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| | Friday, March 16 Chat wrap: Nell Fortner | ||||||
Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Friday, March 16, ESPN women's basketball analyst Nell Fortner, who led the U.S. women's national team to the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, dropped by to take your questions on the women's NCAA tournament. A native of Jackson, Miss., Fortner led the U.S. women to gold with a perfect 8-0 mark. Since being named head coach of Team USA in 1997, she led the team to a 101-14 record, the most wins of any coach in USA Women's Basketball history. Fortner was head coach at Purdue during the 1996-97 season prior to joining Team USA. At Purdue, she took over a team that returned just four players but posted a 12-4 conference record, won a share of the regular-season Big Ten title and finished with a 17-11 overall mark. This summer, Fortner will take the reigns as head coach of the WNBA's Indiana Fever. For upcoming ESPN.com chats, check out our Chat page.
AUSTINrjh87@aol.com from [205.188.200.56], at 3:28pm ET How far do you think the Arkansas Ladybacks will go in the tournament? If they beat Baylor, do you think they could beat Duke?  Nell Fortner at 3:29pm ET
I think Arkansas has the advantage over Baylor today. Gary Blair has a lot of NCAA playoff experience and his team is seasoned from playing in the SEC. I like Baylor's team but I think Arkansas has the edge. They will be hard pressed to be Duke though. Cyclone Fan from [64.68.161.238], at 3:30pm ET Do the Iowa State women have a good shot at the final four? Nell Fortner at 3:31pm ET
I really like Iowa St.'s team. THey have a lot of ways they can hurt you. As I've watched them this year, they have really grown on me. I'm impressed with their outside shooting ability and the strong play of Welle inside. Just when you think all they can do is shoot the ball, they shoot the ball, beat you off the dribble, and either score or get to the free throw line. They have good experinced players who are hungry for a Final 4 appearance. Don't ever underestimate hunger. shannon/tn from [64.7.225.49], at 3:32pm ET Contratulations Nell on your new coaching job at Indiana and your gold medal in Sydney. Do you think that Tennessee and Coach Pat Summit have an advantage this year because of the motivational factor of last seasons lopsided national championship game. If the Lady Vols make it, does Tamika Catchings still have a chance to return? Thanks, and good luck in Indiana! Nell Fortner at 3:33pm ET
Thank you for the congratulations on the gold medal, it was a great experience. I believe Tenn. is highly motivated from the loss in the champ. game last year. They have proven they can play without Catchings although I'm sure they wish they had her. I don't belive Catchings would have a chance to play. Her injury will take more time to heal. Uconn Fan from [128.122.104.48] at 3:35pm ET Congratulations on taking over the coaching job at the Indiana Fever. Do you think you might get a position at a university again? Have you ever considered coaching a men's team? Nell Fortner at 3:35pm ET
Thank you for the congratulations on the Olympics. I love coaching college basketball and that could be a possibility again one day, who knows. As far as wanting to coach men, I would welcome the challenge. Any time, any day!! Becky & Will from [63.151.1.17], at 3:36pm ET Nell, which conference will see the most success in the Big Dance: SEC, Big 10, Big 12, or Big East? Nell Fortner at 3:37pm ET
Hey Becky, good to hear from you! I think the SEC, Big 12, and Big East will make the most noise. Good luck to those LadyJacks! Deanna Glinka from [12.106.210.2], at 3:37pm ET I believe that Women's Basketball has become more exciting over the past 2 - 3 years. Do you agree? And if so why? Nell Fortner at 3:39pm ET
I think the women's game has improved tremendously over the last 10 years, not just the last 2-3 years. Look at the impact the younger players are making to the college game now and that will only continue as the years go on. Our game is only going to get better and better and so will our professional teams because of the strong play in college. Kim from [157.91.90.65], at 3:39pm ET I just finished my first year of coaching and had a great experience, but am always looking for more help. What is the one piece of coaching advice you think would help a new coach out best? Nell Fortner at 3:40pm ET
Do not be concerned about the amount of money you are making now, go wherever you can to get the best coaching experience. There are so many great head coaches in the college game, go and learn as much as you can from them and it will help you in your career. Best of luck to you! Stay positive! Michele from [204.180.61.217], at 3:41pm ET How do you think Notre Dame will do in the tourney? Michele(Fever season ticket holder.:) Nell Fortner at 3:42pm ET
I think ND will make a strong run throughout the tourney. It is hard to predict how far any team goes in this tournament because of all the competition. But if ND plays as well as they have played throughout the majority of the year, they will be very hard to beat. William from [137.188.8.18], at 3:43pm ET Nell, I really like your insight. Tell me what you think about Lindsey Wilson from Iowa State who I think is an underrated super sophomore. If you look at the stats, as she goes so go the Cyclones. Aggressive guard play is particularly important in the postseason so if she does well as she did last year, leading scorer against Penn State in the heartbreaker things could be tough for Notre Dame. Go Cyclones!! Nell Fortner at 3:44pm ET
I think she is on her way to becoming a very nice player. She can hurt you several different ways. But I like it best when she beats people off the dribble. It really opens the floor up for Iowa St. to either dish to the open shooter or for her to get to the free throw line. Dawg80 from [63.70.130.164], at 3:44pm ET Will we see as many upsets in the women's tourney as we are seeing in the men's? If so, do you have a prediction on a big upset? Nell Fortner at 3:45pm ET
