1991 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament

The 1991 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament began on March 13 and ended on March 31. The tournament featured 48 teams. The Final Four event was hosted by the University of New Orleans, and held at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.[1] The Final Four teams consisted of Tennessee, Stanford, Connecticut, and Virginia, with Tennessee defeating Virginia 70-67 (OT) to win its third NCAA title.[2] Virginia's Dawn Staley was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.[3]

1991 NCAA Division I
women's basketball tournament
Teams48
Finals siteLakefront Arena
New Orleans, Louisiana
ChampionsTennessee Volunteers (3rd title, 4th title game,
7th Final Four)
Runner-upVirginia Cavaliers (1st title game,
2nd Final Four)
Semifinalists
Winning coachPat Summitt (3rd title)
MOPDawn Staley (Virginia)
NCAA Division I women's tournaments
«1990 1992»

This tournament was the first to adopt the FIBA's 10ths-second clock during the final minute of each period, unlike whole seconds as in past seasons.

Notable events

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James Madison earned an 8 seed and beat the 9 seed, Kentucky in a first round match-up. This set up a game between the Dukes, and the number 1 seed in the East Regional Penn State, with the game played on the Penn State home court. The game started out in favor of the home team, as they scored the first eleven points of the game, forcing JMU coach Sheila Moorman to call a timeout. The lead extended, with the Nittany Lions pulling out to a 24–9. The coach decided to stress defense and it helped, but Penn State held a 41–29 lead at halftime. The team continued to stress defense in the second half, and the Dukes held Penn State to six points in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Dukes took a lead, and were up by four points with under twelve minutes to go. Penn State cut the lead to two points, and with 19 seconds to go attempted a three-point shot for the win, but the shot was blocked, and JMU would upset the top seed. It was only the second time in the ten-year history of the NCAA tournament that a number 1 seed had failed to advance to the regional. Coincidentally, first time was in 1986 when number 1 seeded Virginia failed to reach the regional when they were defeated by James Madison.[4]

10th seeded Vanderbilt upset 7th seeded South Carolina, then went on to defeat the second seeded Purdue 69–63, to advance to the regional, where they would lose to Auburn. 10th seeded Lamar upset 7th seeded Texas, then went on to a 20-point victory over second seeded LSU. Oklahoma State faced Michigan State in a game that would go to three overtimes. Oklahoma State won 96–94.

Connecticut defeated Clemson in the Regional final to earn their first trip to a Final Four. There they would take on one seeded Virginia. Connecticut's coach, Geno Auriemma started his women's basketball college coaching career as an assistant coach under Debbie Ryan at Virginia. In a game identified in 2009 as one of the top ten games in UConn history, Tonya Cardoza scored 16 points for the Cavaliers, including four three throws in the final second to help Virginia defeat Connecticut 61–55. Tonya Cardoza would go on to become an assistant coach at Connecticut for many years.[5]

In the other semifinal game, Tennessee defeated Stanford 68–60 to advance to the championship game against Virginia. The Cavaliers would lead by five points with under two minutes to go, but Tennessee's Dena Head scored, was fouled, and converted the free throw to cut the margin to two points. Virginia failed to score, then fouled Head with seconds to go, who sank the free throws to send the game to overtime. Head continued to hit free throws in overtime, and the Volunteers went on to win the game and the national championship 70–67.[6]

Qualifying teams – automatic

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Forty-eight teams were selected to participate in the 1991 NCAA Tournament. Twenty-one conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1991 NCAA tournament.[7]

Automatic bids
    Record  
Qualifying school Conference Regular
Season
Conference Seed
Appalachian State University Southern Conference 19–13 5–5 12
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Southwest 27–3 15–1 3
University of Connecticut Big East 26–4 14–2 3
DePaul University North Star Conference 19–11 11–3 12
Florida State University Metro 24–6 12–2 5
California State University, Long Beach Big West Conference 23–7 15–3 4
Louisiana Tech University American South 18–11 9–3 10
Louisiana State University SEC 24–6 5–4 2
Southwest Missouri State University Gateway 25–4 16–2 8
University of Montana Big Sky Conference 26–3 16–0 11
North Carolina State University ACC 26–5 9–5 2
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater Big Eight 25–5 11–3 5
Pennsylvania State University Atlantic 10 29–1 17–1 1
Purdue University Big Ten 26–2 17–1 2
University of Richmond Colonial 26–4 11–1 7
Stanford University Pac-10 23–5 16–2 2
Stephen F. Austin State University Southland 25–4 14–0 8
Tennessee Technological University Ohio Valley Conference 22–7 11–1 9
University of Toledo MAC 23–6 13–3 11
University of Utah WAC 20–9 9–3 12
Western Kentucky University Sun Belt Conference 28–2 6–0 4

