1990 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

1990 NCAA Women's Division I
Basketball Tournament
Teams 48
Finals site Thompson–Boling Arena
Knoxville, Tennessee
Champions Stanford (1st title)
Runner-up Auburn (3rd title game)
Semifinalists
MOP Jennifer Azzi Stanford
NCAA Women's Division I Tournaments
«1989 1991»

The 1990 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament began on March 11 and ended on April 1. The tournament featured 48 teams. The Final Four consisted of Virginia, Stanford, Auburn, and Louisiana Tech, with Stanford defeating Auburn 76-60 to win its first NCAA title.[1] Stanford's Jennifer Azzi was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.[2]

Notable events

Stanford Cardinal team with National Championship Trophy

Forty-eight teams started the tournament on the eleventh of March. Thirteen days later, there were four team left, Virginia, Auburn, Louisiana Tech and Stanford, headed to Knoxville, Tennessee for the Final Four.[3]

Stanford, after playing in the initial 1982 tournament, did not qualify between 1983–1987, but had reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1988, and the Elite Eight in 1989. Virginia was competing in their seventh consecutive NCAA tournament, finishing as high as the Elite Eight in 1988. However, they had been knocked out of the tournament by Tennessee in each of the last three tournaments.[3]

Auburn, coached by Joe Ciampi, had been to all but one of the NCAA tournaments, and reached the last two Final Fours, but finished in the Runner-up position in each year. Louisiana Tech had not just played in every NCAA tournament, but had reached at least the Elite Eight every year, and had two National Championships.[3]

For the fourth consecutive year, Virginia faced Tennessee in the tournament. The previous three match ups were all won by Tennessee, including an 80–37 win the in 1989 tournament. This time, lead by Dawn Staley who would win the MVP for her performance in the East Regional, the Cavaliers took the Volunteers to overtime, and won 79–75. Virginia next faced Stanford, who had only lost one game all season, and reached the final four by beating Arkansas 114–87 in the West Regional. Stanford wouldn't lose this game, and prevailed over Virginia 75–66.[4]

In the other semi-final game, Auburn faced Louisiana Tech. Auburn came into the tournament as the prior year's runner-up, but was a two seed in the bracket with Washington, the only team to beat Stanford during the regular season. Auburn won easily, beating the Huskies 76–50. The Tech team, only two years removed from their last National Championship, were a 1 seed and beat Texas to advance to the Final Four. Auburn was too strong for the Lady Techsters, and advanced to the championship game with an 81–69 victory.[3]

Over twenty thousand people bought tickets for the championship game in Knoxville, the largest crowd ever (at the time) to watch a women's basketball game.[5] In 1985, Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer had traveled to Knoxville to meet with the family of Jennifer Azzi, to try to persuade Azzi to come to Stanford. Despite finishing 9–19 the year before, VanDerveer talked about competing for a National Championship, Azzi came to Stanford, and four years later, was twenty miles from her Oak Ridge hometown, playing for the National Championship. Auburn, lead by Caroline Jones, pulled out to a nine point lead in the first half. Then Azzi, who had not been able to even take a shot in the first eleven minutes, took over. She brought the team to a tie at halftime, and helped lead a 9–2 run early in the second half to take over the game. Azzi would win the tournament award for the most outstanding player, and her teammate Katy Steding set three point shooting records to help Stanford win their first National Championship 88–81, while Auburn would finish as runner-up for the third consecutive year.[6]

Records

Katy Steding set the Final Four record for both three points field goal attempts (15) and three point field goals made (6), in the championship game against Auburn.[3]

Stanford set the NCAA Women's Tournament record for assist in a single games, with 37 assists in their Regional Final game against Arkansas.[3]

Qualifying teams - automatic

Forty-eight teams were selected to participate in the 1990 NCAA Tournament. Twenty-one conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1990 NCAA tournament.[3]

Automatic Bids
    Record  
Qualifying School Conference Regular
Season		 Conference Seed
Appalachian State University SoCon 20–8 7–3 11
Auburn University SEC 24–6 7–2 2
Bowling Green State University MAC 22–8 12–4 12
University of Iowa Big Ten 23–5 15–3 3
Louisiana Tech University American South 29–0 10–0 1
Manhattan College MAAC 18–12 8–2 12
University of Montana Big Sky 27–2 16–0 8
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater Big Eight 20–10 9–5 7
Old Dominion University Sun Belt 20–9 4–2 8
Pennsylvania State University Atlantic 10 24–6 15–3 7
Providence College Big East 26–4 14–2 3
University of Richmond CAA 25–4 11–1 10
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Gateway 21–9 16–2 11
University of Southern Mississippi Metro 26–4 11–3 8
Stanford University Pac-10 27–1 17–1 1
Stephen F. Austin State University Southland 27–2 14–0 3
Tennessee Technological University Ohio Valley Conference 25–4 12–0 7
University of Texas at Austin Southwest 25–4 15–1 3
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Big West 27–2 17–1 4
University of Utah High Country 20–9 6–4 12
University of Virginia ACC 26–5 11–3 2

