1988 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament

1988 NCAA Division I
Women's Basketball Tournament
Teams 40
Finals site Tacoma Dome
Tacoma, Washington
Champions Louisiana Tech (2nd title)
Runner-up Auburn (1st title game)
Semifinalists
MOP Erica Westbrooks Louisiana Tech
NCAA Division I Women's Tournaments
«1987 1989»

The 1988 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament began on March 16 and ended on April 3. The tournament featured 40 teams. The Final Four consisted of Long Beach State, Auburn, Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech. Louisiana Tech won its second title with a 56-54 victory over Auburn.[1] Louisiana Tech's Erica Westbrooks was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.[2]

Notable events

Long Beach state reached the Final Four averaging over 100 points per game. Long Beach beat Colorado 103–64 in their opening game. Long Beach then defeated the three seed Washington 104–78 in the West Regional semifinal. That matched Long Beach up with the one seed Iowa. Long Beach didn't score 100, but came close, beating the top seed in their regional by a score of 98–78, allowing Long Beach to reach the Final Four for the second straight year. Their opponent in the semifinal was Auburn, who had reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1985 and 1986, then followed it with a trip to the Elite Eight in 1987. This year Auburn advanced to the Final Four for the first time defeating Maryland in the Mideast Regional 103–74.

In the semifinal game, the Long Beach 49ers team started out slowly, but their coach Joan Bonvicini wasn't worried; she was convinced they would come back. Auburn had a small lead in the second half when the 49ers scored 11 consecutive points to take a 46–42 lead. However, the Tigers tied the game at 46 apiece, then 48 then 50 apiece. Then the Tigers opened up a seven-point lead. The 49ers cut it back to five points, but too many turnovers were too much to overcome. Ruthie Bolton scored eleven points in the final six minutes for the Tigers to help seal the 68–55 victory, and the right to play for the national championship.[3][4][5]

The other semifinal game matched up Tennessee and Louisiana Tech. Tennessee was the defending national champion, having won their first national championship in 1987. They won the East Regional with a win over the two seed Virginia. Their opponent, Louisiana Tech, had won the first NCAA Tournament in 1982, and had finished as runner up to Tennessee in the previous year's championship game.[6] The two teams met in the regular season, with Tennessee winning 76–74 in an overtime game played in Knoxville.[7] The Lady Techsters were a two seed, but upset top ranked Texas 83–80 in the Midwest Regional to make it to the semifinal game. The Lady Techsters said they had been looking forward to this game ever since their loss in the prior year and they played like it. They took the lead early in the game and never relinquished it. Louisiana Tech held Tennessee to 33% shooting in the first half, and held on to win the game 68–59, and a berth in the championship game.[5][8]

The first half of the championship game was all Auburn. Two minutes went by before the Lady Techsters even took at shot, at which point they were down 6–0. Ruthie Bolton scored 16 points in the first half, a source of frustration for her defender Teresa Weatherspoon. Bolton's points held the Tigers head to halftime with a 31–19 lead. Weatherspoon made sure the second half was different, both offensively, with seven assists and defensively, holding Bolton to zero points and helping to force six turnovers. The Tigers still led by four points with under five minutes left, but behind Weatherspoon's defense, and Erica Westbrooks' 25 points, Louisiana Tech came back to win their second national Championship by a score of 56–54.[9][10]

Records

Ruthie Bolton was credited with ten steals in the National Semifinal game, the most ever recorded in a Final Four game since the statistic has been recorded (starting in 1988).[11]

Qualifying teams - automatic

Forty teams were selected to participate in the 1988 NCAA Tournament. Eighteen conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1988 NCAA tournament.[12]

Automatic Bids
    Record  
Qualifying School Conference Regular Season Conference Seed
Bowling Green State University MAC 24–5 14–2 10
Eastern Illinois University Missouri Valley Conference 22–7 14–4 10
Fairfield University MAAC 19–9 8–4 10
University of Iowa Big Ten 27–1 17–1 1
James Madison University Colonial 26–3 12–0 4
University of Kansas Big Eight 21–9 8–6 7
California State University, Long Beach Big West Conference 25–5 18–0 2
University of Maryland ACC 24–5 12–2 2
Middle Tennessee State University Ohio Valley Conference 22–7 12–2 10
University of Montana Mountain West 28–1 16–0 4
New Mexico State University High Country 26–2 10–0 6
Rutgers University Atlantic 10 26–4 17–1 3
University of South Carolina Metro 22–10 10–2 8
St. John's University Big East 21–9 10–6 7
University of Tennessee SEC 28–2 8–1 1
University of Texas at Austin Southwest 30–2 16–0 1
University of Washington Pac-10 24–4 16–2 3
Western Kentucky University Sun Belt Conference 26–7 4–2 5

