NCAA Tournament 2000

Texas Tech Lady Raiders
RECORD: 28-5 COACH: Marsha Sharp | SEASON RESULTS

OUTLOOK

First round: Defeated Tennessee Tech, 83-54

Second round: Defeated Tulane, 76-59

Sweet 16: Defeated Notre Dame, 69-65

Elite Eight: Lost to Tennessee, 57-44

Despite the Lady Raiders' 30-4 record in 1999, critics didn't expect much from Texas Tech this season. But coach Marsha Sharp and Co. proved them wrong as Tech won a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. In addition to a pair of talented seniors -- All-Big 12 second-team pick Keitha Dickerson and honorable mention selection Melinda Schmucker-Pharies -- rookie forward-center Plenette Pierson, the conference's Freshman of the Year who averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 rebound per game through the regular season, helped guide Tech to wins over top-25 teams LSU, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma and into the top 10. Tech's ability to bounce a few more big-time teams in the Big Dance shouldn't be questioned.

PROBABLE STARTERS

F - Keitha Dickerson (6-0, Sr., 12.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg)
F - Plenette Pierson (6-1, Fr., 13.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
F - Aleah Johnson (6-1, Sr., 14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G - Katrisa O'Neal (5-6, Jr., 10.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
G - Melinda Schmucker-Pharies (5-9, Jr., 5.9 ppg, 5.6 apg)

NOTABLE

NCAA Tournament titles: One
Final Four appearances: One
Best finish: 1993, National Champions
NCAA Tournament appearances: 13
NCAA Tournament record: 17-11
Last NCAA appearance: 1999, lost to Rutgers, 53-42, regional semfinal

RANKINGS
Final ESPN/USA Today Top 25 ranking: No. 11.
Final The Associated Press poll ranking: No. 11.
Final Ratings Percentage Index ranking: No. 13.

NO. PLAYER                    POS    HT    CLASS
 1  Courtney Pastner           G     5-5     FR
 3  Melinda Schmucker-Pharies  G     5-9     SR
10  Kristi Washington          G     5-10    JR
15  Aleah Johnson              F     6-1     SR
24  Katrisa O'Neal             G     5-6     JR
25  Keitha Dickerson           F     6-0     SR
32  Amber Tarr                 G     6-0     SO
34  Tanisha Ellison            C     6-1     SO
50  Nikki Hendrix              F     6-0     FR
52  Alison Cudnoski            C     6-2     FR
54  Plenette Pierson          F-C    6-1     FR
55  Jamie Nagle                C     6-7     FR


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