Miami, Quinnipiac meet again in NCAA Tournament (Mar 15, 2018)
Leave it to the NCAA Women's Tournament seeding committee to have a sense of humor.
Or, at least, a sense of history.
One year after meeting in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, eighth-seeded Miami will battle ninth-seeded Quinnipiac on Saturday at UConn's Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., in the first round of the Albany Regional.
Last year, the Bobcats became one of the Cinderellas of the tournament, taking out the Hurricanes to advance to the Sweet 16, where they were soundly defeated by eventual national champion South Carolina.
This rematch is no grudge match, though, Miami coach Katie Meier said.
"It's a new year, it's a new team, it's a new experience for my players to be in the NCAA Tournament and I'm not going to minimize that by just talking about a grudge match," she said. "It's a huge platform. It's a national stage. It's women's basketball's biggest show and we need to show out. We need to play great."
Instead of dwelling on last year's finish, the Hurricanes instead are looking for a way to advance to their fourth second round since 2010, and, perhaps, their first Sweet 16 since the team's only appearance in 1992.
Standing in their way are the Bobcats, who have earned some respect since a year ago, bumping up in the seedings a few spots. Now, instead of needing a first-round upset to meet Miami, Quinnipiac finds itself with its highest seed in program history.
Is that because of their 27-5 record and unblemished conference slate? Was it the flawless MAAC Tournament? Or was it some extra benefit of the doubt?
Somehow, a team that started the season 4-5 with losses to No. 9 Ohio State and No. 16 Missouri finds itself primed for its most promising tournament ever.
"I am incredibly thankful that the committee recognized the body of work that this team had," Bobcats coach Tricia Fabbri said. "They looked at controllables: who we scheduled, who we played, and who we were able to beat."
For Miami, the list of teams it has beaten is distinguished. Unlike Quinnipiac, which has no wins over ranked teams, the Hurricanes have beaten No. 20 Kentucky, No. 14 Duke and No. 23 North Carolina State. They've also lost to six ranked teams and finished 10-6 in the ACC Tournament.
"We're just embracing the moment," senior Erykah Davenport said. "We're looking forward to playing in the Big Dance and not taking it for granted, not one game, not one quarter, not one second. First and foremost, we're embracing the opportunity and just being locked in because the next game isn't promised. We're going for it and we're excited."
Like the Bobcats, Miami is bringing some history into the tournament. The Hurricanes made it to the tournament for a school-record fourth straight year this season, and Meier's team is on the rise.
"I think we're the only class that went four in a row, so that's just a blessing," senior Keyanna Harris said. "It's just amazing. I'm excited. Nervous, but excited. Anxious, ready to play. Welcome to the NCAA March Madness. You never know. You just have to go out there and give it 100 percent."
