UConn and Georgia loom, but Duke's focus is on first-round foe Southern

3/16/2006 8:17 PM

Bracket pundits are already pointing toward a potential regional final matchup against No. 2 seed and 2004 national champion Connecticut for Duke, but the Blue Devils insist they aren't looking past their first-round opponent in the 2006 NCAA women's tournament.

The top-seeded Blue Devils (26-3) open their quest for a first NCAA women's basketball championship Sunday against 16th-seeded Southern (20-10) in the Bridgeport Regional at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va.

``I think we have a great bracket,'' Duke senior Jessica Foley said. ``I'm really excited about the possible matchups with UConn or Georgia but, of course, we're taking it one game at a time and have to get past Southern first.''

Duke is making its 12th straight NCAA women's tournament appearance. It finished the regular season ranked fourth in the nation and is trying to shake off a 78-70 loss to Maryland in the semifinals of the ACC tournament.

``I think we're in a really good position ...,'' Duke coach Gail Goestenkors said. ``At the same time, we're not the No. 1 overall seed. There's a certain amount of pressure that comes with that as well that we've experienced in the past. I think it's a really good position for us to be in.''

The Blue Devils, awarded a No. 1 seed for the fifth time in the last six years, have made eight consecutive appearances in the regional semifinals but are looking for their first Final Four appearance since 2003. Last year, Duke lost to LSU in the regional final.

``We've always expected that we would be a No. 1 seed,'' Duke senior forward Mistie Williams said. ``We have had losses, but look who we lost to ... phenomenal teams, a No. 1 (North Carolina) and a No. 2 seed (Maryland). I think going into this tournament this team is going to be pretty confident and ready to get it started.''

Senior guard Monique Curry leads the Blue Devils in scoring at 16.3 points per game while fellow seniors Mistie Williams (11.6 ppg) and Lindsey Harding (10.7 ppg) also average in double figures.

Southern claimed an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament by winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament and enters the game on a seven-game winning streak. Rolanda Monroe averages 18.3 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Jaguars, who are making their third NCAA tournament appearance in school history.

Junior center Fredrieka Lewis had 35 blocked shots and is second on the team in scoring at 11.0 points per game.

The winner plays either eighth-seeded Southern California (18-11) or No. 9 seed South Florida in the second round Tuesday.