Bowling Green State University Athletics
Follow The Falcons In Louisville By Blog
March 18, 2010 | Women's Basketball
The Bowling Green Athletics Communications Office will be blogging throughout the women's basketball team's trip to Louisville for the 2010 NCAA Championships. The Falcons face Michigan State Saturday at 12:11 p.m. in the first round. Continue to come back here throughout the weekend as we update.
(Saturday, March 20, 2:03 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Coach Curt Miller is emptying the bench with 44 seconds left. Falcons trail 72-62 and it looks like BG will lose to a strong Michigan State squad. Check back to BGSUFalcons.com tonight as we have complete wrap-up of the game and a fantastic 2009-10 season!
(Saturday, March 20, 1:53 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Into the final media timeout. BG's needs to find the shooting touch down the stretch here. Michigan State leads 64-54 with 3:16 to go. Falcons will have the ball coming out of the break here.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:39 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Much like the MAC Tournament Championship game against Toledo, BG may need Lauren Prochaska to take over here. This one's starting to unravel just a bit. 58-49 MSU with 7:41 to go. Still certainly within reach but the Falcons need some offense soon.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:29 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Tracy Pontius hits her fifth three-pointer of the game and Tamika Nurse takes a charge heading into the second media timeout. Pontius has tied her season high with five three's and her career high is eight. At this rate, she's got a shot at that one too. And BG may need another three from her if they are gonna pull off this upset.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:27 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Coach Miller has seen enough. MSU has extended the lead to eight at 49-41 and he sends both Tara Breske and Lauren Prochaska back into the game with three fouls apiece. Maggie Hennegan was all alone on a breakaway and BG is trying to get back into this one. Prochaska had a three up to get it back to within three but it rattled off the rim.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:19 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - We had a short stoppage here as Jen Uhl had a cut on her leg but Michigan State has come out to take control of things. MSU on a 9-3 run into the first media timeout to take a 45-39 lead. Lauren Prochaska scored BG's only points on a three-pointer and she'll be going to the line coming out of the media timeout with 11 points.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:09 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Some quick halftime notes. Lauren Prochaska's two three-pointers gives her 91 which ties her for second in MAC history for single season three-pointers with Keyla Snowden, who played one season at Akron, before transferring to Kentucky and is sitting in the stands waiting to play in the next game. Tamika Nurse with seven first-half rebounds ties her BGSU career high and leaves her one shy of her overall career high when she had eight at Oregon in January of 2008. BG made 8-of-16 three-pointers and surprisingly held a 21-19 rebound advantage, including 6-4 on the offensive glass. A really clean game with just 12 turnovers combined (seven from BGSU). Michigan State holds an 18-2 advantage in points in the paint.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:56 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Jen Uhl hits BG's eighth three-pointer of the first half and this place went wild. Falcons are 8-of-15 on three's this half and the Michigan State players have to be wondering how to defend this array of shooters. One player who has really impressed me in the first half is Chrissie Steffen. She has not shied away from the big stage despite being a freshman. All tied at 36-36 at the half.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:51 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Tracy Pontius has found her game! She's got four three-pointers in the first half and is carrying the Falcons right now! Her last one gave BG a 31-30 lead with about 2:30 to go. Her offensive contributions have been huge with Prochaska saddled with two fouls and sitting the bench for much of this half.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:41 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - It appears Allyssa DeHaan has reinjured her back and that something is wrong with Aisha Jefferson. Michigan State has just picked up its seventh foul and the Falcons will be shooting 1-and-1 the rest of the way. Tamika Nurse finally got her first points with a pair of free-throws as MSU leads 22-20. Then Jen Uhl gets an offensive rebound and a 12-foot baseline jumper to tie it back up. This one's got serious potential to go down to the wire.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:31 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - This game is turning into a contest of runs already. MSU with 8 straight, BG counters with 15 in a row, and then MSU back with 10 in a row to take the lead right back. Michigan State starting to do a much better job on the boards. But BG rips down an offensive rebound and Tracy Pontius hits from deep to tie it back up. Quite a chess match going on here.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:23 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Allyssa DeHaan ends the run with a nifty baseline jumper and Lykendra Johnson follows with 1-of-2 free-throws to settle down the Spartans and cut BG's lead to four. Tara Breske picks up a loose ball foul, her second of the half, as we go to a media timeout. Prochaska's gotten an extended rest on the bench, which is good that BG is still up four as she has one foul.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:23 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - The freshman Chrissy Steffen stepping up with a 3-ball and that's 11 in a row for the Falcons since falling behind 8-0. Tara Breske follows with a fade-away jumper for 13 straight! The chants of DE-FENSE are getting loud. Then Maggie Hennegan follows inside for 15 in a row! 15-8 and Michigan State is forced to call a timeout. Not sure anyone expected 15 straight and a dominant effort on the boards by BGSU so far.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:21 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Watching Sparty perform at the media timeout. He has a chin a lot like a certain late night talk show host. And he looks like he's been working out. He is one buff dude.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:19 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Lauren Prochaska with an 8-0 run all by herself and we're tied at 8-8 at the first media timeout with 15:08 to go. She's getting the shooter's roll and making the Spartans pay right now. BG has a lot more hop to its step right now and the arena is getting louder and louder!