Qualifying teams - at-large

Twenty-seven additional teams were selected to complete the forty-eight invitations.[3]

At-large Bids
    Record  
Qualifying School Conference Regular
Season		 Conference Seed
University of Arkansas Southwest 22–4 15–1 7
University of California, Berkeley Pacific-10 17–11 9–9 11
Clemson University ACC 20–9 10–4 5
University of Connecticut Big East 25–5 14–2 4
DePaul University North Star 21–9 10–2 8
Florida State University Metro 21–8 11–3 10
University of Georgia SEC 25–4 6–3 2
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Big West 25–3 16–2 9
California State University, Long Beach Big West 24–7 14–4 6
Louisiana State University SEC 21–8 4–5 9
University of Maryland, College Park ACC 18–10 7–7 6
University of Michigan Big Ten 19–9 11–7 10
University of Mississippi SEC 20–9 7–2 5
North Carolina State University ACC 24–5 12–2 2
Northern Illinois University North Star 25–4 12–0 5
Northwestern University Big Ten 24–4 15–3 4
Ohio State University Big Ten 17–11 11–7 6
Purdue University Big Ten 22–6 14–4 4
Rutgers University Big East 20–9 16–2 11
University of South Carolina Metro 22–8 13–1 5
Saint Joseph's University Atlantic 10 24–6 16–2 9
University of Tennessee SEC 25–5 8–1 1
Texas Tech University Southwest 19–10 11–5 12
University of California, Los Angeles Pacific-10 17–11 12–6 10
Vanderbilt University SEC 21–10 5–4 6
University of Washington Pacific-10 26–2 17–1 1
Western Kentucky University Sun Belt 17–11 4–2 9

Bids by conference

Twenty-one conferences earned an automatic bid. In eleven cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. Two conferences (North Star, Big West) sent two representatives as an at-large team. Twenty-four additional at-large teams were selected from ten of the conferences.[3]

Bids Conference Teams
6 SEC Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
5 Big Ten Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue
4 ACC Virginia, Clemson, Maryland, North Carolina State
4 Pacific-10 Stanford, California, UCLA, Washington
3 Big East Providence, Connecticut, Rutgers
3 Metro Southern Miss, Florida State, South Carolina
3 Southwest Texas, Arkansas, Texas Tech
2 Atlantic 10 Penn State, Saint Joseph’s
3 Big West UNLV, Hawaii, Long Beach State
2 North Star DePaul, Northern Illinois
2 Sun Belt Old Dominion, Western Kentucky
1 American South Louisiana Tech
1 Big Eight Oklahoma State
1 Big Sky Montana
1 CAA Richmond
1 Gateway Southern Illinois
1 High Country Utah
1 MAAC Manhattan
1 Mid-American Bowling Green
1 Ohio Valley Tennessee Tech
1 Southern Appalachian State
1 Southland Stephen F. Austin

First and second rounds

Clemson
Tallahassee
Norfolk
College Park
Chicago
Columbia
Cookeville
Nashville
DeKalb
Columbus
Hattiesburg
Stillwater
Long Beach
University
Missoula
Fayetteville
1990 NCAA first round
Providence
Storrs
Knoxville
Charlottesville
Auburn
Evanston
Iowa City
Seattle
Ruston
Raleigh
Austin
West Lafayette
Athens
Stanford
Las Vegas
Nacogdoches
1990 NCAA second round

In 1990, the field remained at 48 teams. The teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1-12 in each region. In Round 1, seeds 8 and 9 faced each other for the opportunity to face the 1 seed in the second round, seeds 7 and 10 played for the opportunity to face the 2 seed, seeds 5 and 12 played for the opportunity to face the 4 seed, and seeds 6 and 11 played for the opportunity to face the 3 seed. In the first two rounds, the higher seed was given the opportunity to host the first round game. In most cases, the higher seed accepted the opportunity. The exception:[7]

The following table lists the region, host school, venue and the thirty-two first and second round locations:

