Everybody knows about Erin Buescher, the Gauchos' junior who notches a double-double more often than not (16 in 26 regular-season games). The 6-foot-3 guard entered the Big West tourney averaging 17.7 points (on 51 percent shooting), 9.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks, and had scored in double-figures in 70 straight games (a streak that ended in the regular-season finale). But UCSB -- 15-0 at home and 11-0 in the Big West -- also has senior guard Stacy Clinesmith (6.0 apg) and Naismith Coach of the Year finalist Mark French on board, and appear as good as its No. 8 national ranking (its highest ever). Still, even with a big-time player like Buescher, this is the same team that suffered losses to Georgia (85-64 in the Preseason WNIT), Arizona and Kansas this season. Key stat: The Gauchos enter the Big Dance on a nation-best 26-game winning streak.
Final ESPN/USA Today Top 25 ranking: No. 9. Final The Associated Press poll ranking: No. 9. Final Ratings Percentage Index ranking: No. 8. NO. PLAYER POS HT CLASS 3 Kristyn Miller G 5-9 SO 4 Kristi Rohr F 6-1 SR 10 Jessica Hansen G 5-8 FR 11 Erin Buescher G 6-3 JR 12 Nicole Greathouse F-C 6-2 JR 20 Kayte Christensen F 6-3 SO 21 Tawnee Cooper G 5-9 SR 22 Debby Caine G 5-7 FR 25 Stacy Clinesmith G 5-5 SR 32 Rachelle Rogers G 6-0 JR 44 Tandee Taylor C 6-2 SO 45 Lisa Hansen C 6-5 SO |
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