Qualifying teams – at-large

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Twenty-seven additional teams were selected to complete the forty-eight invitations.[7]

At-large bids
    Record  
Qualifying school Conference Regular
Season
Conference Seed
Auburn University Southeastern 24–5 7–2 3
California State University, Fullerton Big West 24–7 14–4 7
Clemson University Atlantic Coast 20–10 8–6 4
Fairfield University Metro Atlantic 25–5 15–1 12
The George Washington University Atlantic 10 22–6 15–3 10
University of Georgia Southeastern 26–3 9–0 1
College of the Holy Cross Patriot 24–5 12–0 11
University of Iowa Big Ten 20–8 13–5 6
James Madison University Colonial 24–4 11–1 8
University of Kentucky Southeastern 20–8 4–5 9
Lamar University American South 26–3 12–0 10
University of Maryland, College Park Atlantic Coast 17–12 9–5 6
Michigan State University Big Ten 21–7 13–5 4
University of Mississippi Southeastern 20–8 4–5 9
Northwestern University Big Ten 20–8 12–6 6
Providence College Big East 25–5 13–3 5
Rutgers University Atlantic 10 23–6 15–3 6
University of South Carolina Metro 22–8 12–2 7
University of Southern California Pacific-10 17–11 11–7 5
University of Tennessee Southeastern 25–5 6–3 1
University of Texas at Austin Southwest 21–8 14–2 7
Texas Tech University Southwest 23–7 12–4 9
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Big West 24–6 15–3 8
Vanderbilt University Southeastern 17–11 4–5 10
University of Virginia Atlantic Coast 27–2 14–0 1
University of Washington Pacific-10 23–4 15–3 3
Washington State University Pacific-10 18–10 10–8 11

Bids by conference

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Twenty-one conferences earned an automatic bid. In ten cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. Two conferences, Metro Atlantic and Patriot sent a single representative as an at-large team. Twenty-five additional at-large teams were selected from ten of the conferences.[7]

Bids Conference Teams
7 Southeastern LSU, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
4 Atlantic Coast North Carolina St., Clemson, Maryland, Virginia
4 Big Ten Purdue, Iowa, Michigan St., Northwestern
4 Pacific-10 Stanford, Southern California, Washington, Washington St.
3 Atlantic 10 Penn St., George Washington, Rutgers
3 Big West Long Beach St., Cal St. Fullerton, UNLV
3 Southwest Arkansas, Texas, Texas Tech
2 American South Louisiana Tech, Lamar
2 Big East Connecticut, Providence
2 Colonial Richmond, James Madison
2 Metro Florida St., South Carolina
1 Big Eight Oklahoma St.
1 Big Sky Montana
1 Metro Atlantic Fairfield
1 Mid-American Toledo
1 Missouri Valley Missouri St.
1 North Star DePaul
1 Ohio Valley Tennessee Tech
1 Patriot Holy Cross
1 Southern Appalachian St.
1 Southland Stephen F. Austin
1 Sun Belt Western Ky.
1 Western Athletic Utah

First and second rounds

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Providence
 
Piscataway
 
Harrisonburg
 
Richmond
 
Tallahassee
 
Nashville
 
Springfield
 
Worcester
 
Evanston
 
Stillwater
 
Nacogdoches
 
Austin
 
Missoula
 
Las Vegas
 
Los Angeles
 
Fullerton
1991 NCAA first round
 
 
Clemson
 
Storrs
 
University Park
 
Raleigh
 
West Lafayette
 
Bowling Green
 
Knoxville
 
Auburn
 
Stillwater
 
Charlottesville
 
Beaumont
 
Fayetteville
 
Stanford
 
Athens
 
Seattle
 
Long Beach
1991 NCAA second round

In 1991, the field remained at 48 teams. The teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1-12 in each region. In Round 1, seeds 8 and 9 faced each other for the opportunity to face the 1 seed in the second round, seeds 7 and 10 played for the opportunity to face the 2 seed, seeds 5 and 12 played for the opportunity to face the 4 seed, and seeds 6 and 11 played for the opportunity to face the 3 seed. In the first two rounds, the higher seed was given the opportunity to host the first-round game. In most cases, the higher seed accepted the opportunity. The exceptions:[8]

  • Seventh seeded South Carolina played tenth seeded Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt
  • Sixth seeded Maryland played eleventh seeded Holy Cross at Holy Cross
  • Sixth seeded Iowa played eleventh seeded Montana at Montana
  • Fourth seeded Michigan State played fifth seeded Oklahoma State at Oklahoma State
  • Second seeded LSU played tenth seeded Lamar at Lamar

The following table lists the region, host school, venue and the thirty-two first and second round locations:

