|
LITTLE ROCK -- With Arkansas men's teams shut out on
Selection Sunday, two women's teams, the University of Arkansas and
Arkansas State, carried the state's postseason basketball hopes
into the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Second-year Lady Razorbacks coach Susie Gardner will get her
first taste of March tournament action Friday as she leads Arkansas
(16-13) against Nevada-Las Vegas (16-13) in Fayetteville. "We had a great practice today in anticipation of playing,"
Gardner said. "We're excited that the season will continue, and we
are extra-excited we're playing in Walton (Arena)." Arkansas State (19-10) will face Mississippi State (17-11) in a
first round game, although the day and site were not yet known
Sunday evening. Lady Indians head coach Brian Boyer said he had
felt confident about his team's NIT chances for some time, but
admitted feeling more and more nervous by the end of last week. "Until you actually get the phone call, you never really
know," Boyer said Friday. If both Arkansas teams win their first-round games, they will
face each other at a site to be determined, Arkansas' athletic
department said Sunday. Arkansas had a Rating Percentage Index of 63 and Arkansas
State's RPI was 74 as of just before the selection announcements
Sunday evening.
|
