Nebraska coach Connie Yori doesn't claim to be a bracketologist. In fact, she isn't comfortable making any kind of predictions when it comes to the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
However, by closing the regular season with two consecutive victories to clinch a sixth-place finish in the highly regarded Big 12 Conference, Yori sounded pretty confident in thinking that the Huskers have locked up a NCAA Tournament bid.
"I think what this does is it gives us a very good chance to be a NCAA Tournament team," Yori said following last Wednesday night's 55-45 home win over Iowa State. "I think it would be hard to keep us out now.
"The selection committee will make that decision, but I think this solidified our hopes for a NCAA Tournament."
With that in mind, Yori said she thinks Nebraska can play loose in this week's Big 12 Tournament at Kansas City, Mo. The No. 6-seeded Huskers (20-10, 9-7 Big 12) face No. 11 seed Kansas (15-14, 4-12) at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in a first-round game at Municipal Auditorium.
"I think now we can go to the Big 12 Tournament with nothing to lose and we can play relaxed," Yori said. "I don't think we have to worry about getting that first win to get in (to the NCAA Tournament).
"Obviously, we want to go there, win a game to improve our seeding, hopefully get two games and we'll go from there."
Like her coach, Nebraska junior forward Kelsey Griffin doesn't claim to have the whole NCAA Tournament selection process down to a science. However, she does know a fool-proof formula for making sure that the Huskers gain entry into the women's version of the Big Dance.
"I don't really know a lot about RPIs and all that stuff," said Griffin, who has averaged 19 points and 8.7 rebounds in her last 10 games. "I just kind of go out there and play. I don't really follow what the papers are saying or anything like that because it just messes with your head.
"I know winning is good and if you get enough wins, then you're probably going to get into the tournament."
Nebraska is shooting for its second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. Last year, despite losing their Big 12 Tournament opener to Iowa State, the Huskers made the NCAA field and suffered a first-round loss to Temple.
This season, the Huskers are determined to make better postseason showings.
"We're definitely feeling good," Nebraska senior forward Danielle Page said. "We've got a little win streak here, a little momentum and we're playing well. That's definitely the ideal situation going into the Big 12 Tournament.
Game notes
& Nebraska and Kansas split their regular-season series. The Huskers won 71-51 on Lincoln back on Jan. 12, but suffered a 62-61 loss to the Jayhawks on Feb. 17 at Lawrence, Kan., Danielle McCray hit 1-of-2 free-throw attempts with 1.4 seconds to play to give KU the win.
& Kansas is 45-27 all-time against the Huskers, who have won eight of the last 10 meetings in the series. The Jayhawks are 8-3 against Nebraska on neutral courts.
& Nebraska is 7-11 in 11 appearances in the Big 12 Tournament. The Huskers' last Big 12 Tournament win was a 67-59 first-round victory over Colorado in 2006.
Starting Lineups
Kansas (15-14, 4-12) Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.
F Taylor McIntosh 5-11 Sr. 6.7 6.8
F Krysten Boogaard 6-5 Fr. 9.2 5.5
G Ivana Catic 5-8 Jr. 3.9 2.7
G Danielle McCray 5-11 So. 14.5 4.0
G Sade Morris 6-1 Fr. 12.7 5.6
Nebraska (20-10, 9-7) Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.
F Kelsey Griffin 6-2 Jr. 14.9 7.2
F Danielle Page 6-2 Sr. 12.6 6.6
G Yvonne Turner 5-8 So. 8.0 3.4
G Dominique Kelley 5-7 Fr. 6.5 4.2
G Tay Hester 5-10 Jr. 6.4 4.2
WHEN: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Municipal Auditorium Kansas City, Mo.
TV: MyTv (G.I. cable ch. 17; DirecTv ch. 25)
RADIO: KRGI (1430 AM)
WEB: Huskers.com (live audio)
Women's Big 12 Tournament
At Municipal Auditorium
Kansas City, Mo.
First Round
Tuesday, March 11
Iowa State vs. Colorado, noon
Oklahoma vs. Missouri, 2:30 p.m.
Texas vs. Texas Tech, 6 p.m.
Nebraska vs. Kansas, 8:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, March 12
Kansas State vs. Iowa State-Colorado winner, 1 p.m.
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma-Missouri winner, 3:30 p.m.
Baylor vs. Texas-Texas Tech winner, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma State vs. Nebraska-Kansas winner, 9:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Thursday, March 13
Kansas State/Iowa State-Colorado winner vs. Texas A&M/Oklahoma-Missouri winner, 6 p.m.
Baylor/Texas-Texas Tech winner vs. Oklahoma State/Nebraska-Kansas winner, 8:30 p.m.
Championship
Saturday, March 15
Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
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