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When the Arkansas State women’s basketball team saw its name come up on the big screen during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, players reacted just like they always do– there was some dancing for the cameras, cheering and jumping up and down.
They did this despite learning their first-round opponent would be 11-time national champion UConn— but you can’t blame the Red Wolves. When No. 15 seed Arkansas State takes on the No. 2 Huskies in Storrs on Saturday, it will be making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
“It’s definitely surreal,” senior guard Anna Griffin told local news station KAIT-TV.. “It was definitely a big moment for us and for Arkansas State women’s basketball just to see our name on the big screen.”
“We’re excited,” head coach Destinee Rogers said. “This is a dream come true to coach against one of the GOATs of women’s basketball, but we’re not scared. We know what we do. No one’s going to predict us to win this game, so we have an opportunity to go into Storrs and just have a ton of confidence, be free, and be proud of what we’ve accomplished this year.”
Arkansas State (21-10, 15-3/Sun Belt) punched its ticket to the Big Dance after taking down James Madison, 86-79, in overtime in the Sun Belt championship game on March 10. The Dukes had been 20-0 in conference games and were riding a 20-game winning streak. They were snubbed on Selection Sunday though, with Arkansas State getting the lone bid out of the Sun Belt.
The Red Wolves also own a power-conference win, having knocked off Arizona State in Tempe in November, 100-96. The team plays a pesky, high-pressure style of basketball, which has proven difficult for some opponents. Nine of the eleven players on the roster are listed as guards, and all but one are under 6-foot-1. The Red Wolves have a balanced scoring output, with five players averaging between 7.9 and 11 points per game, led by leading scorer, 5-8 junior Zyion Shannon (11 ppg).
“We’ve seen them play a similar style in Tennessee, and Tennessee (beat UConn) this year,” Rogers said. “So I’m sure that they’ll go back to that film to try to game plan for us, but we feel confident about what we do. So I’m really excited for the opportunity.”
At a glance
Location: Jonesboro, Ark.
Enrollment: 16,687
Record: 21-10, 15-3, Sun Belt
Def. James Madison, 86-79 in Sun Belt championship
Leading scorer: Zyion Shannon (11.0 points per game)
*Making first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance
Continue reading...
They did this despite learning their first-round opponent would be 11-time national champion UConn— but you can’t blame the Red Wolves. When No. 15 seed Arkansas State takes on the No. 2 Huskies in Storrs on Saturday, it will be making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
“It’s definitely surreal,” senior guard Anna Griffin told local news station KAIT-TV.. “It was definitely a big moment for us and for Arkansas State women’s basketball just to see our name on the big screen.”
“We’re excited,” head coach Destinee Rogers said. “This is a dream come true to coach against one of the GOATs of women’s basketball, but we’re not scared. We know what we do. No one’s going to predict us to win this game, so we have an opportunity to go into Storrs and just have a ton of confidence, be free, and be proud of what we’ve accomplished this year.”
Arkansas State (21-10, 15-3/Sun Belt) punched its ticket to the Big Dance after taking down James Madison, 86-79, in overtime in the Sun Belt championship game on March 10. The Dukes had been 20-0 in conference games and were riding a 20-game winning streak. They were snubbed on Selection Sunday though, with Arkansas State getting the lone bid out of the Sun Belt.
The Red Wolves also own a power-conference win, having knocked off Arizona State in Tempe in November, 100-96. The team plays a pesky, high-pressure style of basketball, which has proven difficult for some opponents. Nine of the eleven players on the roster are listed as guards, and all but one are under 6-foot-1. The Red Wolves have a balanced scoring output, with five players averaging between 7.9 and 11 points per game, led by leading scorer, 5-8 junior Zyion Shannon (11 ppg).
“We’ve seen them play a similar style in Tennessee, and Tennessee (beat UConn) this year,” Rogers said. “So I’m sure that they’ll go back to that film to try to game plan for us, but we feel confident about what we do. So I’m really excited for the opportunity.”
At a glance
Location: Jonesboro, Ark.
Enrollment: 16,687
Record: 21-10, 15-3, Sun Belt
Def. James Madison, 86-79 in Sun Belt championship
Leading scorer: Zyion Shannon (11.0 points per game)
*Making first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance
Continue reading...
