1999 Elite Eight Championship Game Preview

NCAA Division II championship

UND vs. Arkansas Tech

Tipoff: 3:35 p.m. today.

TV: ESPN2.

Radio: KCNN (1590 AM)

UND

North Central Region champion

Record: 30-1. Last 10: 12-0

Conference finish: First, North Central Conference (17-1)

NCAA tournament record: 21-10

Last Elite Eight appearance: 1998, won national title

Coach: Gene Roebuck (12th season, 305-52)

Scouting the Sioux

Don't like to play slow: The Sioux have struggled at times this season against North Central Conference teams that try to slow the game's pace. At Minnesota State-Mankato, South Dakota and Nebraska-Omaha, the Sioux had some anxious moments as all three teams frustrated them with a slower pace. UND will approach the game like all of its games. The Sioux want to hit the boards hard and run.

Balanced attack: In their first two Elite Eight games, the Sioux have had production from different players at different times. Jaime Pudenz's early shooting keyed UND's win over Kennesaw; Katie Richards' offensive barrage down the stretch against Emporia (Kan.) State carried the Sioux to the finals; Tonia Jones came up with key points in the closing minutes against Emporia; Jenny Crouse and Kami Winger both have dominated opponents with their rebounding.

Key to winning: Don't get caught up in the half-court game. Remember championship game is today. It was not Thursday night.

Arkansas Tech

South Region champion

Record: 31-6

Last 10: 8-2

Location: Russelville, Ark.

Conference finish: First, Gulf South

NCAA tournament record: 5-1

Last tournament appearance: 1998

Coach: Joe Foley (13th season, 355-55)

Scouting the Golden Suns

Defense, defense, defense. That's Arkansas Tech's motto. The Golden Suns lost two key guards early in the season and have only nine players. Without much depth, Tech relies on its solid defense. And the Golden Suns do not want to get into a transition game. In four of Tech's five NCAA tournament wins this season, it has held opponents to 64 or fewer points.

Vertically challenged: The Golden Suns do not match up well with the Sioux inside. Their tallest player is 6 feet. But they've faced that problem all season.

Offensive strengths: Freshman guard Mindy Lasater has been Tech's biggest surprise, averaging 12.6 points. She had to take on more of a scoring role after the Suns lost two guards early in the season.

Half-full: Tech's strength is a half-court game. The Suns also are a decent 3-point shooting team, which could create UND problems if the tempo isn't in its favor.

Key to winning: Control the tempo and frustrate the transition-minded Sioux.

-- Wayne Nelson

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