Why isn't the women's tourney as exciting as men's?
I was sitting courtside at the Comcast Center Monday, watching the Maryland women practice (the top-seeded Terps play No. 9 Utah tonight in College Park). As they began, I was one of only a couple of reporters watching – a stark contrast from what I’d seen in Kansas City, Mo., last week covering the men’s team.
I’ll answer the headline’s question in a bit, but first let me note that women's practices are great for eavesdropping. Here’s a sampling of what I heard:
-- “It’s like Bob Knight said, ‘Bury me upside down so my critics can kiss my ass.’ "
-- “I just shaved my armpits… plus I used cocoa butter so it’s real smooth.”
-- “Yo, D, I’m gonna get you some Depends, those old people diapers.”
-- Maryland player 1: “Look how congested it is.”
Maryland player 2: “That’s a good word. That’s an SAT word.”
Maryland coach: “Do you know how to spell it?”
Maryland player 2: “Oh, Coach B trying to get you!”
Maryland player 1: “This is practice time. We’re away from academics right now.”
Every March what separates the men's and women's tournaments is unmistakable. It's the parity. Or at least it was.
For the longest time, the women’s tournament lacked the possibility of a Cinderella. Brackets were easy to fill out: 1) pick the top seeds, 2) collect major winnings from office pool, 3) remark how cool it is that your office has a pool for the women’s tournament.
But Tennessee lost on Monday night. Granted, they were a No. 5 seed – losing to No. 12 Ball State – but believe me, this is college basketball royalty getting clowned by the jester.
“Obviously to see a heralded program like Tennessee go down in the first round to a mid-major team -- it used to always be the talk of UConn and Tennessee -- and to see this happen, it absolutely speaks to the parity of our sport,” said Maryland coach Brenda Frese. “As our sport has grown and the talent base has increased, you’ve got to have those upsets to notice that the game isn’t just a matter of the No. 1 and No. 2 teams winning every year."
This kind of stuff doesn’t happen on the women's side. (In fact, Pat Summitt has never failed to reach the Sweet 16 round.) But this year, it is. At least it’s happening enough to notice a difference.
One year ago, the women had just three upsets in the first round – that’s in 32 games – and only seven total in the first two rounds (48 games, if I'm doing my math right). For the sake of comparison, the men had eight upsets in the first round last year and 12 total in the first 48 games of the tournament.
Fast-forward 12 months: In the men’s field this year, there were a total of 10 upsets, including a 13 beating a 4 and two 12s topping 5s. The women this year had eight upsets in the opening round, including two 12s over 5s.
“There’s definitely a lot more parity,” said Terps senior Marissa Coleman. “Ball State beating Tennessee – that’s never happened in Tennessee history. You can’t take any team lightly. There’s not just three powerhouses any more like years past. Anyone can win a national championship.”
Maryland continues its quest tonight at 7. I’m certainly not rooting for anyone, but I do think upsets are good for the sport. Intrigue and uncertainty is a positive thing. Ultimately, I’d like to view the women’s sport as I do the men’s: searching for Cinderella in the first two rounds but eager to see quality teams reach the Final Four.
Photo: AP
Comments
screw you
Posted by: Anonymous | March 24, 2009 11:01 AM
I enjoy the women's game because ususally there is less fouling, more thinking, better defense, much more offensive sets, and it is played at a pace that you can follow and understand.
I watch women's tennis now because instead of a rocket serve and move to the other side as in men's, there is actually a return, a rally, lobs, etcetera.
Posted by: Fritzchap | March 24, 2009 11:03 AM
For the most part, sports fans prefer to watch a faster paced, more athletic brand of play, rather than have to look at a slow and plodding product. I will not apologize for wanting excitement from watching a game. Watching most women's sports is tedious. As for tennis, I don't mind watching so much as long as the sound is turned down. Monica Seles ruined the game with her grunts and shrieks. Now every woman (and a few men) sound like they are giving birth with every serve, backhand, or overhead that they hit.
Posted by: btbdanny | March 24, 2009 11:18 AM
because watching playground pickup games at Randallstown or Milford Mill Hs has more action and drama than WNBA or NCAA womens. its nothing personal, i've tried a dozen times...I just can't take the pace of the women's game. We love 3 things in sports: Speed, Power, and Drama. WNBA has none of those...or NcAA womens' sports.