(Saturday, March 20, 12:15 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - BG looking a bit tentative early, especially on the defensive end. Lykendra Johnson scores five straight to give MSU an 8-0 lead and Curt Miller needs a timeout. The Falcons are getting good looks offensively but just not finishing right now. And just as we say that, Lauren Prochaska knocks down a three, followed by an MSU turnover.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:12 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Opening tip is 6-foot-9 DeHaan against 6-foot Breske. Believe it not, Michigan State wins the tip but it was a lot closer than I would have expected. And MSU comes away with a completely uncontested three-pointer on the opening possession. DeHaan takes up a LOT of space in the paint. Falcons, though, get an offensive rebound on the opening possession but throw it away.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:08 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Don't Stop Believin' blaring through the arena with an NCAA Tournament highlight package. Starting lineups are being announced. Michigan State's starters are Aisha Jefferson, Lykendra Johnson, Allyssa DeHaan, Jasmine Thomas, and Brittney Thomas.
(Saturday, March 20, 11:55 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - Each team is allowed only one mascot in the house so Frieda got the call today. Frieda carries a lot of good mojo as she was in Cleveland for the MAC Tournament. Just got done with the National Anthem and BG is on the floor warming up. Michigan State is in the lockerroom.
(Saturday, March 20, 11:51 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - Quite a different atmosphere in historic Freedom Hall when the two teams arrived. When Michigan State came in, there was a polite applause from the crowd. When BG came in, you could hear the roar. Roll Along Falcons!
(Saturday, March 20, 11:47 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - BG's starting five will be the same as usual -- Tamika Nurse, Lauren Prochaska, Tracy Pontius, Jen Uhl, and Tara Breske. And by the way, Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan is tall, if you haven't heard that yet.
(Saturday, March 20, 11:26 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - Brian, our Assistant AD for Marketing, put a somewhat small flag over one of the tables right behind the BG bench and we were told by the Division I Tournament Committee representative that we had to take it down. He's obviously a Michigan State fan. :)
Thought I should quickly give out links to ways to follow the game if you aren't in Freedom Hall.
ESPN2 Broadcast as 12:11 p.m.; If you don't have ESPN2 or aren't in the area to watch the game, follow it on ESPN360.com
WBGU Radio Broadcast
(Saturday, March 20, 11:22 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - We've arrived in Anderson Arena, err, Freedom Hall. Right now it feels a lot like Anderson as BG fans outnumber Michigan State fans about 100-1 in the arena. It is a sea of orange with a few blue shirts (for Kentucky) littered throughout. I'll be blogging here throughout today's contest so if you can't be here to root on the Falcons, this is one way to follow the contest.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:10 AM, post by Mike Cihon) - Tipoff is 12 hours and one minute away, which means I ought to get some sleep. But, I just came across a few feature stories from hometown papers, one on senior co-captain Tara Breske and one on junior Chelsea Albert. Chelsea's sister, Morgan, is a freshman on the women's basketball team at Vermont, and the Catamounts are in the NCAA Tournament as well. UVM plays at the Notre Dame site on Sunday, meaning a busy weekend of travel for the Albert family. OK, I'm off to bed -- see you at Freedom Hall or here at BGSUFalcons.com tomorrow!
(Friday, March 19, 9:41 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Those who got the privelege to attend Bowling Green's practice at Freedom Hall today got a glimpse into what makes this program one of the premier mid-major programs in the country. Rebecca Lobo commented on the intensity of the practice and compared it to practices at Connecticut. ESPN.com's Graham Hays tweeted this evening, "BGSU had the day's most intense practice." Some may have wondered if it was Coach trying to jam as much work into the team's one-hour of court time as possible or if the practice was some sort of show, but for those of us who have been around enough of his practices, we know that it was just like every other practice run by Coach Miller. It's a great credit to his coaching style, his personality, and his care for his student-athletes that he can run practices that intensely every day but not burn out the players or have them tail off at the end of the year. The players have witnessed the type of success that intensity brings with it.