I could be totally wrong on this but my first reaction to the question is no I don't think we will see as many upsets in the women's tournament as we have seen in the men's. As our game continues to grow, and great players are spread more evenly around the country, then we will start seeing more upsets in the NCAA tournament. julie from [198.108.160.12], at 3:46pm ET what is your opinion on Tamika Catchings only getting 3rd team all conference? i feel she deserved much more.. Nell Fortner at 3:47pm ET
My opinion is she is either first team all conference or just leave her off any of the teams. She has proven herself over the past three years, that she is one of the best players to ever play the college game. It was unfortunate that she got hurt but it doesn't mean she is any less of a player. I say give it to her all or none. Sue from [209.113.178.81], at 3:48pm ET Who is the player in the tournament that you expect to step up the most to give their team a realistic shot at the title? Nell Fortner at 3:50pm ET
I'm afraid I can't just answer with one name, I'll have to give you several; Sameka Randall at Tennessee, Sue Bird at UConn, Katie Douglas at Purdue, Niele Ivey at Notre Dame. You notice that these are guards and have the ball in their hands a lot. This is one of the most important things in the playoffs, you must take care of the basketball. WBB Fan from [165.230.39.21], at 3:50pm ET Nell, What do you think about the game between Rutgers and Southwest Missouri State? Possibly the best 2nd round game. Nell Fortner at 3:52pm ET
I think this is one of the best second round games out there assuming both teams get there. You have a great defensive team in Rutgers and the leading NCAA scorer in Jackie Stiles. It will just be great to watch Rutgers figure out how to defend Stiles and SMS figure out how to get Stiles some shots. robb williams from [153.104.104.118], at 3:52pm ET What about Villanova's chances against Drake. What about Leon Barmore's chances. Nell Fortner at 3:54pm ET
I like Villanova's chances against Drake. They've played in a tough conference, they play tough basketball. Never count Leon Barmore out of anything! His team is young but they are fighters and so is Leon. Nathan Osburn, Sooner Fan from [64.217.5.137], at 3:54pm ET So, tell us your take on Stacey Dales and how the Olympic experience can help her... even though Canada didn't win gold. Nell Fortner at 3:56pm ET
Anytime a player can play basketball for their country it will only improve their game and add to their overall experience. Stacy Dales' plays like she is much older than she actually is because she has had so much more game experience under her belt. I watched her for three years, having played against Canada with our National Team and she has improved more than any player I have ever seen on Canada's team. She still will get better. robb williams from [153.104.104.118], at 3:56pm ET Thanks Nell. I appreciate the insight. Go Leon. I hope Dr. Ballard gets some TV time.Robb Nell Fortner at 3:57pm ET
Hey Robb, actually I hope Dr. Ballard gets no TV time. We don't want to see an injury. Terp Fan from [128.8.48.4], at 3:59pm ET Do you feel Chris Weller can bring Maryland back to the days of Vicky Bullett? Nell Fortner at 4:01pm ET
If she can find another Vicky Bullet then they will be back to those glory days! Recruiting is your bread and butter in the college game but getting those types of players is not easy. Chris has definitly had some great ones at Maryland. Greg Wright from [166.66.16.67], at 4:02pm ET Hi Nell. Can Georgia beat UConn in an East Regional final in Pittsburgh (provided both teams get there)? If so, how? Also, are there any "sleeper" teams in the double-digit seeds which you believe could surprise in the early rounds? Thanks. Nell Fortner at 4:04pm ET
If these two teams meet in the East Regional finals, i want a front row seat. This would be a great matchup and too close to call. UConn beat Georgia at the beginning of the season so Georgia has the revenge factor. But UConn has so many other factors going for them also. Georgia is extremely talented in their front and back courts as is UConn. I think this game would go down to the wire with everything that is at stake. Sue from [209.113.178.81], at 4:04pm ET Who is the best point guard this year and why? Nell Fortner at 4:05pm ET
Hi Sue ... are you Sue Bird? Just kidding. It is hard to narrow it down to just one. How about Senior class and Junior class? Kelly Miller in the Senior class and Sue Bird in the junior class. How's that? Chris from [216.33.206.222], at 4:06pm ET Ok I know this is a men's tourney question, but can Maryland beat Stanford and Duke to make it to Minneapolis? Nell Fortner at 4:06pm ET
No. Goober from [12.10.144.194], at 4:06pm ET Have you been to Italy and what is your favorite city? Nell Fortner at 4:07pm ET
Hi Sean! I like Bologna the best. Thanks for the question! Easy Ed from [192.251.173.34], at 4:07pm ET Do you think teams dependent on freshman like UCONN (Taurasi) or DUKE (Beard) are more likely to have an inconsistent game that could lead to an upset? Nell Fortner at 4:09pm ET
Taurasi and Beard might be freshman in name only but definitly not in experience. Their USA basketball experience has made them older players which translates into less mistakes on the floor. These players thrive on the competition and the big games. I think they will be just fine in the tournament. Nell Fortner at 4:10pm ET
Thanks for all the questions ... we had some great ones. I hope everyone enjoys the tournament and I wish every team the best of luck!!! Keep your TVs on ESPN so you don't miss anything. See ya soon. Don't forget to watch the highlight show tonight at midnight ET. Nell. | |||||||
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