Posted by: mike | March 24, 2009 11:25 AM
Wow,
Essentially you did communicate that you wouldn't be bummed if the Terps Women were upset tonight - at a minimum that you won't root for the Terps.
Would you not roor for the Ravens, Orioles or Terps Men in their post seasons?
Terps women have accomplished as much this decade as the Terps Men and the Ravens (sorry Os).
As Choach Ray Mullis (Gibbons) used to say "Get with the program!"
Sun should stick with only buying the Post's Camille Powell's stories if this is what we get.
Posted by: steve-vo | March 24, 2009 11:35 AM
I'm certainly not rooting for anyone to get fired, but a hometown sports columnist for a declining newspaper who doesn't root for the hometown team should find a new job.
Posted by: Anne Barney | March 24, 2009 11:42 AM
Just so there's no confusion: a sports columnist is a paid journalist, not a fan of your favorite team.
No, I don't root for the Ravens on Sundays or the Orioles in the fall or the Maryland men in March.
I'll concede my job is often easier when these teams do well. But my goal is objectivity and fairness, and I suspect you'd hear from reporters and columnists in any city.
Posted by: Maese | March 24, 2009 11:57 AM
Maese,
I love reading your work but you said there was only two 12 over 5 games in the mens tourney this year. Actually there was three. Arizona, Wisconsin, and Western Kentucky. Purdue was actually the only 5 seed to win the first round.
Other than that, keep up ther good work!
By the way, I appreciate your objectivity. Its nice to know that you don't just write about Baltimore area sports because you are a fan.
Posted by: Caleb | March 24, 2009 2:57 PM
Rick, your "objectivity" comment has as much worth to it as homeboy Traitor Tex signing with the Yankees. Liar, liar pants on fire. Reporters have as much objectivity like Washington Post reporter and Dartmouth alumnus Camille Powell did the other day when she walked into the Lady Terps practice with her dark green Big D sweater on. Now that's using her Ivy League brains.
Posted by: NC Terps Fan | March 24, 2009 3:48 PM
MD Women could be 5 time defending champions and playing the game in front yard, and chances are I'd pick watching American Idol over women's basketball. But hey, that's why TV's have 200 channels. Give me dunks and hard fouls over 6 passes before a 15' set shot. Sorry.
Posted by: mike | March 24, 2009 4:06 PM
This is a really silly question, and you didn't even come close to addressing it. Either you are not really attempting to answer the question or you don't have a clue about athletics in society.
Posted by: groove_jones | March 24, 2009 4:23 PM
I've got a 7 year old daughter. In my house the women get just as much, if not more, attention then the Men's team. She knows all the top players and has a stroke like Kristie Tolliver. It's a matter of preference and with a win tonight I will be in Raleigh taking my daughter to the games on Saturday.
Posted by: Bryon | March 24, 2009 4:54 PM
Gee...I dunno..boring, perhaps?
Posted by: Mr. Deez | March 24, 2009 5:57 PM
To all you gender bias critics: get over yourselves.
I've been to a few lady Terps games including the last two ACC Tournaments in Greensboro and yes they can play - both hard, physical, and sometimes dirty. They may not be able to dunk but they can play.
Besides, the Lady Terps know how to win too. Something I can't say for the men Terps who are back in class hitting the books thanks GV's mouth against Memphis.
Not only was I at Sunday's NCAA games in College Park, but I already have my tickets for the Raleigh Regional.
Beware UCONN, the LADY Turtles are coming for ya in St. Louis.
LET'S GO (LADY) TERPS.
Posted by: NC Terps Fan | March 24, 2009 6:08 PM
I enjoyed watching the Lady Terps more then the BOYS this year.
Posted by: Andy | March 24, 2009 10:03 PM
Why are those that have a mental and physical deficiency in matters of grey cells continue to perceive themselves as "GOD-LIKE", or ALL KNOWING. When by their own statements display pure limitations of less than 3 grey cells? When you develope a TRUE knowledge and understanding step up and make TRUE statements NOT PURE IDIOCY!!!
Posted by: jim thomas | March 25, 2009 12:44 AM
Oh and more thing for all the sexist men out there: you were born through a WOMEN.
Be thankful of your birth and respect the abilities of the opposite sex.
Lady Terps won last night and they're on their way to Raleigh. Ladys see ya Saturday.
Posted by: NC Terps Fan | March 25, 2009 9:30 AM