(Friday, March 19, 9:11 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Graham Hays' latest ESPN.com article is on Tamika Nurse and the road she took to Bowling Green. Check it out here: Nurse Finally Finds Way To Falcons
(Friday, March 19, 7:40 PM, post by Mike Cihon) - Dear Tony Roma's, Thank you for the wonderful meal. I have been in a food coma for over an hour now, but finally am able to move my fingers to type this blog update.
The team had dinner at -- guess where? -- Tony Roma's, and what a great dinner it was. Everyone seemed/seems in good spirits on the eve of the game. After dinner, the Falcon travel party returned to the hotel, and the team will have a brief film/scout session this evening before getting some rest before the big game.
As for the game, ESPN's coverage maps are now available. There are four games beginning roughly at noon tomorrow, so many areas will receive the ESPN2 national telecast which will utilite the 'whiparound' format, showing the most compelling action from multiple games.
If you are smarter than I am and/or have access to more channels than I do (both are likely), there are a myriad of options, including DirecTV, ESPN FullCourt, etc. I do not understand many of these things -- I merely provide the link to the coverage maps. You're welcome.
(Friday, March 19, 4:35 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - If a picture tells a thousand words, 29,000 words were just added to the site. Brad Phalin of BGSU's Office of Marketing & Communications is in Louisville and attended the media and practice sessions today. We've added some of his photos to the web site. The photo gallery is attached to the related story, or can be accessed by clicking here.
(Friday, March 19, 3:54 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Want to say thanks to Natalie Grise of WTOL for making it down for today's press conference and practice today. Understandably, she was the only local media able to get down in time for those events today as her family lives in the area. Still, she covered high school hoops in the Toledo area last night and made the trek down after midnight to get here in time. That's dedicated coverage!
Now, on to the media coverage around the web. Here's some of the latest stories and coverage of BGSU women's hoops:
Andrew Weber photo on ESPN The Life from the MAC Tournament
The Sentinel-Tribune's Jack Carle writes on Jen Uhl's Energy
The BG News' Andrew Harner writes about Tamika Nurse's transfer
(Friday, March 19, 3:47 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - Audio from the Falcons' press conference earlier this afternoon is now available by clicking here. In the meantime, we also got word that Lauren Prochaska has been named the MAC's Scholar-Athlete of the Week. The Falcons are getting it done in the classroom, in the media room AND on the court!
(Friday, March 19, 3:12 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - The team is back at the hotel after a busy couple of hours at Freedom Hall. The players and assistant coaches arrived at the arena around noon, and met with the media prior to practice. Curt Miller, along with Tara Breske, Tamika Nurse and Lauren Prochaska were ushered to the media interview area, where they fielded questions for close to 20 minutes. Audio of that press conference will be available here at BGSUFalcons.com soon.
While those four individuals were in the media room, the BGSU lockerroom area was open to media members as well. Several national media members, including ESPN.com's Graham Hays, talked to members of the BGSU program.
On a related note, I hope Tamika Nurse remembers me someday, when ESPN names her lead anchor of their new ESPN Ontario channel/web site. She was one of the people that Graham Hays interviewed, and she also met with the TV talent, Justin Kutcher and Rebecca Lobo. In all seriousness, Tamika would be a great hire for any TV station. She did a phenomenal job in the interview room and in her one-on-one interviews. Tara and Lauren did a great job at the podium, and Coach Miller is a walking sound-byte.
The Falcons had a spirited practice at Freedom Hall, and (name-dropping alert) Rebecca Lobo mentioned how impressed she was with the energy the team showed. That's quite a compliment for Coach Miller and his program, as the energy level was the same as it is at every practice.
OK, time to get that press conference audio on the web site. Talk at you soon.
(Friday, March 19, 11:31 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Mike Cihon, Jim Elsasser and I are at the media center listening in to Michigan State's press conference right now. We had administrative meetings this morning to go over all the tiny details of competing in an NCAA Tournament. Greg Christopher is the Division I committee representative here in Louisville so we've got a lot of good support here. Doing a bit of research, Coach Curt Miller is 6-6 all-time against Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant-led teams. Miller went 6-5 against Eastern Michigan during her tenure there and is 0-1 against Michigan State (with that loss in the WNIT two years ago).
