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1987 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament

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The 1987 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament began on March 11, ended on March 29, and featured 40 teams. The Final Four were Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, and Long Beach State, with Tennessee winning its first title with a 67-44 victory over Louisiana Tech.[1] Tennessee's Tonya Edwards was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.[2]

1987 NCAA Division I
women's basketball tournament
Teams40
Finals siteFrank Erwin Center
Austin, Texas
ChampionsTennessee Volunteers (1st title, 2nd title game,
4th Final Four)
Runner-upLouisiana Tech Lady Techsters (3rd title game,
4th Final Four)
Semifinalists
Winning coachPat Summitt (1st title)
MOPTonya Edwards (Tennessee)
NCAA Division I women's tournaments
«1986 1988»

Notable events

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Upsets were not unknown in the NCAA tournaments. For example, in the prior year, two 4 seeds made it to the Final Four. However, in the first five NCAA tournaments, once a team reached the Final Four, no team had beaten a higher seeded team. That changed in 1987.[3]

One semifinal game matched defending National Champion Texas against Louisiana Tech. Although both teams were 1 seeds, the Texas team came into the tournament with only a single regular season loss, earning them the number one ranking in the country. In addition, the Final Four was played on the home court of the Longhorns. Despite that, and a crowd of over 15 thousand, the largest crowd in the history of the sport, the Louisiana Tech team managed to beat the Texas team 79–75. The Lady Techsters hit 58.3% of their field goals, the fourth best performance in NCAA Final Four history, and a blistering 73.9% in the second half, missing only six of the 23 shots taken in the second half. Texas tried to wear down Teresa Weatherspoon, but set an NCAA Final Four record with eleven assists, while putting in 19 points of her own.[4][5]

The other semifinal game matched 2 seed Tennessee against 1 seed Long Beach State. Although Long Beach was averaging over 96 points per game, and had scored 102 in the West Regional final against Ohio State, the Lady Vols held the team to 64 points, and upset the 1 seed by a score of 74–64.[5]

The lone loss by Texas in the regular season had been to Tennessee, ending the Longhorns 40 game win streak, but the two teams played again two weeks later, and this time Texas emerged victorious, with a 14-point victory. Tennessee earned the number one ranking in the AP vote after the win over Texas, but they began to stumble after the loss to Texas, with losses to Auburn, Mississippi and Vanderbilt. They played Louisiana Tech in February, and the lady Techsters won by nine points, dropping the Lady Vols to ninth in the poll.[6] The Tennessee team earned a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but after their upset win against Long Beach, they faced the Louisiana Tech team again, a team that had beaten the Volunteers in 11 of the last 12 meetings. One of those meetings had been the 1982 National Championship game, when the Lady Techsters beat the Volunteers by 23 points. The 1987 Championship would turn that result on its head, as Tennessee won by 23 points, upsetting Louisiana Tech 67–44, for their first National Championship.[7]

Records

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Teresa Weatherspoon recorded 11 assists in the National Semifinal game, the most scored in a Final Four game since they started keeping records of this statistic in 1985.[3]

Qualifying teams – automatic

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Forty teams were selected to participate in the 1987 NCAA Tournament. Eighteen conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1987 NCAA tournament.[8]

Automatic bids
    Record  
Qualifying school Conference Regular
Season 		Conference Seed
Auburn University SEC 29–1 8–1 1
Bowling Green State University MAC 27–2 16–0 9
Eastern Washington University Mountain West 18–11 8–4 10
James Madison University Colonial 26–3 12–0 4
University of Kansas Big Eight 19–12 9–5 7
Manhattan College MAAC 20–10 6–6 10
New Mexico State University High Country 23–6 10–2 9
North Carolina State University ACC 23–6 11–3 3
Northeast Louisiana Southland Conference 14–9 9–1 10
Ohio State University Big Ten 24–4 17–1 2
Old Dominion University Sun Belt Conference 17–12 5–1 5
Rutgers University Atlantic 10 28–2 17–1 2
University of Southern California Pac-10 21–7 15–3 3
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Missouri Valley Conference 27–2 18–0 5
University of Southern Mississippi Metro 21–8 6–6 10
Tennessee Technological University Ohio Valley Conference 23–6 12–2 7
University of Texas at Austin Southwest 28–1 16–0 1
Villanova University Big East 27–3 15–1 6