Region Rnd Host Venue City State
East 1 Providence College Alumni Hall (Providence) Providence Rhode Island
East 1 Rutgers University Louis Brown Athletic Center Piscataway New Jersey
East 1 James Madison University James Madison University Convocation Center Harrisonburg Virginia
East 1 University of Richmond Robins Center Richmond Virginia
East 2 Clemson University Littlejohn Coliseum Clemson South Carolina
East 2 University of Connecticut Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Storrs Connecticut
East 2 Pennsylvania State University Recreation Building (Rec Hall) University Park Pennsylvania
East 2 North Carolina State University Reynolds Coliseum Raleigh North Carolina
Mideast 1 Florida State University Tully Gymnasium Tallahassee Florida
Mideast 1 Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt University) Nashville Tennessee
Mideast 1 Southwest Missouri State University Hammons Student Center Springfield Missouri
Mideast 1 Holy Cross Hart Center Worcester Massachusetts
Mideast 2 Purdue University Mackey Arena West Lafayette Indiana
Mideast 2 Western Kentucky University E.A. Diddle Arena Bowling Green Kentucky
Mideast 2 University of Tennessee Thompson-Boling Arena Knoxville Tennessee
Mideast 2 Auburn University Memorial Coliseum (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum) Auburn Alabama
Midwest 1 Northwestern University Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston Illinois
Midwest 1 Oklahoma State University Gallagher-Iba Arena Stillwater Oklahoma
Midwest 1 Stephen F. Austin University William R. Johnson Coliseum Nacogdoches Texas
Midwest 1 University of Texas Frank Erwin Center Austin Texas
Midwest 2 Oklahoma State University Gallagher-Iba Arena Stillwater Oklahoma
Midwest 2 University of Virginia University Hall (University of Virginia) Charlottesville Virginia
Midwest 2 Lamar University Montagne Center Beaumont Texas
Midwest 2 University of Arkansas Barnhill Arena Fayetteville Arkansas
West 1 University of Montana Dahlberg Arena Missoula Montana
West 1 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Thomas and Mack Center Paradise Nevada
West 1 University of Southern California Lyon Center Los Angeles California
West 1 California State University, Fullerton Titan Gym Fullerton California
West 2 Stanford University Maples Pavilion Stanford California
West 2 University of Georgia Georgia Coliseum (Stegeman Coliseum) Athens Georgia
West 2 University of Washington Hec Edmundson Pavilion Seattle Washington
West 2 Long Beach State University Gym (Gold Mine) Long Beach California

Regionals and Final Four

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Philadelphia
 
Knoxville
 
Austin
 
Las Vegas
 
New Orleans
1991 NCAA regionals and Final Four

The Regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 22 to March 24 at these sites:

Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held March 30 and March 31 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Lakefront Arena, co-hosted by University of New Orleans & Tulane University.

Bids by state

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The forty-eight teams came from thirty states, plus Washington, D.C. California and Texas had the most teams with four each. Twenty states did not have any teams receiving bids.[7]

 
NCAA Women's basketball Tournament invitations by state 1991
Bids State Teams
4 California Long Beach St., Stanford, Cal St. Fullerton, Southern California
4 Texas Stephen F. Austin, Lamar, Texas, Texas Tech
3 Tennessee Tennessee Tech, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
3 Virginia Richmond, James Madison, Virginia
2 Connecticut Connecticut, Fairfield
2 Illinois DePaul, Northwestern
2 Kentucky Western Ky., Kentucky
2 Louisiana Louisiana Tech, LSU
2 North Carolina Appalachian St., North Carolina St.
2 South Carolina Clemson, South Carolina
2 Washington Washington, Washington St.
1 Alabama Auburn
1 Arkansas Arkansas
1 District of Columbia George Washington
1 Florida Florida St.
1 Georgia Georgia
1 Indiana Purdue
1 Iowa Iowa
1 Maryland Maryland
1 Massachusetts Holy Cross
1 Michigan Michigan St.
1 Mississippi Ole Miss
1 Missouri Missouri St.
1 Montana Montana
1 Nevada UNLV
1 New Jersey Rutgers
1 Ohio Toledo
1 Oklahoma Oklahoma St.
1 Pennsylvania Penn St.
1 Rhode Island Providence
1 Utah Utah

Brackets

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First and second-round games played at higher seed except where noted.

