University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols A Would-Be No. 1 Seed
February 11, 2015 | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS -- If the season ended today, Holly Warlick's Tennessee women's basketball team would be one of four No. 1 seeds for the 2015 NCAA Tournament, the Division I Women's Basketball Committee announced Wednesday night.
The Lady Vols were joined in the potential No. 1 seed line by UConn, South Carolina and Notre Dame, as the top 20 seeds for the upcoming championship were announced by the women's committee. The announcement came at the conclusion of the panel's Orientation Meeting, which was conducted in Indianapolis on Feb. 10-11.
"There were several reasons for [Wednesday's] unprecedented announcement, said Dru Hancock, chair of the Division I Women's Basketball Committee and senior associate commissioner at the Big 12 Conference. "It's important to keep in mind that [Wednesday's] announcement has no bearing on the final bracket, but we were able to identify those institutions that are a possible top-20 seed so that they can begin preparations to host first- and second-round play, while also building momentum towards the upcoming championship."
Selection Monday will take place at 7 p.m. Eastern March 16 on ESPN. The 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship will utilize a hosting model that will allow the top 16 seeds, who meet championship hosting requirements, to host first- and second-round games on March 20-23.
Tennessee (20-3), winner of eight national championships, has won 16 of the past 17 games and is currently undefeated along with South Carolina at the top of the Southeastern Conference standings at 10-0.
The Lady Vols are in line to host NCAA First- and Second-Round games for the third year in a row and the 22nd time overall. UT is a combined 52-1 all-time in those rounds, sporting a combined 42-0 record in first- and second-round games played in Knoxville.
"The committee believes that the format for the 2015 championship will provide student-athletes with a great championship experience and produce improved attendance," Hancock said. "There is much basketball still to be played, with the committee having already spent an incredible amount of time watching games, evaluating teams and reviewing data. We are in a great place heading into March and are anxious to see how the rest of the regular season and conference tournaments play out."
Regional championship play in 2015 will take place at pre-determined neutral sites: Albany, New York; Greensboro, North Carolina; Oklahoma City; and Spokane, Washington, from March 27-30. The Women's Final Four will be held April 5 and 7 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
