OSU women's basketball notebook

East Tennessee State won the Atlantic Sun Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. It's the same conference that produced Belmont in the men's tournament, the team that nearly upset No. 2 seed Duke on Thursday night.

"Those teams that win mid-major conferences are very dangerous,” said Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke. "They get on long winning streaks and believe in themselves.”

•Easy buckets? Since both teams like to score in transition, one key will be which team has more success running its fast break.

"(OSU) likes to push it,” said ETSU senior Jenny Norman. "They have a really fast team. We need to make sure to get back, stop them in transition and be strong inside to relieve our guards. We need to be ready to help on the defensive end.”

•Maiden voyage: East Tennessee State's team held a selection show watch party at a sports bar in Johnson City, Tenn. The place was packed Monday night to see where the Bucs, making their first NCAA appearance, would be placed on the bracket.

Asked her favorite memory, ETSU coach Karen Kemp said: "When this team made history. Our president (Paul Stanton Jr.) climbed up the ladder and helped us cut down the net. I'll never forget that. He said it was amazing for him, something he will never forget.”

•Watchful eye: One of ETSU's top offensive threats is 5-foot-11 senior guard Michele DeVault, who averages 12.8 points and has hit 34.1 percent of her 3-pointers (58 of 170).

"We have to know where she is at all times,” said OSU guard Taylor Hardeman, the Cowgirls' perimeter defensive stopper. "You can't let those type players get into a rhythm.”

•Familiar faces: ESPN's broadcasting team is Beth Mowins (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst). Mowins was a softball star. Fraschilla is a Big 12 men's analyst and has worked first- and second-round women's NCAA Tournament games the past three years.

"What's been thrilling for me is the women have more of an emphasis on fundamentals because it's a game played below the rim,” Fraschilla said. "It comes down to execution. As a former coach you really appreciate teams that execute the fundamentals.

"I've gotten to know some of the Big 12 women's coaches. I saw the Cowgirls play at Colorado this year. I know Andrea Riley. Her father, Roosevelt, is a really good AAU coach. He's had my boys in his programs. I've had an interest watching her. She's a terrific player.”

•Key stats: Budke has stressed all year that if the Cowgirls get three or more players in double figures to complement Riley, they usually win.

•Tell-tale stats for OSU: The Cowgirls are 18-1 when they out rebound opponents, 21-1 when they score 70 or more points and are 24-2 when leading at halftime.

By Mike Baldwin