(Thursday, March 18, 9:35 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - We haven't had much time to post since early this afternoon. A pretty uneventful bus ride, which is always a good thing, was followed by us pulling into the hotel and seeing a Bowling Green flag flying proudly at the hotel and all the staff wearing Bowling Green t-shirts. That definitely made the team feel at home and comfortable here in Louisville. From there, we basically just dropped all our stuff off in our hotel rooms and then went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Once we got back, the team went to film/scouting session and a few of us administrator-types took a quick trip to Freedom Hall to figure out where we need to be for some early morning meetings tomorrow. All the while, we were following and rooting on the Ohio Bobcats in their men's NCAA Tournament game. Congrats to them on representing the MAC well and hopefully inspiring our team on what can be done in the Big Dance!
(Thursday, March 18, 2:08 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - Wow, that's got to be a record for Cheez-It references in an NCAA-related blog.
(Thursday, March 18, 2:07 PM, posted by Mike Cihon - Several of us are watching games from the NCAA Men's Tournament on our laptops as we pass through the Lima area. Three good games going on right now - the only blowout is the number-one-seeded Mike Cihon vs. a No. 16 box of Cheez-Its. It was over before it began -- this is why I have 94% body fat.
(Thursday, March 18, 2:04 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - As we all sit here on the bus trying to keep up with early scores from the men's NCAA Tournament (quote of the day from Mike Cihon -- "I'm a 1 seed and this box of Cheez-Its is a 16 seed. I'm gonna destroy it.") and watching Hurt Locker, I was thinking about how you defend 6-foot-9 Allyssa DeHaan. I don't envy the task ahead for Tara Breske or for Coach Miller, who I'm sure is devising a gameplan as we speak, but I'm pretty sure he'll come up with something. You don't win as many games as he has without finding ways to minimize apparent mismatches like that.
(Thursday, March 18, 1:46 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - Just wanted to say hello and echo Jason's comments. Thanks to everyone who came out to Anderson to see the team off. The players and coaches got a kick out of the send-off, and the police escort. Thanks to the members of the BGSU men's and women's soccer staffs who parked in the Kreischer parking lot to wave to the bus as it passed by. It gave the police escort a parade-like feel.
Jason has posted a number of links to various newspaper articles today. Yesterday's media event reflected the interest in this team. There was a large media contingent at Anderson, and several players and coaches did phone interviews with media from Michigan State and from their various hometowns. If I recall correctly, at least 12 players and three coaches were interviewed at least once. That media interest reflects the interest that you, the fans, have in this team, so thanks again for all of your support. On to Louisville!
(Thursday, March 18, 1:24 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - We are officially on the road! We had a great send-off with a lot of people coming to Anderson Arena to wish the team well. The team appreciates all the support. We got a police escort out of Bowling Green and it got our trip off on the right foot. The team is excited to be on the road and heading to Louisville.
(Thursday, March 18, 10:02 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Jessica Slagle was featured in an article by Rob Kiser in the Piqua Daily Call. Read it right here: Walking On Air
(Thursday, March 18, 9:52 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Our local media covers our women's basketball team as well as any in the country and I'd be remiss if I didn't link off to the various stories they've written for today. So, take some time and read up on the Falcons!
The Toledo Blade's Don Emmons features Tamika Nurse
The Sentinel-Tribune's Jack Carle talks about the Falcons' depth
The BG News' Paul Barney talks about how pivotal post play will be against Michigan State
For stories on the Falcons from throughout the 2009-10 season, CLICK HERE or access the '2009-10 News Clips' link on the women's basketball home page right here at BGSUFalcons.com. The link hasn't yet been updated today, but perhaps the women's basketball SID will stop being such a slacker and update it with today's stories sometime this afternoon or evening. (And yes, this final paragraph was typed by women's basketball SID Mike Cihon.)
(Thursday, March 18, 9:44 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Everyone's making final preparations for today's trip as we leave for Louisville at 1 p.m. Fans are invited to come to Anderson Arena to send the team off. Anytime we find some good media stories, we'll post them here and the first comes from ESPN's Graham Hays. Hays talks about five players to watch for the NCAA Tournament and Lauren Prochaska is one of those five. We all know what kind of player Lauren is, but we're excited that the rest of the country is going to get the opportunity Saturday to see as well. Read the story here: Graham Hays' Five Players To Watch
(Saturday, March 20, 2:03 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Coach Curt Miller is emptying the bench with 44 seconds left. Falcons trail 72-62 and it looks like BG will lose to a strong Michigan State squad. Check back to BGSUFalcons.com tonight as we have complete wrap-up of the game and a fantastic 2009-10 season!