Qualifying teams - at-large

Twenty-two additional teams were selected to complete the forty invitations.[12]

At-large Bids
    Record  
Qualifying School Conference Regular Season Conference Seed
University of Alabama Southeastern 18–9 5–4 9
Auburn University Southeastern 28–2 9–0 1
Clemson University Atlantic Coast 21–8 8–6 5
University of Colorado at Boulder Big Eight 20–10 8–6 7
University of Georgia Southeastern 20–9 5–4 4
University of Houston Southwest 22–6 11–5 6
La Salle University Metro Atlantic 25–4 11–1 8
Louisiana Tech University American South 27–2 9–0 2
Louisiana State University Southeastern 18–10 6–3 9
University of Mississippi Southeastern 23–6 5–4 3
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Big Eight 22–6 11–3 5
Ohio State University Big Ten 24–4 16–2 3
Old Dominion University Sun Belt 17–11 6–0 6
Pennsylvania State University Atlantic 10 19–12 11–7 9
University of Southern California Pacific-10 21–7 15–3 4
Saint Joseph's University Atlantic 10 23–7 16–2 7
Stanford University Pacific-10 26–4 14–4 5
Stephen F. Austin State University Southland 28–4 13–1 8
Syracuse University Big East 22–8 13–3 6
Villanova University Big East 20–8 11–5 8
University of Virginia Atlantic Coast 25–4 12–2 2
Wake Forest University Atlantic Coast 22–7 9–5 9

Bids by conference

Eighteen conferences earned an automatic bid. In eight cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. Two conferences, Southland and American South sent a single representative as an at-large team. Twenty additional at-large teams were selected from ten of the conferences.[12]

Bids Conference Teams
6 Southeastern Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Tennessee
4 Atlantic Coast Clemson, Maryland., Virginia, Wake Forest
3 Pacific-10 Southern California, Stanford, Washington
3 Big Eight Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska
3 Big East St. John’s NY, Syracuse, Villanova
3 Atlantic 10 Penn St., Rutgers, St. Joseph’s
2 Sun Belt Old Dominion, Western Ky.
2 Southwest Houston, Texas
2 Metro Atlantic Fairfield, La Salle
2 Big Ten Iowa, Ohio St.
1 Southland Stephen F. Austin
1 Ohio Valley Middle Tenn.
1 Mountain West Montana
1 Missouri Valley Eastern Ill.
1 Mid-American Bowling Green
1 Metro South Carolina
1 High Country New Mexico St.
1 Colonial James Madison
1 Big West Long Beach St.
1 American South Louisiana Tech

First and second rounds

In 1988, the field remained at 40 teams. The teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1-10 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, while seeds 7 and 10 faced each other for the opportunity to face the 2 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:[11]

