2009 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament: A Season of Upsets and UConn's Triumph
March Madness, a term synonymous with thrilling upsets and unforgettable moments, encapsulates the excitement of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. The tournament, featuring 64 teams vying for the national title, is a showcase of skill, strategy, and sheer determination. The 2009 edition was no exception, filled with unexpected outcomes and culminating in a dominant performance by the UConn Huskies.
Tournament Structure and Selection
The 2009 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament mirrored the structure of the men's tournament, with 64 teams competing in a single-elimination format. Thirty-one conferences were granted automatic bids to the tournament, with the remaining slots filled by at-large selections. In twenty-two cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. The sixty-four teams came from thirty-two states. Texas had the most teams with six bids. The subregionals, employing the "pod system" to keep teams close to their home cities, were held from March 21 to 24 at sixteen different sites. Regional winners then advanced to the Final Four, held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on April 5 and 7, 2009.
Early Round Upsets and Surprises
The 2009 tournament was marked by several notable upsets in the early rounds. Twelfth-seeded Ball State upset defending national champion Tennessee, which had never lost an opening game in the tournament before. Ninth-seeded Michigan State upset top-seeded Duke on their home floor, in a match up between Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie and her former team. Michigan State shot under 40% from the floor, but held Duke to under 27%. Seventh-seeded Rutgers upset second-seeded Auburn, scoring the first nine points and leading 13-2 early. Sixth-seeded Purdue upset third-seeded North Carolina. Seventh-seeded South Dakota State tied an NCAA record with 16 three-point goals to beat TCU. Ninth-seed Utah overwhelmed Villanova, winning by 30. Third-seeded Louisville beat LSU on LSU's home floor, ending LSU's NCAA record-tying streak of five consecutive appearances at the Final Four. Sixth-seeded Arizona State upset two seed Texas A&M.
These upsets highlighted the unpredictable nature of the tournament and the parity that exists in women's college basketball.
Standout Performances
Several individual performances stood out during the 2009 tournament. Stanford's Jayne Appel had a dominating performance against UC Santa Barbara with a double-double. Appel also set a new school record with 46 points against Iowa State, placing her in the NCAA Tournament record book with the third-highest point total in NCAA tournament history. Maryland's Marissa Coleman scored 42 points in a game against Vanderbilt. Oklahoma's Whitney Hand had a career-high 22 points against Pittsburgh. South Dakota State tied an NCAA record with 16 three-point goals to beat TCU.
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These outstanding performances showcased the talent and skill of individual players within the tournament.
The Final Four: A Clash of Titans
The 2009 Final Four featured Connecticut, Stanford, Louisville, and Oklahoma. Connecticut entered the Final Four with a dominant record, having won its last 37 games. Connecticut faced Stanford, the last team to have beaten them. Connecticut won 81-64. Louisville, making its first-ever Final Four appearance, faced Oklahoma. Louisville shook off the opening jitters and began scoring. The second half would open up almost a mirror image of the first half. Louisville outscored Oklahoma 15-1 to take their first lead. Oklahoma did not get a basket until more than seven minutes had elapsed. Connecticut and Louisville advanced to the championship game, marking the first-ever all-Big East Championship game.
Championship Game: UConn's Undefeated Season
The championship game between Connecticut and Louisville was a highly anticipated matchup between two Big East rivals. Angel McCoughtry tried to change the outcome this time, scoring eleven of Louisville's first 15 points, and assisting on two others, to take a 15-13 lead just over eight minutes into the game. Connecticut won 76-54, winning its sixth National Championship, and completing its third perfect season. Tina Charles would end the game with 25 points, 19 rebounds, and a trophy for the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament.
Historical Context and Significance
The 2009 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament holds a significant place in the history of the sport. UConn's victory marked their sixth national championship and third undefeated season, solidifying their status as one of the most dominant programs in women's college basketball. Geno Auriemma, head coach for UConn, has won an NCAA-record 11 women’s national championships. The late Pat Summitt is second on this list with 8 women’s national championships as head coach for Tennessee.
The upsets and thrilling games throughout the tournament further contributed to the growing popularity and excitement surrounding women's basketball.
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tags: #2009 #NCAA #Women's #Basketball #Tournament #bracket