Region Rnd Host Venue City State
East 1 Clemson University Littlejohn Coliseum Clemson South Carolina
East 1 Florida State University Tully Gymnasium Tallahassee Florida
East 1 Old Dominion University Old Dominion University Fieldhouse Norfolk Virginia
East 1 University of Maryland Cole Field House College Park Maryland
East 2 Providence College Alumni Hall (Providence) Providence Rhode Island
East 2 University of Connecticut Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Storrs Connecticut
East 2 University of Tennessee Thompson-Boling Arena Knoxville Tennessee
East 2 University of Virginia University Hall (University of Virginia) Charlottesville Virginia
Mideast 1 DePaul University Alumni Hall (DePaul University) Chicago Illinois
Mideast 1 University of South Carolina Carolina Coliseum Columbia South Carolina
Mideast 1 Tennessee Tech Eblen Center Cookeville Tennessee
Mideast 1 Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt University) Nashville Tennessee
Mideast 2 Auburn University Memorial Coliseum (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum) Auburn Alabama
Mideast 2 Northwestern University Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston Illinois
Mideast 2 University of Iowa Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City Indiana
Mideast 2 University of Washington Hec Edmundson Pavilion Seattle Washington
Midwest 1 Northern Illinois University Chick Evans Field House DeKalb Illinois
Midwest 1 Ohio State University St. John Arena Columbus Ohio
Midwest 1 University of Southern Mississippi Reed Green Coliseum Hattiesburg Mississippi
Midwest 1 Oklahoma State University Gallagher-Iba Arena Stillwater Oklahoma
Midwest 2 Louisiana Tech University Thomas Assembly Center Ruston Louisiana
Midwest 2 North Carolina State University Reynolds Coliseum Raleigh North Carolina
Midwest 2 University of Texas Frank Erwin Center Austin Texas
Midwest 2 Purdue University Mackey Arena West Lafayette Indiana
West 1 Long Beach State University Gym (Gold Mine) Long Beach California
West 1 University of Mississippi Tad Smith Coliseum University, Mississippi Mississippi
West 1 University of Montana Dahlberg Arena Missoula Montana
West 1 University of Arkansas Barnhill Arena Fayetteville Arkansas
West 2 University of Georgia Georgia Coliseum (Stegeman Coliseum) Athens Georgia
West 2 Stanford University Maples Pavilion Stanford California
West 2 University of Nevada, Las Vegas South Gym Paradise Nevada
West 2 Stephen F. Austin University William R. Johnson Coliseum Nacogdoches Texas

Regionals and Final Four

Norfolk
Iowa City
Austin
Stanford
Knoxville
1990 NCAA Regionals and Final Four

The Regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 22 to March 24 at these sites:

Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held March 30 and April 1 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Thompson-Boling Arena (Host: University of Tennessee)

Bids by state

The forty-eight teams came from thirty states. California and Illinois had the most teams with four each. Twenty states did not have any teams receiving bids.[3]

NCAA Women's basketball Tournament invitations by state 1990
Bids State Teams
4 California Stanford, California, Long Beach St., UCLA
4 Illinois Southern Ill., DePaul, Northern Ill., Northwestern
3 Tennessee Tennessee Tech, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
3 Texas Stephen F. Austin, Texas, Texas Tech
3 Virginia Old Dominion, Richmond, Virginia
2 Louisiana Louisiana Tech, LSU
2 Mississippi Southern Miss., Mississippi
2 North Carolina Appalachian St., North Carolina St.
2 Ohio Bowling Green, Ohio St.
2 Pennsylvania Penn St., St. Joseph’s
2 South Carolina Clemson, South Carolina
1 Alabama Auburn
1 Arkansas Arkansas
1 Connecticut Connecticut
1 Florida Florida St.
1 Georgia Georgia
1 Hawaii Hawaii
1 Indiana Purdue
1 Iowa Iowa
1 Kentucky Western Ky.
1 Maryland Maryland
1 Michigan Michigan
1 Montana Montana
1 Nevada UNLV
1 New Jersey Rutgers
1 New York Manhattan
1 Oklahoma Oklahoma St.
1 Rhode Island Providence
1 Utah Utah
1 Washington Washington

Brackets

First and second round games played at higher seed except where noted.

