The Ladies Rock Cleveland

It was practice day at the women's Final 4 in Cleveland. What's unique about this practice day as opposed to the men is they have each school's band and cheerleaders performing while their respective team practices. It just gives more atmosphere to the event.

There were a lot of smiles in the Carolina locker room and at their practice. They were here a year ago and know the routine. What they didn't do last year in Boston was win a game in the final 4 and that was the strongest message from the Heels today. Tennessee was stern in their approach to the game. Not only have they lost their last 2 games to Carolina, the Vols are haunted by the lack of a national championship since 1998. Player of the year Candace Parker talked about the title drought saying they wanted to walk into Thompson-Boling arena and see their own national championship banner hanging. "We want to end the drought" said Parker. Tennessee has been to 17 Final 4's, Carolina 3. The Heels would like to add a banner to Carmichael beside the 1994 National Title cloth. The UNC/Tennessee meeting is so neat for women's basketball.

Duke coach Gail Goestenkors won the AP national coach of the year award for the first time in her career. Nice little nugget to add to the resume...as if Texas needed anything else to judge Coach G on. She is still mulling over the opportunity to coach the Longhorns, calling it one of the top jobs in the country. She hopes to have a decision soon to give her peace of mind and peace of heart. It's been a taxing process on the heels of Duke's bitter loss to Rutgers. I spoke with Duke guard Lindsay Harding today about the end to the season and while she tried to put on a good face, you could still see the way her career ended was incredibly hurtful. Two missed free throws and that's it folks, season over...career over.

So the men are down to Ohio State and Floriday. What a Monday it will be here in Ohio. The Buckeyes play for a national title, the Indians open the season in Chicago and the women's Final 4 is being played in LeBron's house. Not the new 35,000 unit but at Quickens Arena. I hope the Heels are still playing Tuesday as part of an unpredictable season of ACC basketball.