After a hard-fought loss to Ohio State in last week's women's Big Ten Tournament Purdue's women had a long wait to see what their destination would be in the NCAA's. The wait is now over, as they will be the #6 seed in the Midwest region facing UNC-Charlotte in Chattanooga, TN. Some quick notes:
- This is the Lady Boilers 16th straight NCAA appearance. The last couple of years have been a bit dicey during that stretch, as they needed to win the Big Ten Tournament and steal the automatic bid, but the streak is alive. It is our first at large bid since 2006.
- Much like the men, you can expect the ladies to stay a little while. They have won their first round game in each of the last 12 years. The men have won their last 10 first round games, making Purdue 22-0 for the first round when you combine the last 22 appearances for both programs.
- #3 seeded North Carolina (27-6) likely waits in round two. The Tar Heels put Purdue out 84-72 in the 2007 Elite 8 and 70-68 in the 2006 Sweet 16. Purdue last defeated North Carolina in the Sweet 16 of the 1999 Tournament 82-59 on its way to the National title.
- SEC champ Auburn (29-3) Took Tennessee's usual place atop the standing in that conference and would be the #2 seed waiting int he round of 16.
- Oklahoma is the #1 seed for the region.
- The Boilers are playing some good basketball right now and they could move on. They lost a close game at west #2 seed Stanford very early in the year and they own a win west #6 seed Texas. East #1 seed Maryland beat the Boilers 70-59 in the women's ACC/Big Ten challenge.
- Big Ten champ Ohio State received a #3 seed in the west. Minnesota (#10 seed South), Michigan State (#9 seed West), and Iowa (#8 seed Midwest) also received bids from the Big Ten.
Expect more later int he week, as the ladies play Saturday at a time to be determined.