Qualifying teams – at-large

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Twenty-two additional teams were selected to complete the forty invitations.[8]

At-large bids
    Record  
Qualifying school Conference Regular
Season 		Conference Seed
Duke University Atlantic Coast 18–9 7–7 7
University of Georgia Southeastern 26–4 7–2 2
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Big Ten 18–9 11–7 8
University of Iowa Big Ten 24–4 17–1 3
Kansas State University Big Eight 22–8 9–5 8
California State University, Long Beach Pacific Coast 30–2 17–1 1
Louisiana State University Southeastern 20–7 6–3 4
Louisiana Tech University Independent 26–2 –- 1
University of Memphis Metro 20–8 10–2 6
University of Mississippi Southeastern 24–4 7–2 4
University of New Orleans Independent 25–6 –- 6
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Atlantic Coast 19–9 9–5 4
Northwestern University Big Ten 19–9 12–6 9
University of Oregon Pacific-10 22–6 14–4 7
Pennsylvania State University Atlantic 10 23–6 16–2 5
Saint Joseph's University Atlantic 10 22–8 14–4 9
University of South Alabama Sun Belt 24–5 5–1 8
University of Tennessee Southeastern 23–6 6–3 2
Vanderbilt University Southeastern 23–9 4–5 5
University of Virginia Atlantic Coast 25–4 12–2 3
University of Washington Pacific-10 22–6 14–4 8
Western Kentucky University Sun Belt 24–8 4–2 6

Bids by conference

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Nineteen conferences earned an automatic bid. In eleven cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. Nineteen at-large teams were selected from eight of the conferences. In addition, two independent (not associated with an athletic conference) teams earned at-large bids.[8]

Bids Conference Teams
6 Southeastern Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
4 Big Ten Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio St.
4 Atlantic Coast Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina St., Virginia
3 Sun Belt Old Dominion, South Ala., Western Kentucky
3 Pacific-10 Oregon, Southern California, Washington
3 Atlantic 10 Penn St., Rutgers, St. Joseph's
2 Metro Memphis, Southern Miss.
2 Independent Louisiana Tech, New Orleans
2 Big Eight Kansas, Kansas St.
1 Southwest Texas
1 Pacific Coast Long Beach St.
1 Ohio Valley Tennessee Tech
1 Mountain West Eastern Washington
1 Missouri Valley Southern Ill.
1 Mid-American Bowling Green
1 Metro Atlantic Manhattan
1 High Country New Mexico St.
1 Gulf Star Northwestern St.
1 Colonial James Madison
1 Big East Villanova

First and second rounds

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In 1987, the field remained at 40 teams. The teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1-10 in each region. In Round 1, seeds 8 and 9 faced each other for the opportunity to face the 1 seed in the second round, while seeds 7 and 10 faced each other for the opportunity to face the 2 seed. In the first two rounds, the higher seed was given the opportunity to host the first round game. In most cases, the higher seed accepted the opportunity. The exceptions:[3]

  • Eighth seeded South Alabama played nine seed Saint Joseph's (PA) at Saint Joseph's (PA)
  • Seventh seeded Eastern Washington played tenth seeded University of Oregon at University of Oregon
  • Second seeded Ohio State played tenth seeded University of Oregon at University of Oregon
  • Third seeded North Carolina State played sixth seeded Villanova at Villanova

Because Oregon hosted both a first and second round game, there were only 23 first and second round locations, rather than 24.

