'Do or die' weekend full of talent

By Gwenn Miller
Collegian Staff Writer

Even though the do-or-die Big Ten Tournament begins today, Wisconsin women's basketball coach Jane Albright already had a brush with death.

While feeding her lion fish, Mufasa, Albright brushed against its venomous skin. She was taken to a local hospital after her hand swelled to enormous proportions.

"Other than my ego taking a ribbing from my players, I think I'll be okay," Albright said.

Today at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Albright and the rest of the Big Ten coaches and teams have bigger problems than lion fish — they have to contend with each other. Among All-American and Coach of the Year Candidates, Albright and other coaches said almost anything can happen.

Top teams

Just as they did in the regular season, the Big Ten teams will have their eyes trained on No. 1-seed Penn State. But for some teams, winning is more imperative than for others.

Even though they finished in the top five in regular season conference play, certain Big Ten teams are worried about what happens after the tournament ends March 5. No. 4 Illinois and No. 5 Michigan State are among teams who could be left home when it comes to the Big Dance.

Which means the only sure way to the NCAA Tournament is winning the Big Ten, Spartans coach Karen Langeland said.

Most coaches have said the Big Ten doesn't get the respect they think it deserves, which leads to the selection of fewer teams. Even No. 3-seed Purdue coach Kristy Curry said she is worried about seeding in the NCAAs in relation to the tournament finish.

"We need to take that out of the committee's hands and control it as much as we can," Curry said.

If past tournaments are any indication, Illinois should have fewer difficulties landing an NCAA invitation. Despite a 10-6 Big Ten record in 1999, the Fighting Illini advanced to the finals before losing to Purdue.

"This gives us a chance to make another run," Illini coach Theresa Grentz said.

And that's exactly what the Big Ten Tournament is — an equalizer and a second chance. No. 2-seed Michigan coach Sue Guevara said she was happy with the Wolverines' finish, especially considering their efforts in the second half of the season.

But she'd still like to have the guarantee that comes with being the No. 1 seed.

"To be honest, we wanted to be the No. 1 seed," Guevara said. "But Penn State, God, they've done a great job this season."

Key players

Obviously, scoring is a huge component to success in the tournament. Without players with reliable skills, the burdens of the tournament increase.

"You need athletes and experience to keep playing," Albright said.

But four teams have an advantage.

Illinois, Penn State, Michigan State and Wisconsin each have three players in the top 20 in scoring. Michigan can't boast the same numbers, but it does have five players averaging double digits.

The tournament is also an opportunity to make a strong case for All-Big Ten selections. Penn State coach Rene Portland said Lady Lions Maren Walseth, Andrea Garner and point guard Helen Darling should all be in the hunt.

"If they're not first-team All-Big Ten," Portland said, "I'd be surprised."