I hear Norfolk is nice this time of year.
That's where North Carolina's women will almost certainly be heading in two weeks. The Tar Heels locked up a number one seed -- that's #1 overall -- in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with a win over Maryland. The Tar Heels avenged their only loss of the season 91-80, thanks to a pair of 26-point performances (Ivory Latta and Erlana Larkins).
The days of top-seeded teams hosting first and second round games are gone now, replaced by pre-selected sites. And, the closest site for UNC is Norfolk.
Chances are the next stop would be Bridgeport, CT -- not exactly a primo vacation spot in March, but it's exactly where the top team in the country should be heading. Cleveland, Albuquerque and San Antonio are the other regional sites, and Bridgeport fits best geographically.
What's amazing is that three of the four #1 seeds could be ACC schools -- Duke and Maryland warrant their own #1 seeds.
Also, if you're a believer in omens consider this: Twelve years ago Sylvia Hatchell coached Carolina's women to a national championship. One year earlier, the Tar Heel men won the '93 title. Coincidence? Of course! But it's interesting how things cycle back around, and if history repeats itself Carolina could follow up another men's title with another women's title. They certainly have the talent.