(Saturday, March 20, 1:53 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Into the final media timeout. BG's needs to find the shooting touch down the stretch here. Michigan State leads 64-54 with 3:16 to go. Falcons will have the ball coming out of the break here.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:39 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Much like the MAC Tournament Championship game against Toledo, BG may need Lauren Prochaska to take over here. This one's starting to unravel just a bit. 58-49 MSU with 7:41 to go. Still certainly within reach but the Falcons need some offense soon.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:29 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Tracy Pontius hits her fifth three-pointer of the game and Tamika Nurse takes a charge heading into the second media timeout. Pontius has tied her season high with five three's and her career high is eight. At this rate, she's got a shot at that one too. And BG may need another three from her if they are gonna pull off this upset.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:27 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Coach Miller has seen enough. MSU has extended the lead to eight at 49-41 and he sends both Tara Breske and Lauren Prochaska back into the game with three fouls apiece. Maggie Hennegan was all alone on a breakaway and BG is trying to get back into this one. Prochaska had a three up to get it back to within three but it rattled off the rim.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:19 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - We had a short stoppage here as Jen Uhl had a cut on her leg but Michigan State has come out to take control of things. MSU on a 9-3 run into the first media timeout to take a 45-39 lead. Lauren Prochaska scored BG's only points on a three-pointer and she'll be going to the line coming out of the media timeout with 11 points.
(Saturday, March 20, 1:09 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Some quick halftime notes. Lauren Prochaska's two three-pointers gives her 91 which ties her for second in MAC history for single season three-pointers with Keyla Snowden, who played one season at Akron, before transferring to Kentucky and is sitting in the stands waiting to play in the next game. Tamika Nurse with seven first-half rebounds ties her BGSU career high and leaves her one shy of her overall career high when she had eight at Oregon in January of 2008. BG made 8-of-16 three-pointers and surprisingly held a 21-19 rebound advantage, including 6-4 on the offensive glass. A really clean game with just 12 turnovers combined (seven from BGSU). Michigan State holds an 18-2 advantage in points in the paint.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:56 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Jen Uhl hits BG's eighth three-pointer of the first half and this place went wild. Falcons are 8-of-15 on three's this half and the Michigan State players have to be wondering how to defend this array of shooters. One player who has really impressed me in the first half is Chrissie Steffen. She has not shied away from the big stage despite being a freshman. All tied at 36-36 at the half.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:51 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Tracy Pontius has found her game! She's got four three-pointers in the first half and is carrying the Falcons right now! Her last one gave BG a 31-30 lead with about 2:30 to go. Her offensive contributions have been huge with Prochaska saddled with two fouls and sitting the bench for much of this half.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:41 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - It appears Allyssa DeHaan has reinjured her back and that something is wrong with Aisha Jefferson. Michigan State has just picked up its seventh foul and the Falcons will be shooting 1-and-1 the rest of the way. Tamika Nurse finally got her first points with a pair of free-throws as MSU leads 22-20. Then Jen Uhl gets an offensive rebound and a 12-foot baseline jumper to tie it back up. This one's got serious potential to go down to the wire.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:31 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - This game is turning into a contest of runs already. MSU with 8 straight, BG counters with 15 in a row, and then MSU back with 10 in a row to take the lead right back. Michigan State starting to do a much better job on the boards. But BG rips down an offensive rebound and Tracy Pontius hits from deep to tie it back up. Quite a chess match going on here.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:23 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Allyssa DeHaan ends the run with a nifty baseline jumper and Lykendra Johnson follows with 1-of-2 free-throws to settle down the Spartans and cut BG's lead to four. Tara Breske picks up a loose ball foul, her second of the half, as we go to a media timeout. Prochaska's gotten an extended rest on the bench, which is good that BG is still up four as she has one foul.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:23 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - The freshman Chrissy Steffen stepping up with a 3-ball and that's 11 in a row for the Falcons since falling behind 8-0. Tara Breske follows with a fade-away jumper for 13 straight! The chants of DE-FENSE are getting loud. Then Maggie Hennegan follows inside for 15 in a row! 15-8 and Michigan State is forced to call a timeout. Not sure anyone expected 15 straight and a dominant effort on the boards by BGSU so far.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:21 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Watching Sparty perform at the media timeout. He has a chin a lot like a certain late night talk show host. And he looks like he's been working out. He is one buff dude.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:19 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Lauren Prochaska with an 8-0 run all by herself and we're tied at 8-8 at the first media timeout with 15:08 to go. She's getting the shooter's roll and making the Spartans pay right now. BG has a lot more hop to its step right now and the arena is getting louder and louder!