The following table lists the region, host school, venue and the twenty-four first round locations:

 
 
Philadelphia
 
Durham
 
Austin
 
Piscataway
 
Harrisonburg
 
Villanova
 
Champaign
 
Cookeville
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1987 NCAA first round (Philadelphia and Villanova are almost indistinguishable)
 
 
Chapel Hill
 
Auburn
 
Knoxville
 
Charlottesville
 
Evanston
 
Iowa City
 
Monroe
 
Athens
 
Baton Rouge
 
Ruston
 
Seattle
 
Eugene
 
Los Angeles
 
University
 
Long Beach
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1987 NCAA second round
Region Rnd Host Venue City State
East 1 Saint Joseph's University Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse Philadelphia Pennsylvania
East 1 Duke University Cameron Indoor Stadium Durham North Carolina
East 2 University of Texas Frank Erwin Center Austin Texas
East 2 Rutgers University Louis Brown Athletic Center Piscataway New Jersey
East 2 James Madison University James Madison University Convocation Center Harrisonburg Virginia
East 2 Villanova University The Pavilion Villanova Pennsylvania
Mideast 1 University of Illinois Assembly Hall (Champaign) Champaign Illinois
Mideast 1 Tennessee Tech Eblen Center Cookeville Tennessee
Mideast 2 University of North Carolina Carmichael Auditorium Chapel Hill North Carolina
Mideast 2 Auburn University Memorial Coliseum (Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum) Auburn Alabama
Mideast 2 University of Tennessee Stokely Athletic Center Knoxville Tennessee
Mideast 2 University of Virginia University Hall (University of Virginia) Charlottesville Virginia
Midwest 1 Northwestern University Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston Illinois
Midwest 2 University of Iowa Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City Iowa
Midwest 2 University of Louisiana at Monroe Ewing Coliseum Monroe Louisiana
Midwest 2 University of Georgia Georgia Coliseum (Stegeman Coliseum) Athens Georgia
Midwest 2 Louisiana State University LSU Assembly Center (Pete Maravich Assembly Center) Baton Rouge Louisiana
Midwest 2 Louisiana Tech University Thomas Assembly Center Ruston Louisiana
West 1 University of Washington Hec Edmundson Pavilion Seattle Washington
West 1 University of Oregon McArthur Court Eugene Oregon
West 2 University of Southern California Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Los Angeles California
West 2 University of Mississippi Tad Smith Coliseum University Mississippi
West 2 Long Beach State University Gym (Gold Mine) Long Beach California

Regionals and Final Four

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Knoxville
 
Monroe
 
Los Angeles
 
Fayetteville
 
Austin
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1987 NCAA regionals and Final Four

The regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 20 to March 23 at these sites:

Bids by state

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The forty teams came from twenty states. Louisiana and Tennessee had the most teams with four each. Thirty states did not have any teams receiving bids.[8]

 
NCAA Women's basketball Tournament invitations by state 1987
Bids State Teams
4 Louisiana Northwestern St., LSU, Louisiana Tech, New Orleans
4 Tennessee Tennessee Tech, Memphis, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
3 Illinois Southern Ill., Illinois, Northwestern
3 North Carolina North Carolina St., Duke, North Carolina
3 Pennsylvania Villanova, Penn St., St. Joseph's
3 Virginia James Madison, Old Dominion, Virginia
2 Alabama Auburn, South Ala.
2 California Southern California, Long Beach St.
2 Kansas Kansas, Kansas St.
2 Mississippi Southern Miss., Mississippi
2 Ohio Bowling Green, Ohio St.
2 Washington Eastern Washington, Washington
1 Georgia Georgia
1 Iowa Iowa
1 Kentucky Western Kentucky
1 New Jersey Rutgers
1 New Mexico New Mexico St.
1 New York Manhattan
1 Oregon Oregon
1 Texas Texas

Brackets

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First and second round games played at higher seed except where noted.

East regional – Fayetteville, North Carolina (Cumberland County Memorial Arena)

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First round
March 11 		Second round
March 13–15 		Regional semifinals
March 19–20 		Regional finals
March 21
            
8 South Alabama 56
9 at St. Joseph's 67*
9 St. Joseph's 56
1 Texas 86
1 Texas 91
4 James Madison 57
5 Vanderbilt 60
4 James Madison 68
1 Texas 85
2 Rutgers 77
7 Duke 70
10 Manhattan 55
7 Duke 64
2 Rutgers 78
2 Rutgers 75
3 North Carolina State 60
3 North Carolina State 68
6 at Villanova 67

Midwest regional – Northeast Louisiana University – Monroe, Louisiana (Fant–Ewing Coliseum)

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First round
March 11 		Second round
March 13–15 		Regional semifinals
March 19–20 		Regional finals
March 22
            
