Hartford-Syracuse Preview

3/22/2008 9:10 AM

By ANDY LEFKOWITZ
STATS Editor

After a 20-loss season in 2006-07, Syracuse's stunning rise this season has carried them into the NCAA tournament.

The seventh-seeded Orange (22-8) make their first appearance in the field of 64 in six years Saturday, taking on America East tournament champion Hartford (27-5) in the Oklahoma City Regional at Baton Rouge, La.

Despite its amazing turnaround from a 9-20 finish last season, Syracuse thought things would come to a disappointing end after being upset by South Florida in the opening round of the Big East tournament March 8. On Monday, however, the Orange were selected for their fourth tournament appearance and first since 2002.

"We understand the NCAA tournament is a big stage. Only the best 64 teams in the country are chosen. Just to be one of those 64 is just great. We worked so hard all year," said freshman guard Erica Morrow, who will try to help Syracuse earn its first NCAA tournament win.

Coach Quentin Hillsman suffered through the 20-loss season in his first year guiding the Orange. After being picked to finish 14th in the Big East, though, Syracuse got off to a 13-1 start this season and was ranked for the first time in school history.

"Just to have a turnaround this quickly and to have a chance to move into the NCAA tournament is just so gratifying for all of us," Hillsman told the school's official Web site. "I knew we had a chance because I knew we had a lot of talent. But you never know how quickly you can do it. It's remarkable to see the talent we brought in and now watching them grow up."

Syracuse's talent is apparent in its balanced attack, as four players average at least 12.0 points. Junior guard Chandrea Jones leads the team with 15.2 points per game followed by Morrow (13.8), senior guard-forward Fantasia Goodwin (12.2) and sophomore forward Nicole Michael (12.0).

Hartford comes into the matchup with its major-conference opponent having won nine in a row, including a 61-45 victory over Boston University in the America East final Sunday. The win was especially satisfying after the Hawks lost by two points to UMBC in last season's title game.

"I felt like they played this weekend like they were on a mission," Hartford coach and former Connecticut star Jen Rizzotti said. "A year is a long time to wait to redeem yourself and they stayed focused. Today was a perfect example of how balanced we are as a team."

Senior guard Lisa Etienne, the tournament's most outstanding player, led the Hawks with 19 points and eight rebounds. Senior forward Danielle Hood added 14 points and six boards.

Hood was third in the conference with 16.1 points per game, making her the only Hartford player to average double figures in scoring.

Junior forward Erica Beverly and sophomore forward-center Diana Delva ranked second and third, respectively, in the America East in total rebounds. Beverly finished with 231, three more than Delva.

Saturday's winner will meet Texas A&M or Texas-San Antonio on Monday.