(Saturday, March 20, 12:15 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - BG looking a bit tentative early, especially on the defensive end. Lykendra Johnson scores five straight to give MSU an 8-0 lead and Curt Miller needs a timeout. The Falcons are getting good looks offensively but just not finishing right now. And just as we say that, Lauren Prochaska knocks down a three, followed by an MSU turnover.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:12 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Opening tip is 6-foot-9 DeHaan against 6-foot Breske. Believe it not, Michigan State wins the tip but it was a lot closer than I would have expected. And MSU comes away with a completely uncontested three-pointer on the opening possession. DeHaan takes up a LOT of space in the paint. Falcons, though, get an offensive rebound on the opening possession but throw it away.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:08 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Don't Stop Believin' blaring through the arena with an NCAA Tournament highlight package. Starting lineups are being announced. Michigan State's starters are Aisha Jefferson, Lykendra Johnson, Allyssa DeHaan, Jasmine Thomas, and Brittney Thomas.
(Saturday, March 20, 11:55 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - Each team is allowed only one mascot in the house so Frieda got the call today. Frieda carries a lot of good mojo as she was in Cleveland for the MAC Tournament. Just got done with the National Anthem and BG is on the floor warming up. Michigan State is in the lockerroom.
(Saturday, March 20, 11:51 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - Quite a different atmosphere in historic Freedom Hall when the two teams arrived. When Michigan State came in, there was a polite applause from the crowd. When BG came in, you could hear the roar. Roll Along Falcons!
(Saturday, March 20, 11:47 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - BG's starting five will be the same as usual -- Tamika Nurse, Lauren Prochaska, Tracy Pontius, Jen Uhl, and Tara Breske. And by the way, Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan is tall, if you haven't heard that yet.
(Saturday, March 20, 11:26 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - Brian, our Assistant AD for Marketing, put a somewhat small flag over one of the tables right behind the BG bench and we were told by the Division I Tournament Committee representative that we had to take it down. He's obviously a Michigan State fan. :)
Thought I should quickly give out links to ways to follow the game if you aren't in Freedom Hall.
ESPN2 Broadcast as 12:11 p.m.; If you don't have ESPN2 or aren't in the area to watch the game, follow it on ESPN360.com
WBGU Radio Broadcast
(Saturday, March 20, 11:22 AM, post by Jason Knavel) - We've arrived in Anderson Arena, err, Freedom Hall. Right now it feels a lot like Anderson as BG fans outnumber Michigan State fans about 100-1 in the arena. It is a sea of orange with a few blue shirts (for Kentucky) littered throughout. I'll be blogging here throughout today's contest so if you can't be here to root on the Falcons, this is one way to follow the contest.
(Saturday, March 20, 12:10 AM, post by Mike Cihon) - Tipoff is 12 hours and one minute away, which means I ought to get some sleep. But, I just came across a few feature stories from hometown papers, one on senior co-captain Tara Breske and one on junior Chelsea Albert. Chelsea's sister, Morgan, is a freshman on the women's basketball team at Vermont, and the Catamounts are in the NCAA Tournament as well. UVM plays at the Notre Dame site on Sunday, meaning a busy weekend of travel for the Albert family. OK, I'm off to bed -- see you at Freedom Hall or here at BGSUFalcons.com tomorrow!
(Friday, March 19, 9:41 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Those who got the privelege to attend Bowling Green's practice at Freedom Hall today got a glimpse into what makes this program one of the premier mid-major programs in the country. Rebecca Lobo commented on the intensity of the practice and compared it to practices at Connecticut. ESPN.com's Graham Hays tweeted this evening, "BGSU had the day's most intense practice." Some may have wondered if it was Coach trying to jam as much work into the team's one-hour of court time as possible or if the practice was some sort of show, but for those of us who have been around enough of his practices, we know that it was just like every other practice run by Coach Miller. It's a great credit to his coaching style, his personality, and his care for his student-athletes that he can run practices that intensely every day but not burn out the players or have them tail off at the end of the year. The players have witnessed the type of success that intensity brings with it.