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

Villanova
Queens
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Columbia
Lawrence
Nacogdoches
Charleston
1988 NCAA first round (The pogs for Lasalle (Philadelphia), St. Joe's (Philadelphia) and Villanova overlap)
Piscataway
Charlottesville
Knoxville
Harrisonburg
College Park
Columbus
Auburn
Athens
Missoula
Austin
University
Ruston
Iowa City
Seattle
Long Beach
Carson
1988 NCAA second round
Region Rnd Host Venue City State
East 1 Villanova University The Pavilion Villanova Pennsylvania
East 1 Saint John's University Alumni Hall (Carnesecca) Queens New York
East 2 Rutgers University Louis Brown Athletic Center Piscataway New Jersey
East 2 University of Virginia University Hall (University of Virginia) Charlottesville Virginia
East 2 University of Tennessee Stokely Athletic Center Knoxville Tennessee
East 2 James Madison University James Madison University Convocation Center Harrisonburg Virginia
Mideast 1 Saint Joseph's University Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Mideast 1 La Salle University Hayman Hall (Tom Gola Arena) Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Mideast 2 University of Maryland Cole Field House College Park Maryland
Mideast 2 Ohio State University St. John Arena Columbus Ohio
Mideast 2 Auburn University Memorial Coliseum (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum) Auburn Alabama
Mideast 2 University of Georgia Georgia Coliseum (Stegeman Coliseum) Athens Georgia
Midwest 1 University of South Carolina Carolina Coliseum Columbia South Carolina
Midwest 1 University of Kansas Allen Field House Lawrence Kansas
Midwest 2 University of Montana Dahlberg Arena Missoula Montana
Midwest 2 University of Texas Frank Erwin Center Austin Texas
Midwest 2 University of Mississippi Tad Smith Coliseum University Mississippi
Midwest 2 Louisiana Tech University Thomas Assembly Center Ruston Louisiana
West 1 Stephen F. Austin University William R. Johnson Coliseum Nacogdoches Texas
West 1 Eastern Illinois University Lantz Arena Charleston Illinois
West 2 University of Iowa Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City Iowa
West 2 University of Washington Hec Edmundson Pavilion Seattle Washington
West 2 Long Beach State University Gym (Gold Mine) Long Beach California

Regionals and Final Four

Athens
Austin
Long Beach
Norfolk
Tacoma
1988 NCAA Regionals and Final Four

The Regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 24 to March 26 at these sites:

Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held April 1 and April 3 in Tacoma, Washington at the Tacoma Dome

Bids by state

The forty teams came from twenty-five states. Pennsylvania had the most teams with four. Twenty-five states did not have any teams receiving bids.[12]

NCAA Women's basketball Tournament invitations by state 1988
Bids State Teams
4 Pennsylvania La Salle, Penn St., St. Joseph’s, Villanova
3 California Long Beach St., Southern California, Stanford
3 Texas Texas, Houston, Stephen F. Austin
3 Virginia James Madison, Old Dominion, Virginia
2 Alabama Alabama, Auburn
2 Alabama Alabama, Auburn
2 Louisiana Louisiana Tech, LSU
2 New York St. John’s NY, Syracuse
2 Ohio Bowling Green, Ohio St.
2 South Carolina South Carolina, Clemson
2 Tennessee Middle Tenn., Tennessee
1 Colorado Colorado
1 Connecticut Fairfield
1 Georgia Georgia
1 Illinois Eastern Ill.
1 Iowa Iowa
1 Kansas Kansas
1 Kentucky Western Ky.
1 Maryland Maryland.
1 Mississippi Mississippi
1 Montana Montana
1 Nebraska Nebraska
1 New Jersey Rutgers
1 New Mexico New Mexico St.
1 North Carolina Wake Forest
1 Washington Washington

Brackets

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

West Regional - Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Arena)

  First round
March 16		 Second round
March 19–20		 Regional semifinals
March 24		 Regional finals
March 26
                                     
8 Stephen F. Austin 84  
9 LSU 62  
  8 Stephen F. Austin 65  
    1 Iowa 83  
     
       
  1 Iowa 79  
  4 Southern California 67  
       
       
  5 Nebraska 82
    4 Southern California 100  
     
       
  1 Iowa 78
  2 Long Beach St. 98
7 Colorado 78  
10 at Eastern Illinois 72  
  7 Colorado 64
    2 Long Beach St. 103  
     
       
  2 Long Beach St. 104
  3 Washington 78  
       
       
  3 Washington 99
    6 New Mexico St. 74  
     

Mideast Regional - Athens, GA (Stegeman Coliseum)

  First round
March 16		 Second round
March 19–20		 Regional semifinals
March 24		 Regional finals
March 26
                                     
8 La Salle 85  
9 Penn St. 86  
  9 Penn St. 66  
    1 Auburn 94  
     
       
  1 Auburn 68  
  4 Georgia 65  
       
       
  5 Western Kentucky 66
    4 Georgia 84  
     
       
  1 Auburn 103
  2 Maryland 74
7 St. Joseph's 68  
10 Bowling Green 66  
  7 St. Joseph's 67
    2 Maryland 78  
     
       
  2 Maryland 81
  3 Ohio St. 66  
       
       
  3 Ohio St. 116
    6 Syracuse 75  
     

East Regional - Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University Fieldhouse)

