U. staying close to home

Just like a couple of days earlier after they won the Mountain West Conference tournament, the Utah women's basketball players and coaches were all smiles Monday afternoon.

Although they had to wait about 40 minutes to finally see "Utah" appear on the ESPN bracket, the Utes were thrilled to discover they received a No. 5 seed and will be playing Middle Tennessee in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday at 11 a.m.

"Getting a 5 seed is awesome, the highest seed we've ever had, and we're staying close to home," said senior Shona Thorburn, who earned MVP honors at the MWC tourney. "We've played there before (in November), so we're a little familiar with it, and that should be in our favor."

Utah coach Elaine Elliott was just hoping for a short plane ride, and Tucson works out great because her parents live in Phoenix, and "it will be an easy trip for them," she said.

Elliott said she was expecting anywhere from a No. 4 to a No. 7 seed, so she wasn't surprised when the Utes' draw was announced.

"A 5 seed is nice and shows some respect for our league and helps validate our season," she said. "Being close is nice because it keeps you a little fresher."

Elliott didn't know the first thing about Middle Tennessee, but she was going to check her film library Monday evening and no doubt by now has a good start on scouting the Blue Raiders.

Behind Chrissy Givens, Middle Tennessee finished second in the Sun Belt Conference but won the conference tournament and comes in with a 20-10 record.

The Utes had better beware because last year the Blue Raiders were a No. 12 seed and upset North Carolina State in the first round and the year before were a No. 13 seed and knocked off North Carolina.

"Everybody's good — you can't get too excited thinking you have a great draw and that you'll have a cakewalk," Elliott said. "We know we have to prepare well and play well, no matter who we're playing."

For Thorburn and fellow seniors Kim Smith and Julie Larsen, it's their last chance to make an NCAA run.

Tourney bracket Requires Adobe Acrobat.

While the Utes aren't looking ahead, they would love to at least match the achievement of the 2001 Utes by reaching the Sweet 16. If they get by Middle Tennessee and the winner of Arizona State-Stephen F. Austin, they would advance to the regional in Albuquerque, where they could play on a familiar court at The Pit. Beyond that is the Final Four in Boston the following week.

"Hey, you can always dream," said Thorburn.

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E-mail: sor@desnews.com