(Friday, March 19, 9:11 PM, post by Jason Knavel) - Graham Hays' latest ESPN.com article is on Tamika Nurse and the road she took to Bowling Green. Check it out here: Nurse Finally Finds Way To Falcons
(Friday, March 19, 7:40 PM, post by Mike Cihon) - Dear Tony Roma's, Thank you for the wonderful meal. I have been in a food coma for over an hour now, but finally am able to move my fingers to type this blog update.
The team had dinner at -- guess where? -- Tony Roma's, and what a great dinner it was. Everyone seemed/seems in good spirits on the eve of the game. After dinner, the Falcon travel party returned to the hotel, and the team will have a brief film/scout session this evening before getting some rest before the big game.
As for the game, ESPN's coverage maps are now available. There are four games beginning roughly at noon tomorrow, so many areas will receive the ESPN2 national telecast which will utilite the 'whiparound' format, showing the most compelling action from multiple games.
If you are smarter than I am and/or have access to more channels than I do (both are likely), there are a myriad of options, including DirecTV, ESPN FullCourt, etc. I do not understand many of these things -- I merely provide the link to the coverage maps. You're welcome.
(Friday, March 19, 4:35 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - If a picture tells a thousand words, 29,000 words were just added to the site. Brad Phalin of BGSU's Office of Marketing & Communications is in Louisville and attended the media and practice sessions today. We've added some of his photos to the web site. The photo gallery is attached to the related story, or can be accessed by clicking here.
(Friday, March 19, 3:54 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Want to say thanks to Natalie Grise of WTOL for making it down for today's press conference and practice today. Understandably, she was the only local media able to get down in time for those events today as her family lives in the area. Still, she covered high school hoops in the Toledo area last night and made the trek down after midnight to get here in time. That's dedicated coverage!
Now, on to the media coverage around the web. Here's some of the latest stories and coverage of BGSU women's hoops:
Andrew Weber photo on ESPN The Life from the MAC Tournament
The Sentinel-Tribune's Jack Carle writes on Jen Uhl's Energy
The BG News' Andrew Harner writes about Tamika Nurse's transfer
(Friday, March 19, 3:47 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - Audio from the Falcons' press conference earlier this afternoon is now available by clicking here. In the meantime, we also got word that Lauren Prochaska has been named the MAC's Scholar-Athlete of the Week. The Falcons are getting it done in the classroom, in the media room AND on the court!
(Friday, March 19, 3:12 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - The team is back at the hotel after a busy couple of hours at Freedom Hall. The players and assistant coaches arrived at the arena around noon, and met with the media prior to practice. Curt Miller, along with Tara Breske, Tamika Nurse and Lauren Prochaska were ushered to the media interview area, where they fielded questions for close to 20 minutes. Audio of that press conference will be available here at BGSUFalcons.com soon.
While those four individuals were in the media room, the BGSU lockerroom area was open to media members as well. Several national media members, including ESPN.com's Graham Hays, talked to members of the BGSU program.
On a related note, I hope Tamika Nurse remembers me someday, when ESPN names her lead anchor of their new ESPN Ontario channel/web site. She was one of the people that Graham Hays interviewed, and she also met with the TV talent, Justin Kutcher and Rebecca Lobo. In all seriousness, Tamika would be a great hire for any TV station. She did a phenomenal job in the interview room and in her one-on-one interviews. Tara and Lauren did a great job at the podium, and Coach Miller is a walking sound-byte.
The Falcons had a spirited practice at Freedom Hall, and (name-dropping alert) Rebecca Lobo mentioned how impressed she was with the energy the team showed. That's quite a compliment for Coach Miller and his program, as the energy level was the same as it is at every practice.
OK, time to get that press conference audio on the web site. Talk at you soon.
(Friday, March 19, 11:31 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Mike Cihon, Jim Elsasser and I are at the media center listening in to Michigan State's press conference right now. We had administrative meetings this morning to go over all the tiny details of competing in an NCAA Tournament. Greg Christopher is the Division I committee representative here in Louisville so we've got a lot of good support here. Doing a bit of research, Coach Curt Miller is 6-6 all-time against Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant-led teams. Miller went 6-5 against Eastern Michigan during her tenure there and is 0-1 against Michigan State (with that loss in the WNIT two years ago).
