04/03/2001

ST. LOUIS – There will be a few big names missing next season in women's college basketball.

Jackie Stiles, who grabbed national attention as one of the game's most prolific scorers, will be gone. Tamika Catchings, who stayed in the mix despite missing most of this season with a knee injury, will be furthering her career in the WNBA. Certainly, players such as Stiles and Catchings will be missed. As will Connecticut's warrior, Shea Ralph, who endured three torn anterior cruciate ligaments through her career.

2002 Final Four

But there are plenty of youngsters capable of sliding into that vacant spotlight. There is freshman Ashley Robinson of Grand Prairie, who improved her level of play to help Tennessee in Catchings' absence. Or Michelle Snow, the Tennessee center who dunked twice this season. Injuries to a pair of All-Americans gave Connecticut guard Diana Taurasi, another freshman, a chance to prove why she was one of the most highly sought recruits.

Add to that, sophomore Alicia Ratay, who showed during the NCAA championships that Notre Dame should be OK even without Naismith player of the year Ruth Riley.

Then there are freshmen Shereka Wright, of Copperas Cove, and Shalicia Hurns, who helped make Purdue head coach Kristy Curry's first recruiting class No. 1 in the country. Wright and Hurns proved they are ready to lead Purdue, which will lose two starters, including All-America forward Katie Douglas.

"They never played like freshmen in the tournament," Douglas said of her teammates. "We're going to pass our torch, and they'll be back. The future looks very bright."

Definitely, with three returning starters and Wright, who played a lot of minutes this season, Purdue would be a favorite to get back to the Final Four, which will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio next season.

However, getting back isn't a guarantee any more. Notre Dame was the fourth different national champion in as many years. There is reason to believe that trend may continue. Yes, Tennessee and Connecticut will continue to be national powers. And the Sweet 16 may still be full of familiar teams. But it is becoming more difficult to repeat as the champion.

It hasn't been done since Tennessee won three straight titles from 1996-98. Since then, the Lady Vols certainly proved vulnerable, missing the Final Four in two of the last three seasons.

Connecticut's days of dominating the Big East may be over with two losses to Notre Dame.

The discrepancy between the major conferences and smaller conferences may still be large. But with players around the country such as Wright or Duke's Alana Beard or Vanderbilt's Chantelle Anderson, there should be plenty of teams in the power leagues that can contend for the title.

"I really don't think you can expect the same teams to continue to be in the Final Four every year," Wright said. "Women's basketball is expanding, and there are a lot of great players out there."

2002 FINAL FOUR

Staff Writer Tracy Schultz's projection for the 2002 Final Four, to be held at San Antonio's Alamodome:

Purdue – The Boilermakers' young players gained valuable experience through tournament run.

Oklahoma – With All-America guard Stacey Dales, the Sooners will be the first Big 12 team to make it.

Connecticut – The Huskies return most of the starting lineup that made it this year.

Vanderbilt – A loss to champion Notre Dame kept the young Commodores out this season.