Mideast regional – Knoxville, TN

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First round
March 13
Second round
March 16–17
Regional semifinals
March 21
Regional finals
March 23
            
1 Tennessee 55
8 Missouri St. 47
8 Missouri St. 94
9 Tennessee Tech 64
1 Tennessee 68
4 Western Kentucky 61
4 Western Kentucky 72
5 Florida St. 69
5 Florida St. 96
12 Appalachian St. 57
1 Tennessee 69
3 Auburn 65
2 Purdue 63
10 Vanderbilt 69
7 South Carolina 64
10 at Vanderbilt 73
10 Vanderbilt 45
3 Auburn 58
3 Auburn 84
11 Holy Cross 58
6 Maryland 74
11 at Holy Cross 81

West regional – Las Vegas, NV

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First round
March 13
Second round
March 16–17
Regional semifinals
March 21
Regional finals
March 23
            
1 Georgia 86
8 UNLV 62
8 UNLV 70
9 Texas Tech 65
1 Georgia 87
4 Long Beach St. 77
4 Long Beach St. 83
5 Southern California 58
5 Southern California 63
12 Utah 52
1 Georgia 67
2 Stanford 75
2 Stanford 91
7 Cal St. Fullerton 67
7 Cal St. Fullerton 84
10 Louisiana Tech 80
2 Stanford 73
3 Washington 47
3 Washington 70
6 Iowa 53
6 Iowa 64
11 at Montana 53

East regional – Philadelphia, PA

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First round
March 13
Second round
March 16–17
Regional semifinals
March 21
Regional finals
March 23
            
1 Penn State 71
8 James Madison 73
8 James Madison 70
9 Kentucky 62
8 James Madison 55
4 Clemson 57
4 Clemson 103
5 Providence 91
5 Providence 88
12 Fairfield 87
4 Clemson 57
3 Connecticut 60
2 North Carolina St. 94
10 George Washington 83
7 Richmond 62
10 George Washington 73
2 North Carolina St. 71
3 Connecticut 82
3 Connecticut 81
11 Toledo 80
6 Rutgers 65
11 Toledo 83

Midwest regional – Austin, Texas

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First round
March 13
Second round
March 16–17
Regional semifinals
March 21
Regional finals
March 23
            
1 Virginia 74
8 Stephen F. Austin 72
8 Stephen F. Austin 73
9 Ole Miss 62
1 Virginia 76
5 Oklahoma St. 61
4 Michigan St. 94
5 at Oklahoma St. 96 (3OT)
5 Oklahoma St. 81
12 DePaul 80
1 Virginia 85
10 Lamar 70
2 LSU 73
10 at Lamar 93
7 Texas 63
10 Lamar 77
10 Lamar 91
3 Arkansas 75
3 Arkansas 105
6 Northwestern 68
6 Northwestern 82
11 Washington St. 62

Final Four – New Orleans, LA

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National semifinals
March 30
National championship
March 31
      
1ME Tennessee 68
2W Stanford 60
1ME Tennessee 70
1MW Virginia 67 (OT)
3E Connecticut 55
1MW Virginia 61

Record by conference

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Seventeen conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:[7]

Conference # of Bids Record Win % Round
of 32
Sweet
Sixteen
Elite
Eight
Final
Four
Championship
Game
Southeastern 7 11–6 .647 5 4 3 1 1
Atlantic Coast 4 7–4 .636 3 3 2 1 1
Pacific-10 4 5–4 .556 3 2 1 1
Big Ten 4 2–4 .333 4
Big West 3 3–3 .500 3 1
Atlantic 10 3 1–3 .250 2
Southwest 3 1–3 .250 1 1
Big East 2 4–2 .667 2 1 1 1
American South 2 3–2 .600 1 1 1
Colonial 2 2–2 .500 1 1
Metro 2 1–2 .333 1
Big Eight 1 2–1 .667 1 1
Gateway 1 1–1 .500 1
Mid-American 1 1–1 .500 1
Patriot 1 1–1 .500 1
Southland 1 1–1 .500 1
Sun Belt 1 1–1 .500 1 1

Seven conferences went 0-1: Big Sky Conference, MAAC, North Star Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Southern Conference, and WAC[7]

All-Tournament team

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Game officials

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  • Mike Brooks (semifinal)
  • June Courteau (semifinal)
  • Art Bomengen (semifinal)
  • John Morningstar (semifinal)
  • Patty Broderick (final)
  • Lou Pitt (final) [7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Important Dates in Privateer History". University of New Orleans. December 4, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  2. ^ Gregory Cooper. "1991 NCAA National Championship Tournament". Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2007.
  3. ^ "CHN Basketball History: Most Outstanding Player". Archived from the original on January 25, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2007.
  4. ^ "2009-10 JMU Women's Basketball Guide". James Madison University. September 16, 2010. p. 110. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  5. ^ "UConn Moments: Top 10 Women's Games". Hartford Courant. October 18, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  6. ^ "Tennessee tips Virginia women in NCAA final". Bangor Dailey News. April 1, 1991. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Nixon, Rick. "Official 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  8. ^ "Attendance and Sites" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved March 19, 2012.