2007 Women's Final Four - Cleveland (Day 2)

Today, I started the day at the ESPN Briefing. This was the usual song and dance ESPN has been putting on for the last few years. The only good thing out of it was the free food and t-shirt.

After this was over, I proceeded over to the Kodak/WBCA All-American Team Press Conference.

Here is the list of recipients:
Jessica Davenport------The Ohio State University
Sylvia Fowles------Louisiana State University
Lindsey Harding------Duke University
Crystal Langhorne------University of Maryland
Ivory Latta------University of North Carolina
Angel McCoughtry------University of Louisville
Courtney Paris------University of Oklahoma
Candace Parker------University of Tennessee
Armintie Price------University of Mississippi
Candice Wiggins------Stanford University

It was also announced that State Farm will become the title sponsor for the All-American team beginning with the 2007-2008 season. Kodak has been the title sponsor of this award for the last 33 years. The new name of the team will be "The State Farm Coaches' All American Team." State Farm is the current title sponsor for the Wade Trophy and Players of the Year awards.

The 2007 State Farm Wade Trophy winner is: 6'-4" guard/forward/center from Naperville, Illinois, Candace Parker - University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

I expected the winner to be Lindsey Harding (Duke), but maybe she lost it by Duke not being in the Final Four. While watching the first two weeks of tournament play, Candace appears that she has taken the Lady Vols team on her shoulders and declared they will win or lose based on her performance. Maybe this swayed the voters to her side (not that Tennessee hasn't played good all year).

One last note, I saw the University of Texas Lady Longhorns coach at the All-American and Wade Trophy presentation. (And I don't mean Jody Conradt)

Keep viewing my daily blogs to get a first hand view of behind the scenes action of the Final Four by a true fan of women's basketball.