Idaho State is first hurdle to clear

Tara schmoozes with Idaho State coach Jon Newlee during their team's practices on Friday
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Cardinal hoping to ward off Bengals

By: John Reid, Palo Alto Daily News

Stanford (28-4) has climbed to No. 5 in the country in the latest Associated Press poll. Head coach Tara VanDerveer will tell you that and $1.75 will buy you a hot cup of coffee somewhere. The Cardinal, the No. 2 seed in the Fresno Regional of the NCAA Tournament, won't look past No. 15 Idaho State (17-13) when the two teams tip off at Maples Pavilion Saturday at approximately 1:30 p.m. The Bengals are fresh off winning the Big Sky Tournament, defeating Northern Arizona 84-78. (More ...)

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Idaho State - Stanford Preview

From: ESPN.com

The opportunity to potentially play its first four games close to home has Stanford excited about its latest trip to the NCAA tournament. The Cardinal will have the luxury of playing on their home floor Saturday when they face Idaho State in a first-round matchup at Maples Pavilion. (More ...)

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Stanford determined to protect its home floor in NCAAs this time

By: Janie McCauley, AP Sports

Tara VanDerveer looks back at some of Stanford's most painful NCAA tournament losses and a defeat to Minnesota at home in 2003 is right up there. (More ...)

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Opening Quotes

From: GoStanford

Stanford Opening Statement: "We are very excited to be playing in the NCAA Tournament. We know it will be a great tournament and we just want to do our very, very best and that's what our team will do." (More quotes from Tara, Candice, Brooke and New ... )

Idaho State Opening Statement: "It's been a great week since we won the Big Sky Tournament, a lot of excitement back home. I'm very excited for our team especially for all the people coming back; it's a great way to build for next year and a great way for our lone senior, Jeni Boesel to go out. She's really deserved it, she's worked so hard, everybody really has and I'm just really excited for Idaho State to be here being able to represent the Big Sky." (More quotes from Coach Jon Newlee, Andrea Lightfoot, Jeni Boesel and Natalie Doma ... )