. However, it just doesn't matter because Tennessee will go to Tampa and play in the Final Four.

As the Aggies advance I will try to post more updates and analysis. Good luck to the ladies, they have worked hard and earned their time on the national stage.
-Coach Dale