Lady Mohawk Preview
Christmas in Springboro
Santa arrives at the Dayton mall
Miami Insider -- Take Five
Big dance a long shot for Miami women
Friday, February 16, 2007
How many times have the Miami RedHawks been to the NCAA Women's Tournament?
None. They did compete in the Association for Inercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) in 1982 under coach Pat Wettig — back in the days when there was no NCAA Tournament as we know it now. That team, led by Mary Ann Myers, lost its only game to Villanova 69-61 in the national quarterfinals. Since then, the closest the RedHawks have come was 1995, when they lost to Toledo 79-65 in overtime in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game. Miami's most recent postseason appearance came in the 2004 NIT, where the RedHawks, under coach Maria Fantanarosa, beat Xavier 77-65 and then lost to Iowa State 71-67.
Extras
What are the RedHawks' chances of making it to the NCAA this year?
They probably won't get one of the four MAC Tournament byes since there are six teams with better conference records, so the RedHawks face the daunting prospect of winning four games in seven days at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. That's a tall order.
How do the RedHawks win four games in Cleveland?
Reverse their two February trends of poor shooting and worse rebounding. The RedHawks have shot only 32 percent from the floor in their four games this month and their rebounding margin during that span is minus 14. If that trend continues, Miami's visit to Cleveland could be very short.
How old is Miami's program?
Miami's first season was 1974-75 under coach Elaine Hieber, who left that post the following season to take charge of the women's athletic program. The Redskins finished 8-9 that year. They lost their first four games, but scored their first victory on Jan. 29, 1975 at home over Dayton, 52-51.
Who was Miami's first star player?
Mary Kay Reeves, who was a sophomore center that first year with a distinctive short jump shot in which she would lift both legs to an almost horizontal position behind her. Reeves averaged 17.2 points and 10.1 rebounds that season and went on to lead Miami in scoring and rebounding the following two years as well. She still ranks fifth in career rebounds.
