After 132 days, 34 games and one historic upset, the women's basketball team has found itself right back where it began the season-in San Jose.
While the Blue Devils made zero geographical progress, their status has skyrocketed from a team that suffered a 30-point humiliation at the hands of Connecticut in the season opener, to a team that dethroned Tennessee, and more importantly, stands just two wins away from the program's first ever national championship.
Although the rest of the country may still be buzzing about Duke's win against the three-time defending champions, Duke coach Gail Goestenkors has shifted her focus to Georgia (27-6), Duke's opponent in the national semifinals.
Before shockwaves of the Tennessee upset had died down, Goestenkors was studying game film and working the phones early Tuesday morning. She sought the advice of fellow ACC coaches Jim Davis and Agnus Beranato, whose teams both played Georgia this season.
"I can't slow down right now," Goestenkors said. "When you're so close to something you worked so hard for, I don't think I can take time to breathe right now. I'll have plenty of time after next week to take all the vacations and look back and enjoy everything, but right now, I'm plowing ahead. I'm calling all of my buddies and taking all suggestions right now."
But before Goestenkors and the Blue Devils can complete their metaphorical journey, they must first deal with the streaking Bulldogs that come fresh off an 89-71 rout of Iowa State in the
While the Bulldogs are no strangers to the Final Four, having now been to three in the last five seasons, their appearance in this year's Final Four came as a surprise to most. Georgia's path to San Jose, however, became much clearer when Iowa State knocked off top-seeded UConn.
"This is like a dream come true," Georgia guard Kelly Miller said. "This is one of the reasons we came to Georgia. I'm so excited. I can't believe we're actually going to the Final Four."
Miller may not believe it, but she's as big a reason as any why the Bulldogs are still practicing these days. The 5-foot-10 sophomore guard poured in a career-high 33 points on 12-of-14 shooting to lift her team into the Final Four. And her twin sister, Coco, who has scored more than 18 points per game this season, bounced back with an effective game against the Cyclones after a nightmarish and tear-filled outing against Clemson.
"Georgia's an outstanding team; love the transition, love to press," Goestenkors said. "They've got the Miller twins... that are just fantastic-run and gun, hit the three, can penetrate, pull-up jumpers-they've got the complete game. So it's going to be a real tough task for us."
What may be even scarier, however, is how Georgia has played of late. Although the Bulldogs, who finished 12th in the final polls, suffered three losses to Tennessee and dropped four games in a five game span midway through the season, they have turned on the jets since the NCAAs began.
After dispatching Liberty and SMU in Athens, the Bulldogs notched their most impressive victory of the season against Clemson, who beat Duke twice this season, by breaking open a close game in the second half. Monday night, Georgia pounced on Iowa State early and cruised to an 18-point win to punch its ticket to San Jose.
"I told them that there's greatness that's waiting to come out," Georgia coach Andy Landers said. "It was about the regionals that they started to dig some of it out. This group hasn't always been the picture of consistency, but we're starting to come together at the right time."
Right now, however, it could be impossible to convince the Blue Devils that any opponent could present an unwinnable challenge for them. Coming off its methodical defeat of the nearly mythical Tennessee team, Duke oozes swagger, confidence and hunger.
"[The Tennessee win] was tremendous," Hilary Howard said. "It's like a double dream come true-going to the Final Four and beating Tennessee. But obviously, we have unfinished business. We're not just content to go to the Final Four. Right now we feel like we have momentum, we're confident."
Whether that swagger translates into a mental edge or overconfidence, only time can tell. But one thing is for certain, the Blue Devils aren't satisfied with just beating the Lady Vols. The ultimate prize for the program rests just two wins away.
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