(Thursday, March 18, 9:35 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - We haven't had much time to post since early this afternoon. A pretty uneventful bus ride, which is always a good thing, was followed by us pulling into the hotel and seeing a Bowling Green flag flying proudly at the hotel and all the staff wearing Bowling Green t-shirts. That definitely made the team feel at home and comfortable here in Louisville. From there, we basically just dropped all our stuff off in our hotel rooms and then went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Once we got back, the team went to film/scouting session and a few of us administrator-types took a quick trip to Freedom Hall to figure out where we need to be for some early morning meetings tomorrow. All the while, we were following and rooting on the Ohio Bobcats in their men's NCAA Tournament game. Congrats to them on representing the MAC well and hopefully inspiring our team on what can be done in the Big Dance!
(Thursday, March 18, 2:08 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - Wow, that's got to be a record for Cheez-It references in an NCAA-related blog.
(Thursday, March 18, 2:07 PM, posted by Mike Cihon - Several of us are watching games from the NCAA Men's Tournament on our laptops as we pass through the Lima area. Three good games going on right now - the only blowout is the number-one-seeded Mike Cihon vs. a No. 16 box of Cheez-Its. It was over before it began -- this is why I have 94% body fat.
(Thursday, March 18, 2:04 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - As we all sit here on the bus trying to keep up with early scores from the men's NCAA Tournament (quote of the day from Mike Cihon -- "I'm a 1 seed and this box of Cheez-Its is a 16 seed. I'm gonna destroy it.") and watching Hurt Locker, I was thinking about how you defend 6-foot-9 Allyssa DeHaan. I don't envy the task ahead for Tara Breske or for Coach Miller, who I'm sure is devising a gameplan as we speak, but I'm pretty sure he'll come up with something. You don't win as many games as he has without finding ways to minimize apparent mismatches like that.
(Thursday, March 18, 1:46 PM, posted by Mike Cihon) - Just wanted to say hello and echo Jason's comments. Thanks to everyone who came out to Anderson to see the team off. The players and coaches got a kick out of the send-off, and the police escort. Thanks to the members of the BGSU men's and women's soccer staffs who parked in the Kreischer parking lot to wave to the bus as it passed by. It gave the police escort a parade-like feel.
Jason has posted a number of links to various newspaper articles today. Yesterday's media event reflected the interest in this team. There was a large media contingent at Anderson, and several players and coaches did phone interviews with media from Michigan State and from their various hometowns. If I recall correctly, at least 12 players and three coaches were interviewed at least once. That media interest reflects the interest that you, the fans, have in this team, so thanks again for all of your support. On to Louisville!
(Thursday, March 18, 1:24 PM, posted by Jason Knavel) - We are officially on the road! We had a great send-off with a lot of people coming to Anderson Arena to wish the team well. The team appreciates all the support. We got a police escort out of Bowling Green and it got our trip off on the right foot. The team is excited to be on the road and heading to Louisville.
(Thursday, March 18, 10:02 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Jessica Slagle was featured in an article by Rob Kiser in the Piqua Daily Call. Read it right here: Walking On Air
(Thursday, March 18, 9:52 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Our local media covers our women's basketball team as well as any in the country and I'd be remiss if I didn't link off to the various stories they've written for today. So, take some time and read up on the Falcons!
The Toledo Blade's Don Emmons features Tamika Nurse
The Sentinel-Tribune's Jack Carle talks about the Falcons' depth
The BG News' Paul Barney talks about how pivotal post play will be against Michigan State
For stories on the Falcons from throughout the 2009-10 season, CLICK HERE or access the '2009-10 News Clips' link on the women's basketball home page right here at BGSUFalcons.com. The link hasn't yet been updated today, but perhaps the women's basketball SID will stop being such a slacker and update it with today's stories sometime this afternoon or evening. (And yes, this final paragraph was typed by women's basketball SID Mike Cihon.)
(Thursday, March 18, 9:44 AM, posted by Jason Knavel) - Everyone's making final preparations for today's trip as we leave for Louisville at 1 p.m. Fans are invited to come to Anderson Arena to send the team off. Anytime we find some good media stories, we'll post them here and the first comes from ESPN's Graham Hays. Hays talks about five players to watch for the NCAA Tournament and Lauren Prochaska is one of those five. We all know what kind of player Lauren is, but we're excited that the rest of the country is going to get the opportunity Saturday to see as well. Read the story here: Graham Hays' Five Players To Watch
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