Fans can apply for Women's NCAA tournament tickets

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

Although the NCAA tournament brackets won’t be released until March 11, women’s basketball fans who wish to secure a seat in Mackey Arena can fill out an application now.

No. 5 Purdue (22-4, 14-1 Big Ten) is expected to be among the top 16 seeds in the tournament. Teams seeded from first to fourth in each region host the first and second rounds of the tournament.

The ticket office is taking applications until March 1. No seats will be assigned until after that date. When seats are assigned, they will be done on a priority basis. John Purdue Club members have highest priority, followed by season ticket holders.

Season ticket holders should have received applications by mail. However, the general public is free to fill out applications as well, according to ticket office personnel.

Applications are being taken for the entire session only. Single game tickets, if available, will be on sale prior to the first game.

It is not a guarantee that the Boilers will host. The selection committee announces the pairings on Selection Sunday (March 11). But with a top-five ranking, Purdue should remain in the top 16 even if it loses a game.

"I think anytime you have a chance to make the NCAA tournament you certainly want to be one of the top 16 seeds and have a chance to host and take advantage of defending our home court," said Purdue coach Kristy Curry. "We didn’t do a very good job of doing that last year. If that one experience doesn’t motivate them, I’m not sure what will."

Last year, the Boilers were a No. 4 seed. But they fell to fifth-seeded Oklahoma in the second round, 74-72.

This season, Curry said, "We just want to put ourselves in position to get the highest possible seeding as we possibly can. We want to finish strong in the regular season and also the Big Ten Tournament."

In the event that the Boilers do not host, all money will be refunded, ticket office personnel said.

Chatting away

Curry will be chatting online today at FinalFour.net as its weekly guest speaker from 11-11:30 a.m. The NCAA and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association host the weekly event for the nation’s top women’s basketball players and coaches. Previous chats are archived on the Web site.

Those pesky Lions

On Thursday, the Boilers conclude the regular season when they travel to State College, Pa., to face Penn State.

The No. 19 Nittany Lions (18-7, 10-4) are coming off a loss at Wisconsin and are tied for second place in the conference with Wisconsin and Iowa. Purdue clinched the regular season title with its 96-43 win over Minnesota Sunday.

Even with the title clinched, Curry doesn’t expect her team to need added motivation to play at Penn State.

"We can look back on past experience," she said. "That’s a big rivalry. If you can’t get up and ready to play Penn State, than who can you?"

Last season the Nittany Lions defeated the Boilers twice during the regular season. But Purdue upset top-seeded Penn State in the finals of the Big Ten Tournament to capture its third straight tournament title.

"I really don’t think that I’ve had any problem making my point with this basketball team that we need to get ready to play and we need to get better daily regardless of who we’re playing," said Curry.

"I’m glad it’s Penn State; I’m glad it’s on the road; I’m glad it’s going to be a great challenge for us."

Bye week

After Penn State, Purdue will sit and watch the final day of conference action as the remaining teams try to jockey for position.

"We have a bye on Sunday, which comes at a great time for us," said Curry. "Byes can either work for you or against you. I think that the one for — the one positive — is that it gives Katie Douglas a chance to get healthier. As far as the negatives, we’ll do as much as we can in practice to go as hard as we possibly can to be as game-like as we can be."

Douglas, last season’s Big Ten player of the year, is still recovering from a high ankle sprain that forced her to miss the Feb. 4 game against Michigan and minutes in subsequent contests.

Team prepares for Iowa

Fans can apply for Women's NCAA tournament tickets

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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