The men go airborne and thrill the crowd with thunderous dunks and acrobatic shots. The women, on the other hand, play disciplined team basketball, rooted in fundamentals. A dunk is rare. But don't underestimate the athleticism of the women in their version of March Madness. And don't underestimate the excitement found in the games. Unlike the men's bracket thus far, the women's tournament has not featured many upsets. As of this writing, the top seeds — Maryland, North Carolina and perennial powerhouses Connecticut and Tennessee — are still alive into the Sweet Sixteen. Having the 2008 Women's Final Four in Tampa Bay is simply a big deal. Along with the games, there are a number of extracurricular events, starting with the 4Kay Race on Saturday. Those interested in participating should report to St. Pete Times Forum at 7 a.m. to register and pick up 4Kay T-shirts. Proceeds benefit cancer research through the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, which was created in honor of North Carolina State University women's basketball coach/current cancer sufferer Kay Yow. Saturday through Monday, the interactive Hoop City (dubbed "the ultimate NCAA college hoops experience") features competitions, basketball clinics, prizes, autograph sessions with NCAA coaches and past players, surprise appearances and plenty more. And on Saturday, from 11 a.m.-4:15 p.m., the teams engage in open-to-the-public practice sessions leading up to the Sunday semifinals and the Tuesday night championship game. The arena is sold out, but there's always a chance you could buy a ticket outside the venue. If you care to open up your wallet, club seats are available, including all you can eat and drink, for $365 each. Call 813-301-6518 for information on those. For general info or to see a complete listing of NCAA-related events, visit NCAAMarchMadness2008.com/womens. 4Kay Race, April 5, 8 a.m., 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, $20 in advance/$25 day of, St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa; Hoop City, April 5-7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, $8 adults/$6 children, military, seniors and students, Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa; Open Practices, April 5, noon-4:15 p.m., FREE, St. Pete Times Forum; Semi-Finals, April 6, 7 p.m., and NCAA Championship Final, April 8, 8:30 p.m., St. Pete Times Forum. ESPN and ESPN360.com.
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2008.