East Regional - Norfolk, VA

  First round
March 14		 Second round
March 17–18		 Regional semifinals
March 22		 Regional finals
March 24
                                     
        
  1  Tennessee 87  
    8  Old Dominion 68  
8  Old Dominion 91
9  St. Joseph's 69  
  1  Tennessee 80  
  5  Clemson 62  
        
        
  4  Connecticut 59
    5  Clemson 61  
5  Clemson 79
12  Manhattan 55  
  1  Tennessee 75
  2  Virginia 79 (OT)
        
        
  2  Virginia 85
    7  Penn St. 64  
7  Penn St. 83
10  at Florida St. 73  
  2  Virginia 77
  3  Providence 71  
        
        
  3  Providence 77
    6  Maryland 75  
6  Maryland 100
11  Appalachian St. 71  

West Regional - Stanford, CA

  First round
March 14		 Second round
March 17–18		 Regional semifinals
March 22		 Regional finals
March 24
                                     
        
  1  Stanford 106  
    9  Hawaii 76  
8  Montana 78
9  Hawaii 83  
  1  Stanford 78  
  5  Mississippi 65  
        
        
  4  UNLV 62
    5  Mississippi 66  
5  Mississippi 74
12  Utah 51  
  1  Stanford 114
  7  Arkansas 87
        
        
  2  Georgia 70
    7  Arkansas 81  
7  Arkansas 90
10  UCLA 80 (OT)  
  7  Arkansas 98
  3  Stephen F. Austin 74  
        
        
  3  Stephen F. Austin 78
    6  Long Beach St. 62  
6  Long Beach St. 87
11  California 84  

Mideast Regional - Iowa City, IA

  First round
March 14		 Second round
March 17–18		 Regional semifinals
March 22		 Regional finals
March 24
                                     
        
  1  Washington 77  
    8  DePaul 68  
8  DePaul 73
9  Western Kentucky 63  
  1  Washington 73  
  5  South Carolina 61  
        
        
  4  Northwestern 67
    5  South Carolina 76  
5  South Carolina 93
12  Bowling Green 50  
  1  Washington 50
  2  Auburn 76
        
        
  2  Auburn 73
    7  Tennessee Tech 54  
7  Tennessee Tech 77
10  Richmond 59  
  2  Auburn 89
  6  Vanderbilt 67  
        
        
  3  Iowa 56
    6  Vanderbilt 61  
6  Vanderbilt 78
11  Rutgers 75  

Midwest Regional - Austin, TX

  First round
March 14		 Second round
March 17–18		 Regional semifinals
March 22		 Regional finals
March 24
                                     
        
  1  Louisiana Tech 89  
    8  Southern Miss 70  
8  Southern Miss 75
9  LSU 65  
  1  Louisiana Tech 91  
  4  Purdue 47  
        
        
  4  Purdue 86
    5  Northern Illinois 81  
5  Northern Illinois 84
12  Texas Tech 63  
  1  Louisiana Tech 71
  3  Texas 57
        
        
  2  North Carolina St. 81
    10  Michigan 64  
7  Oklahoma St. 68
10  Michigan 77  
  2  North Carolina St. 63
  3  Texas 72  
        
        
  3  Texas 95
    6  Ohio St. 66  
6  Ohio St. 73
11  Southern Illinois 61  

Final Four - Knoxville, TN

National Semifinals
March 30 		National Championship
April 1
      
2E Virginia 66
1W Stanford 75
1W Stanford 88
2ME Auburn 81
2ME Auburn 81
1MW Louisiana Tech 69

Record by conference

Fifteen conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:[3]

Conference # of Bids Record Win % Round
of 32		 Sweet
Sixteen		 Elite
Eight		 Final
Four		 Championship
Game
Southeastern 6 10–6 .625 5 4 2 1 1
Big Ten 5 3–5 .375 5 1 – – –
Atlantic Coast 4 7–4 .636 4 3 1 1 –
Pacific-10 4 7–3 .700 2 2 2 1 1
Southwest 3 5–3 .625 2 2 2 – –
Metro 3 3–3 .500 2 1 – – –
Big East 3 1–3 .250 2 1 – – –
North Star 2 2–2 .500 2 – – – –
Atlantic 10 2 1–2 .333 1 – – – –
Big West 2 1–2 .333 2 – – – –
Sun Belt 2 1–2 .333 1 – – – –
American South 1 3–1 .750 1 1 1 1 –
Ohio Valley 1 1–1 .500 1 – – – –
Pacific Coast 1 1–1 .500 1 – – – –
Southland 1 1–1 .500 1 1 – – –

Eight conferences went 0-1: Big Eight, Big Sky Conference, Colonial, Gateway, MAAC, MAC, Southern Conference,and WAC [3]

All-Tournament Team

Game Officials

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gregory Cooper. "1990 NCAA National Championship Tournament". Archived from the original on 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  2. ↑ "CHN Basketball History: Most Outstanding Player". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Nixon, Rick. "Official 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Virginia Women's Basketball: Final Four Team Capsules". Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Stanford Tradition" (PDF). Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  6. ↑ Hersch, Hank (April 9, 1990). "The Cardinal Rules". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Attendance and Sites" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 19 March 2012.