Hoops Dynasty
A comprehensive analysis of the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, detailing the path to Baylor's championship, key matchups, notable upsets, and team statistics.
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Tournament Overview
Key Details
The 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament featured 64 teams competing for the national championship. The tournament commenced on March 19, 2005, and culminated on April 5, 2005. For the first time, the Final Four was hosted at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana, with Butler University and the Horizon League serving as hosts.
Championship Outcome
The Baylor Bears, under the guidance of Coach Kim Mulkey, secured their first national championship, defeating the Michigan State Spartans in the final. The championship game score was 84-62. Baylor's standout player, Sophia Young, was named the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the tournament.
Final Four Participants
The Final Four comprised four formidable teams:
- Baylor Bears: Champions, making their first Final Four appearance.
- Michigan State Spartans: Runner-up, also in their inaugural Final Four.
- LSU Tigers: Their second Final Four appearance.
- Tennessee Volunteers: Their sixteenth Final Four appearance, marking a significant coaching milestone for Pat Summitt.
Notable Events & Milestones
Cinderella Runs & Upsets
The tournament witnessed several remarkable upsets. In the Chattanooga Regional, the 13th-seeded Liberty Flames achieved significant victories, defeating Penn State and DePaul before falling to LSU in the regional semifinal. This demonstrated the competitive parity and potential for surprise performances within the bracket.
Coaching Records
A significant coaching milestone occurred when Tennessee's legendary coach Pat Summitt recorded her 880th career victory in a second-round game against Purdue. This win surpassed Dean Smith's record, placing Summitt at the top of the all-time NCAA career victories list for college basketball coaches.
Historic Comebacks
The Final Four was marked by extraordinary comebacks. In the first semifinal, Baylor rallied from a 15-point deficit against LSU to secure a 68-57 victory. In the second semifinal, Michigan State staged a remarkable comeback against Tennessee, overcoming a 16-point deficit in the second half to win 68-64, tying the record for the largest deficit overcome in an NCAA Tournament semifinal game.
Tournament Venues
First and Second Rounds
The tournament began with subregionals held at eight locations across the United States, a strategic move to minimize games played on teams' home courts and utilize the "pod system" for greater team proximity to their home cities:
- March 19 & 21: Seattle, WA (Host: Washington); Dallas, TX (Hosts: Texas, Texas Tech); Fresno, CA (Host: Fresno State); Minneapolis, MN (Host: Minnesota).
- March 20 & 22: College Park, MD (Host: Maryland); Chapel Hill, NC (Host: North Carolina); Storrs, CT (Host: UConn); Knoxville, TN (Host: Tennessee).
Regional Championships
The regional tournaments, named after their host cities for the first time, determined the Final Four participants:
- Chattanooga Regional: McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, TN (Host: UT Chattanooga)
- Tempe Regional: Wells Fargo Arena, Tempe, AZ (Host: Arizona State)
- Philadelphia Regional: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA (Host: Temple)
- Kansas City Regional: Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, MO (Host: UMKC)
The Final Four convened at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Conference Representation
Automatic Bids
Thirty-one conferences earned automatic bids. The distribution highlights the breadth of conference champions participating in the national tournament.
At-Large Selections
Thirty-three additional teams were selected as at-large bids, representing the nation's top programs that did not win their conference tournaments but earned a place based on their season performance.
Conference Breakdown
The Atlantic Coast Conference led with seven bids, followed closely by the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences, each securing six bids. This distribution reflects the competitive landscape and strength of these major collegiate athletic conferences.
Geographic Distribution
State Representation
The 64 participating teams hailed from 31 states and the District of Columbia. Texas led the nation with seven teams in the tournament, followed by Virginia with five, and California, North Carolina, and Tennessee each with four representatives.
Tournament Brackets & Progression
Regional Showdowns
The tournament was structured into four regions: Chattanooga, Tempe, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. Each region featured a 16-team bracket, culminating in a regional final that determined the Final Four participant.
Chattanooga Regional Bracket
The Chattanooga Regional saw top-seeded LSU advance, overcoming challenges including an upset bid by 13th-seeded Liberty.
Tempe Regional Bracket
The Tempe Regional saw the emergence of Baylor, who defeated North Carolina in a highly anticipated matchup.
Philadelphia Regional Bracket
The Philadelphia Regional was dominated by top-seeded Tennessee, though Rutgers provided a notable upset against Ohio State.
Kansas City Regional Bracket
The Kansas City Regional was won by top-seeded Michigan State, who famously overcame a significant deficit in the Final Four.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely exhaustive or reflect the most current information. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the data is presented as-is.
This is not sports analysis or betting advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional sports analysis, statistical evaluation, or strategic consultation. Always refer to official NCAA resources and consult with qualified sports analysts or statisticians for specific insights or predictions.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.