8 Northwestern 62
9 Kansas State 61*
8 Northwestern 60
1 Louisiana Tech 82
1 Louisiana Tech 66
5 Southern Illinois 53
5 Southern Illinois 70
4 LSU 56
1 Louisiana Tech 66
3 Iowa 65
7 Kansas 78
10 Northeast Louisiana 72
7 Kansas 51
2 Georgia 82
2 Georgia 60
3 Iowa 62
3 Iowa 68
6 New Orleans 46

Mideast regional – University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Tennessee (Stokely Athletic Center)

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First round
March 11 		Second round
March 13–15 		Regional semifinals
March 19–20 		Regional finals
March 22
            
8 Illinois 80
9 Bowling Green 64
8 Illinois 58
1 Auburn 92
1 Auburn 77
5 Old Dominion 61
5 Old Dominion 76
4 North Carolina 58
1 Auburn 61
2 Tennessee 77
7 Tennessee Tech 78
10 Southern Mississippi 66
7 Tennessee Tech 59
2 Tennessee 95
2 Tennessee 66
3 Virginia 58
3 Virginia 76
6 Memphis State 75

West regional – University of Southern California – Los Angeles (Pauley Pavilion)

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First round
March 11 		Second round
March 13–15 		Regional semifinals
March 19–20 		Regional finals
March 22
            
8 Washington 86
9 New Mexico State 73
8 Washington 57
1 Long Beach State 72
1 Long Beach State 94
4 Mississippi 55
5 Penn State 75
4 Mississippi 80
1 Long Beach State 102
2 Ohio State 82
7 Eastern Washington 56
10 at Oregon 75
10 at Oregon 62
2 Ohio State 76
2 Ohio State 74
3 USC 63
3 USC 81
6 Western Kentucky 69

Final Four – University of Texas – Austin, Texas (Frank Erwin Center)

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National semifinals
March 27 		National championship
March 29
      
1E Texas 75
1MW Louisiana Tech 79
1MW Louisiana Tech 44
2ME Tennessee 67
2ME Tennessee 74
1W Long Beach State 64

Record by conference

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Fifteen conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:[8]

Conference # of Bids Record Win % Round
of 32 		Sweet
Sixteen 		Elite
Eight 		Final
Four 		Championship
Game
Southeastern 6 9–5 .643 6 4 2 1 1
Big Ten 4 6–4 .600 4 2 2 – –
Atlantic Coast 4 3–4 .429 4 2 – – –
Atlantic 10 3 3–3 .500 3 1 1 – –
Pacific-10 3 3–3 .500 3 1 – – –
Sun Belt 3 1–3 .250 2 1 – – –
Independent 2 4–2 .667 2 1 1 1 1
Big Eight 2 1–2 .333 1 – – – –
Metro 2 0–2 – 1 – – – –
Pacific Coast 1 3–1 .750 1 1 1 1 –
Southwest 1 3–1 .750 1 1 1 1 –
Colonial 1 1–1 .500 1 1 – – –
Gateway 1 1–1 .500 1 1 – – –
Ohio Valley 1 1–1 .500 1 – – – –

Six conferences went 0-1: Big East, Gulf Star Conference, High Country, MAAC, MAC, and Mountain West[8]

All-Tournament team

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Game officials

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  • Bill Stokes (semifinal)
  • Larry Sheppard (semifinal)
  • June Courteau (Semi-Final, Final)
  • Patty Broderick (Semi-Final, Final) [8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gregory Cooper. "1987 NCAA National Championship Tournament". Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2007.
  2. ^ "CHN Basketball History: Most Outstanding Player". Archived from the original on January 25, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c "Attendance and Sites" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  4. ^ HOWARD-COOPER, SCOTT (March 28, 1987). "Top-Ranked Longhorns Get Hook : Louisiana Tech Upsets Defending Champion Texas, 79-75". LA Times. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Texas Upset, 79-75". New York Times. March 28, 1987. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  6. ^ "Tennessee Media Guide". November 10, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  7. ^ Diaz, Jaime. "1987: Finally First Prize At The Big Dance". Sports Illustrated. CNNSI. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Nixon, Rick. "Official 2022 NCAA Women's Final Four Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
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