The Maine women downplay the talk about Texas Tech.
Old news.
That’s what Sharon Versyp calls it.
One of the first things mentioned about the Texas Tech University women’s basketball team is the fact that it lost two starters during the season and have lost three of its last four games.
The University of Maine coach puts little stock in that. Those are yesterday’s headlines.
“They were No. 1 early on in the year, and they’re still No. 12 and that’s without those two,” said Versyp. “They’re playing in the Big 12, and that’s one of the best conferences. So there shouldn’t be much talk about it now.”
Thirteenth-seeded Maine (25-6) meets fourth-seeded Texas Tech (24-7) Saturday night at 9 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA Mideast Regional. The Black Bears know the Red Raiders will be a challenge and enter the game with a business-like focus.
“We can’t be satisfied with it and say ‘Yeah, we made it,'” said UMaine center Heather Ernest. “We need to take on a new attitude and know that it’s just another game. That’s how we looked at the BU game (in the America East final). We can’t get so hyped and overexcited. We have to keep ourselves in check.”
Despite adversity, Texas Tech still finished fourth in a conference that had seven teams make the NCAA Tournament. That came after losing top scorer, Jia Perkins, early in the year when she left the team for medical reasons and center Cisti Greenwalt to a fractured ankle. Depth and balance has paid off, and Texas Tech remains a formidable foe.
“I know they’re extra-talented,” said Ernest. “They play some of the best teams in the nation. It’s going to be great to go out there and play competition like that.”
Even though the Red Raiders are highly-ranked and have been to the NCAA Tournament 15 straight years, the Black Bears see this as a beneficial matchup. Both teams have to travel to a neutral court in Missoula, Montana. Texas Tech has size and quickness, but it is a team that just may fit well against some of the Black Bears strengths. The Black Bears are playing great defense and their transition game could give Texas Tech some trouble.
“I’ve been watching tapes,” said Versyp. “I’m excited about the matchup. I think we definitely match up with them well.”
Texas Tech’s top player is sophomore guard Erin Grant. She was a Big 12 Second Team All-Star and averaged eight points and five rebounds per game. Jolee Ayers-Curry and LaToya Davis are the top inside players. Ayers-Curry is a 6-foot-2 senior center averaging five points and four rebounds. Davis is a 6-1 sophomore forward, averaging seven points and six rebounds. The other starters include senior guard Natalie Ritchie (seven points) and sophomore forward Chelsey Dabbs (six points). Freshman forward Alesha Robertson has come off the bench and has averaged 12 points and was a Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention.
While the individual numbers are meager, the Red Raiders were among the top teams in all categories in the conference and led the Big 12 in rebounding.
The only common opponents for the two teams were Washington, which Texas beat 74-70 and UMaine lost to 82-70, and SMU, a team Texas beat 77-37 and UMaine lost to, 44-43.
Considering Texas Tech’s tournament experience and this being the Black Bears first trip since 2000, the Red Raiders certainly have an edge in this kind of atmosphere. UMaine, which has just one NCAA tourney win, hopes not to be consumed with the hype and the advantages Texas Tech may have. The Black Bears are intent on doing what they do best. UMaine is focusing on continuing its strong defensive play, utilizing its running game and doing the job on the boards.
“We can’t worry about anyone else,” said Versyp. “We’re still the hunter. There’s no pressure on us. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We’re not going to change our gameplan.”
If UMaine can maintain a laid-back facade, that will certainly suit its needs. When they avenged BU in last week’s conference championship, the Black Bears had a fun and loose atmosphere.
“When we play tight we’re not a good team and when we play loose we play very good,” said Versyp. “That’s what we’re going to do again. They’re going to be in awe of the atmosphere, but if we can just get out to a solid start we’ll be okay.”
A strong start could be key against a Texas Tech team that allowed 50 points during the season but gave up 80 in its last two outings.
Ernest, the two-time American East Player of the Year, leads the Black Bears with 17 points and nine rebounds. Fellow senior forward Julie Veilleux averaged eight points and four rebounds and a strong outside presence. Senior guard Melissa Heon has scored 11 points per game and had five rebounds. Forward Monica Peterson and Kim Corbitt chip in offensively but also give the Black Bears versatility.
“We just have to go out there and have a good time, smile and have fun,” said Ernest. “That’s what we’ve been doing. We have to enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy what’s going on.”
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