  First round
March 16		 Second round
March 19–20		 Regional semifinals
March 24		 Regional finals
March 26
                                     
8 Villanova 51  
9 Wake Forest 53  
  9 Wake Forest 66  
    1 Tennessee 94  
     
       
  1 Tennessee 72  
  4 James Madison 52  
       
       
  5 Clemson 63
    4 James Madison 70  
     
       
  1 Tennessee 84
  2 Virginia 76
7 St. John's (NY) 83  
10 Fairfield 70  
  7 St. John's (NY) 64
    2 Virginia 85  
     
       
  2 Virginia 89
  3 Rutgers 75  
       
       
  3 Rutgers 88
    6 Old Dominion 78  
     

Midwest Regional - Austin, TX (Frank Erwin Center)

  First round
March 16		 Second round
March 19–20		 Regional semifinals
March 24		 Regional finals
March 26
                                     
8 South Carolina 77  
9 Alabama 63  
  8 South Carolina 58  
    1 Texas 77  
     
       
  1 Texas 79  
  4 Stanford 58  
       
       
  5 Stanford 74
    4 Montana 72 (OT)  
     
       
  1 Texas 80
  2 Louisiana Tech 83
7 Kansas 81  
10 Middle Tennessee St. 75  
  7 Kansas 50
    2 Louisiana Tech 89  
     
       
  2 Louisiana Tech 80
  3 Mississippi 60  
       
       
  3 Mississippi 74
    6 Houston 68  
     

Final Four - Tacoma, WA (Tacoma Dome)

National Semifinals
April 1 		National Championship
April 3
      
2W Long Beach St. 55
1ME Auburn 68
1ME Auburn 54
2MW Louisiana Tech 56
1E Tennessee 59
2MW Louisiana Tech 68

Record by conference

Fifteen conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:[12]

Conference # of Bids Record Win % Round
of 32		 Sweet
Sixteen		 Elite
Eight		 Final
Four		 Championship
Game
Southeastern 6 9–6 .600 4 4 2 2 1
Atlantic Coast 4 5–4 .556 4 2 2 – –
Atlantic 10 3 3–3 .500 3 1 – – –
Pacific-10 3 3–3 .500 3 3 – – –
Big Eight 3 2–3 .400 3 – – – –
Big East 3 1–3 .250 2 – – – –
Big Ten 2 3–2 .600 2 2 1 – –
Southwest 2 2–2 .500 2 1 1 – –
Metro Atlantic 2 0–2 – – – – – –
Sun Belt 2 0–2 – 2 – – – –
American South 1 5–0 1.000 1 1 1 1 1
Big West 1 3–1 .750 1 1 1 1 –
Colonial 1 1–1 .500 1 1 – – –
Metro 1 1–1 .500 1 – – – –
Southland 1 1–1 .500 1 – – – –

Five conferences went 0-1: High Country, MAC, Missouri Valley Conference, Mountain West, and Ohio Valley Conference [12]

All-Tournament Team

Game Officials

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gregory Cooper. "1988 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. ↑ CART, JULIE (April 2, 1988). "NCAA WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR : CS Long Beach Makes Run for It, Then Gives It Away in 68-55 Loss". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  4. ↑ Young, Linda (April 3, 1988). "Sisters Lead Auburn's Title Quest". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  5. 1 2 KELLOGG, RICK (April 2, 1988). "LOUISIANA TECH TO PLAY AUBURN FINAL". New York Times. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  6. ↑ Greenberg, Mel (April 3, 1988). "Auburn Eyes First Ncaa Crown In Title Game Vs. Louisiana Tech". Philly.com. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  7. ↑ Cour, Jim (Mar 24, 1988). "Auburn to represent SEC in Title game". Kentucky New Era. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  8. ↑ Young, Linda (April 2, 1988). "Tennessee Women Fall To La. Tech". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  9. ↑ KELLOGG, RICK (April 4, 1988). "Women's N.C.A.A.; La. Tech Rallies to Win Title". New York Times. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  10. ↑ Hersch, Hank (April 11, 1988). "Lady Tiger Tamers". CNNSI. Retrieved 4 Nov 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Attendance and Sites" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nixon, Rick. "Official 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
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