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Thursday, February 27
Updated: March 3, 12:16 AM ET
 
Former OU star joins Fortner, Davis in studio

ESPN.com news services

BRISTOL, Conn. -- For the first time, ESPN anchor Rece Davis will host studio coverage of the women's NCAA Tournament on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Full Court this year.

Stacey Dales
Stacey Dales-Schuman helped lead OU to the best season in Big 12 history in 2002.
Stacey Dales-Schuman, who helped guide Oklahoma to last season's national championship game before moving on to the WNBA's Washington Mystics, will join the Davis in studio as an analyst. She will work with Nell Fortner, coach of the WNBA's Indiana Fever, who will return as NCAA Tournament studio analyst for the third consecutive year.

Davis, Dales-Schuman and Fortner will help usher in a new era as 2003 will mark the first time that all 63 games will be televised. From March 22 through April 8, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Full Court will combine to feature complete first-round through national championship game coverage, culminating with the Final Four from Atlanta. Just eight years ago (1995), only seven games were televised nationally from the event.

The trio will help to direct viewers from one game to another as ESPN plans aggressive game switches during the first two rounds as action dictates. The commentators will also appear during pre-games segments, as well as at halftime and post-game. Robin Roberts, who was named news anchor on ABC's Good Morning America in 2002 and continues to host select ESPN SportsCenter shows, had hosted NCAA Tournament coverage the past seven years.

"The two distinct perspectives of Stacey and Nell will allow us to blend analysis from a contemporary player with inside coaching strategy," said Tina Thornton, ESPN coordinating producer. "Their combined expertise, guided by a seasoned host in Rece, will offer viewers consistent and telling insight throughout this unprecedented 63-game journey."





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