Five Reasons to Cheer

Looking for a team that will inspire you to say hip hip hooray at Final Four time? We've got you covered

Xavier guard Reeta Piipari (4). Xavier University

TEMPLE: Was last year's 10-18 Owls team underachieving or is this year's 13-7 squad (as of Feb. 5), made up of virtually the same players, overachieving? We're not sure, but one thing is clear: Dawn Staley, WNBA Charlotte Sting star, two-time Olympian and now rookie clipboard wielder, is as natural a coach as she was a point guard. By instituting a run-and-gun offense and a hard-nosed defense, Staley has made the Owls a force. Temple leads the Atlantic 10 with 13.4 steals a game.

DRAKE: Every team needs emotional motivation, but the Bulldogs have more than their share. In December two team members were diagnosed with possible life-threatening illnesses: sophomore reserve forward Martha Chaput with Stage II Hodgkin's Disease and freshman backup guard Mandy Kappel with a brain tumor, which proved to be benign. Though both players have temporarily left the team for treatment, their teammates are honoring them by wearing Chaput's number 31 and Kappel's number 3 on their shoes.

And the winner will be ... We'll take Notre Dame . Barring injury to one of their stars, the Irish have the inside-out resources to take it all the way. But watch out for: 1. Tennessee Even without injured Tamika Catchings (torn right ACL), the Lady Vols stomped SEC-rival Georgia. And one should never bet against coach Pat Summitt come tournament time. 2. Connecticut Though the Huskies are still loaded with talent, poise, hustle and Final Four experience, they may struggle without star forward Svetlana Abrosimova (torn left foot ligament). 3. Duke A flock of athletic freshmen has helped create one of the most disruptive defenses in the country. The Blue Devils are averaging five blocks and 12 steals a game. 4. Purdue The Boilermakers' intense full-court pressure forces nearly 20 turnovers a game (and gives up less than 60 points). DARK HORSE: Rutgers coach Vivian Stringer's son is injured in a car crash; guard Tasha Pointer almost loses an eye when shot with a BB gun over the summer. Does this team's fighting spirit need any more boosts?

XAVIER: Before the season coach Melanie Balcomb said of her team, and of sophomore point guard Amy Waugh (last season's Atlantic 10 rookie of the year), "We're going to go as Amy goes." But when Waugh went out with an Achilles injury in October, Reetta Piipari, a sophomore guard who was used sparingly last year at the two spot, stepped in. With Piipari leading the team -- and the nation -- with 9.4 assists a game, the Musketeers were 19-2 as of Feb. 5.

LOUISIANA TECH: Coach and state treasure Leon Barmore, who was persuaded to postpone his retirement last summer, likes to say, "It's easy to get on top but it's hard to stay there." Aside from Tennessee, no one has done that as well as the Lady Techsters, who -- despite a small budget and regional recruiting base -- have been in 10 Final Fours and six title games in the last 19 years, twice winning it all.

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE: Two things we'd like to see: (1) more of the Bears' surpassing senior shooter Jackie Stiles, who won't be on national TV until the NCAA tournament, but was averaging 31.7 points a game as of Feb. 5; and (2) the seismic wave of hoopla that would spread from the school's fan base in the southwest corner of the state to St. Louis in the east should the long shot Bears make the Final Four.

For more March Madness features -- including top moments in women's Final Four history and SI For Women's All-America team -- check out Sports Illustrated For Women magazine, on newsstands now.

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