In a chat with ESPN.com users, Meyers cited Rutgers tough defense and Penn State's consistent play as factors that could bring some unexpected surprises in Friday's semifinals. But it will still be on these two teams to play their best games of the year.

"Does Penn State have players that can step up?," asks Meyers. We don't know. That is why it is so important for the starters on both teams to play well."

In case you missed Meyers' March 31 chat, the following is an edited transcript.

Glen: Do you think Penn St. or Rutgers has a chance tonight against Connecticut and Tennessee? And if they do what do they have to do to win?

Ann Meyers: Yes they do. Any one of them can win. It's one of the first times, in talking to all the basketball people here, that people feel that anybody can win. It's not just about UConn and Tennessee. Defense will play a big part. Rutgers has the best defense in the nation and they hold opponents under their point production. And normally they have kept their top players down. It will be a real physical game. They held Tennessee to a poor shooting percentage and Holdsclaw to 8 points. Penn State lost to UConn earlier this year 87-74 but an advantage is that they did play and Penn State is playing great going into the tournament. You cannot overlook any of these teams.

Sarah: Penn State is a great team, but don't you think their lack of depth -- 7-8 deep -- will hurt against UConn, which always seems to run its opponents into the ground?

Ann Meyers: UConn's bench is a great advantage. Does Penn State have players that can step up? We don't know. That is why it is so important for the starters on both teams to play well.

joanne: How much time do you have to put into "studying" up on the teams that reached the Final Four? And how often have you really been able to see teams like Penn State or Rutgers play this year, other than in the NCAA Tournament?

Ann Meyers: How late was I up last night? We don't get to see all the games throughout the tournament. You focus on the teams that are in your region. With different time zones and late games it is tough. And when you are in a hotel, you usually don't get ESPN2. It's doing a lot of interviews, reading media guides, talking to everyone. For me, there is a lot of homework to be done. Not much socializing around here.

Mike: Hello Ann -- Here is a question pertaining to both games tonight. What are some of the player matchups should we as fans look for in both the semifinal games?

Ann Meyers: For the first game, you have Rutgers that plays a match up zone and is so aggressive. The two point guards with Tasha Pointer and Kara Larson is key. They are both very poised and have played well in the tournament. I think Pointer has that Philly attitude even though she is from Chicago. She runs the team and her teammates play a lot of minutes. The inside game is a great matchup as well in this game. Shawnetta Stewart against Catchings is a great matchup also.

In the UConn game, again it is the point guard position with Helen Darling and Sue Bird. Bird has been the difference in that team. Darling has really stepped it up averaging almost 9 assists a game in the tournament. She can shoot the three really well which is a plus. UConn is like Tennessee in that nobody stands out scoring wise but they have four players in double figures. It's really spread out.

Zymurg: Geno is very good at designing defensive schemes to take one of the opponents key players out of the game. Which PSU player is likely to receive this special treatment?

Ann Meyers: I think Garner who is really important to Penn State to score points and be a part of the game will be the focus.

Mary: Hi Ann. It seems the refs are calling a lot of hand checks and letting harder fouls go.

Ann Meyers: There is a hand check rule that has been in effect the last two years. I have a tendency to disagree at this point in the season because the players have adjusted. You will see more of that. You are right though. It has gotten a lot more physical.

mb3124: The games have been very physical so far and in Tennessee's case, this has resulted in some injuries. Will the players be given as much freedom in these final games?

Ann Meyers: I believe the officials will let them play as much as they can. I really don't think officials go into games saying I'm going to get so and so. They want to blend into the crowd. You are always going to get officials who make good and bad calls.

Philly girl: All of the teams have at least one connection to the Philadelphia area. Do you think that has been a distraction at all? Or is it just more motivation?