University of North Carolina Athletics
Top-Seeded Tar Heels And Lady Vols Clash With Final Four Berth On The Line
March 27, 2006 | Women's Basketball
March 27, 2006
STATS Writer
Earlier this season, North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell was hoping a game against Tennessee would mean her team would be playing in the Final Four.
Instead, Hatchell's top-seeded Tar Heels (32-1) must defeat the second-seeded Lady Vols (31-4) in the Cleveland Regional final to earn a trip to Boston and their first Final Four berth in 12 years.
North Carolina is the top overall seed in the tournament but didn't get any preferential treatment from the selection committee. Besides being sent to Nashville, Tenn. and having to play a road game against Vanderbilt in the second round, the Tar Heels also were placed in the same bracket with perennial powerhouse Tennessee.
While Carolina is making its fourth regional final appearance, the Lady Vols are appearing in their fifth straight and 21st overall in the 25-year history of the tournament.
"I felt like somewhere down the road we would play Tennessee," Hatchell said. "I expected it to be in the Final Four. It's a shame that we have to play so early in the bracket."
Coach Pat Summitt also felt her Lady Vols were given a raw deal by the selection committee, calling the team's No. 2 seed along with being placed in the same bracket as the top overall seed a "slap in the face."
North Carolina is enjoying one of the best seasons in school history, one win away from tying the school record set by the 1993-94 national championship team. That's the last time the program reached the Final Four.
The Heels advanced to the regional final with a 70-68 win over fourth-seeded Purdue on Sunday behind Ivory Latta's driving layup with 2.8 seconds left.
After flinging in her game-winner, the 5-foot-6 Latta fell to the floor with a leg cramp, unable to get back up and play defense as Purdue attempted a potential game-winning 3-pointer.
Latta laid on the floor for several minutes after the game before being carried to Carolina's locker room.
"When I went up for the shot I was cramping in the air," said Latta, who had 19 points, eight assists and four steals. "I was trying to figure out how I was going to come down. I'd say it's one of the biggest shots I've made. I just love to win. We're not ready to go home. We work too hard."
Latta, the ACC player of the year, said the muscle cramp won't stop her from playing against Tennessee.
"I'm a tough little cookie," she said. "It's going to take a lot to knock me out of a game."
After shooting 15-of-47 from 3-point range in its first two tournament games, North Carolina shot a season-worst 1-for-11 from beyond the arc on Sunday.
Latta was 0-for-4 on 3s, finishing without one for the first time all season.
Sophomore Erlana Larkins provided stability to the offense with 23 points on a season-best 10-of-13 shooting. Larkins scored 13.0 points per contest during the regular season, but is averaging 19.3 in the tournament.
The Heels have won 10 straight, but are just 1-12 all-time against Tennessee.
The Lady Vols improved to 21-4 in the regional semifinals with their 76-69 victory over third-seeded Rutgers on Sunday.
Candace Parker scored 29 points, including 12 straight during a critical run in the second half, and also went 11-of-13 from the foul line.
Parker, who last Sunday became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, also had six blocks and five rebounds.
"I've only dunked in one game. I don't want that to be my identity," the freshman said. "I want to be known for an all-around game."
Senior Shanna Zolman hit five 3-pointers and scored a career-high 29 points as Tennessee's career leader in 3-pointers shot 10-for-14 from the field and played all 40 minutes.
"She has really matured as a leader and understands how to impact and communicate with her team in a way that does bring calmness," Summitt said of Zolman. "She even calms me down."
Zolman and Parker accounted for all but 18 of the Lady Vols' points on Sunday. Parker is averaging 23.3 points and Zolman is averaging 21.0 in three tournament games.
Tennessee has made four straight appearances in the Final Four and has won six national titles, but has not brought a national championship back to Knoxville since 1998.
