Mountain West Conference women’s tournament capsules

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 | 10:14 a.m.

By Ron Kantowski

No. 1 New Mexico

COACH: Don Flanagan.

OVERALL RECORD: 20-7.

MWC RECORD: 12-2.

BEST PLAYER: Lindsey Arndt, junior, forward.

BEST WIN: Beat Utah (No. 40 RPI) 49-46.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: Air Force.

2004 VS. FALCONS: Won at Colorado Springs 64-43, won in Albuquerque 79-31.

STRENGTHS: Stingy 2-3 defense leads the NCAA in scoring defense.

WEAKNESSES: Balanced team that lacks true "go-to" player.

No. 2 Utah

COACH: Elaine Elliott.

OVERALL RECORD: 22-6.

MWC RECORD: 12-2.

BEST PLAYER: Kim Smith, sophomore, forward.

BEST WIN: Beat Western Kentucky (No. 68 RPI) 84-55.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: San Diego State.

2004 VS. AZTECS: Won 56-29 at San Diego, won 63-51 at Salt Lake City.

STRENGTHS: Tournament-tested team features conference's premier player in the savvy Smith.

WEAKNESSES: Overtime home loss to UNLV on last weekend of regular season raises questions.

No. 3 UNLV

COACH: Regina Miller.

OVERALL RECORD: 21-6.

MWC RECORD: 10-4.

BEST PLAYER: RanDee Henry, junior, forward.

BEST WIN: Beat Utah (No. 40 RPI) 68-60 (OT).

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: Brigham Young.

2004 VS. COUGARS: Won 77-64 at Las Vegas, won 67-59 at Provo.

STRENGTHS: Three offensive threats in Henry, forward Sherry McCracklin and guard Sheena Moore; conference's best rebounding team.

WEAKNESSES: Suspect perimeter shooting.

No. 4 Colorado State

COACH: Chris Denker.

OVERALL RECORD: 17-10.

MWC RECORD: 8-6.

BEST PLAYER: Joy Jenkins, senior, forward.

BEST WIN: Beat New Mexico (No. 73 RPI) 72-57.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: Wyoming.

2004 VS. COWGIRLS: Lost 58-53 at Laramie, won 60-49 at Fort Collins.

STRENGTHS: Postseason tradition; 5-1 in past six MWC games.

WEAKNESSES: Consistency, especially away from home.

No. 5 Wyoming

COACH: Joe Legerski.

OVERALL RECORD: 10-17.

MWC RECORD: 6-8.

BEST PLAYER: Ashley Elliott, junior, guard.

BEST WIN: Beat Colorado State (No. 80 RPI) 58-53.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: Colorado State.

2004 VS. RAMS: Won 58-53 at Laramie, lost 60-49 at Fort Collins.

STRENGTHS: Elliott is averaging 20 points over her past five outings.

WEAKNESSES: After starting 4-2 in the MWC, finished by going 2-6.

No. 6 Brigham Young

COACH: Jeff Judkins.

OVERALL RECORD: 15-13.

MWC RECORD: 5-9.

BEST PLAYER: Julie Sullivan, junior, guard.

BEST WIN: Beat Weber State (No. 11 RPI), 68-51.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: UNLV.

2004 VS. LADY REBELS: Lost 77-64 at Las Vegas, lost 67-59 at Provo.

STRENGTHS: Tradition, good-team defense.

WEAKNESSES: MWC's biggest underachievers, were picked for second in preseason.

No. 7 San Diego State

COACH: Jim Tomey.

OVERALL RECORD: 8-19.

MWC RECORD: 3-11.

BEST PLAYER: Michelle Elliott, freshman, guard.

BEST WIN: Beat Colorado State (No. 80 RPI) 58-55.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: Utah.

2004 VS. UTES: Lost 56-29 at San Diego, lost 63-51 at Salt Lake City.

STRENGTHS: Quickness, narrowly beat No. 1 seed New Mexico two weeks ago.

WEAKNESSES: Not enough firepower.

No. 8 Air Force

COACH: Ardie McInelly.

OVERALL RECORD: 3-24.

MWC RECORD: 0-14.

BEST PLAYER: Letricia Castillo, freshman, guard.

BEST WIN: Beat Portland (No. 172 RPI) 57-51.

FIRST-ROUND OPPONENT: New Mexico.

2004 VS. LOBOS: Lost 65-43 at Colorado Springs, lost 79-31 at Albuquerque.

STRENGTHS: Discipline.

WEAKNESSES: Too many to mention.

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