WBB in Cincy: Talking up Tuomi

By Weinman

Check out a great feature by Jayne Cornwell written exclusively for VUcommodores.com on Commodore junior Hannah Tuomi.

Perseverance, Determination, Guts: Tuomi

There was also some good ink (pun intended after you've read the above article) on the Commodores on ESPN.com by Graham Hays: Marsh, Rhoads go the distance

Tomorrow night's game (6 p.m. CT) is scheduled for regional coverage on ESPN2 and will be simulcast nationally on ESPNU. Fans can also watch online through ESPN360.com.

WBB in Cincy: Media Monday

By Weinman

On Monday, Vanderbilt returned to the Cintas Center for 30 minutes of media availability and 90 minutes of practice.

Prior to his VU-Blog debut this afternoon, Charlie Mattos sat down with senior guard Merideth Marsh for an interview that will be featured on his pre-game show before tomorrow's second round game against Xavier (Tuesday, 6 p.m. CT, WNSR 560-AM).

That video is above, with audio from the afternoon's press conference (which featured Marsh, juniors Hannah Tuomi and Jence Rhoads, and Coach Balcomb) also available, along with quotes from VU and Xavier. Our obligations are done for the day, with dinner and a movie to Commodores' only set plans for the rest of the evening.

Click Here to Read Press Conference Quotes

Listen to Press Conference

WBB Cincy: Charlie's Hotel Tour

(Guest blog: Charlie Mattos, the play-by-play voice of Vanderbilt women's basketball since 1993, is Weinman's roommate on the road and was gracious enough to write a blog today)

So often on the road we find ourselves at very nice hotels located in the “middle of nowhere”… why they build hotels in non-descript office parks is beyond me… so it was a thrill and pleasure to find that the NCAA placed us at the historic “Netherland Plaza” Hilton in downtown Cincinnati.

Completed in January of 1931 this is truly a palace of a hotel. Originally built for 7 million dollars, the hotel has received a pair of facelifts in the past two decades that ran around $43 million! Just about anywhere you turn you’re bound to find something interesting… molding, artwork, sconces, vintage signage, it’s all here… there’s a reason this place has achieved “Landmark” status on the National Historic Register.

The photos show the “Palm Court” restaurant, perhaps Cincinnati’s finest; a lobby chandelier, the “piano stage & fountain” just up from the lobby bar, and the lobby & seating area….

Photo Gallery

Elvis, President Kennedy & first lady Jackie, Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt and Bing Crosby are among the many high-profile guests who have stayed here. This place was truly groundbreaking in its early days. It was one of the first of the “city within a city” projects, complete with hotel, office space and an upscale shopping mall, plus – get this -- a totally automated parking garage!

WBB in Cincy: Saturday at Cintas & MND

By Weinman

The team arrived at the Cintas Center this morning just after 11 a.m. to fulfill a 30-minute media obligation. After a press conference and some extra interviews near the lockerroom, the Commodores had a one-hour shootaround on the main floor. ESPN2's full contigent (Producer Jonathan Labovich, Director Dan Reagan, Play-by-Play Bob Wischusen and analyst Stephanie White) was courtside to watch the proceedings, after which Coach Balcomb spent a few minutes catching up with the crew.

With only an hour allowed on court at the Cintas Center, Vanderbilt headed up to get some additional time in at Mount Notre Dame High School, where freshman Gabby Smith prepped. The team was greeted by Smith's former coach, Dante Harlan, and a host of "good luck Gabby" signs. The gym's walls were lined with championship banners, as well, including four state championship banners from 2006 through 2009, side-by-side, all with "Gabby Smith" emblazoned on them.

Here are a few photos from the day: Photo Gallery

Will have some more stuff from today's press conferences coming down the pipe soon. And make sure you're following along with our Twitter feed - when I'm away from the computer Twitter is the easiest way to shoot a quick update on what's going on.

WBB in Cincy: Montgomery Inn

By Weinman

The team arrived in Cincinnati around 8 p.m. on Friday night and headed straight to the Montgomery Inn for dinner. Montgomery Inn was one of Coach Balcomb's favorite restaurants when she was at Xavier, and I certainly can't argue with her taste after eating there.

Billed as "home of the world's greatest ribs," Montgomery Inn is owned by the family of VU women's soccer player Margaux Andrews. Margaux's grandparents, Matula and Ted Gregory, opened the institution in 1951 and the four current locations are still family owned and operated. Marguax's parents, Terry and Evan, dropped in to say hello and wish the Commodores luck this week. Evan told the team of his restaurant's history of success with visiting sports teams -- in his words, "We don't serve losers." The couple also posed for a photo with Strength and Conditioning Coach Tasha Weddle, who mentors both the basketball and soccer teams.

For dinner, I went with the ribs and shrimp combination. The ribs had a great rub on them with just the right amount of sauce and the fried shrimp were served with their own dipping sauce that was also outstanding. Most folks topped off their meals with a Graeters ice cream sundae, and I couldn't help but be overindulgent as well. Try the raspberry chocolate chip with hot fudge if you get a chance.

I took a handful of pictures at the restaurant, available here ( Photo Gallery). I have a couple meetings in the morning, then the team arrives at the arena for media availability at 11:20 a.m. followed by a one-hour shootaround. More tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Tash!

By Weinman

The women's basketball team has made an annual habit of celebrating Strength & Conditioning Coach Tasha Weddle's July 5th birthday during March Madness. This year's surprise cake and candle came at the Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati.

The team also had a cake delivered to Lucy, one of the student managers, whose actually birthday is tomorrow. More on the restaurant soon....

Photos: Memorial Send-off for WBB

By Weinman

Faculty, staff, students and fans gathered Friday afternoon outside Memorial Gym to see the women's basketball team off on its trip to Cincinnati. Originally scheduled to leave at 2, the team's departure was delayed by about 45 minutes. The dedicated group pictured above arrived before 1:30 and almost everyone was able to stick around -- a big THANK YOU from everyone involved with the team for that kind of support.

I took a handful of pictures of our departure: Photo Gallery

NCAA Tourney Notes: WBB Edition

By Weinman - Following in the footsteps of Boggs and Barca, I wanted to get the women's postseason guide up on the blog for all the world to see. It's in three parts: game notes, stats and news clippings. The .pdf files are below.

NCAA Tournament Notes

2009-10 News Clippings

2009-10 Statistics

WBB Presents: A Cincinnati Top 10

By Weinman

As the women's basketball team prepares for its first round NCAA Tournament game against DePaul on Sunday, Cincinnati natives Ashlee Bridge and Gabby Smith took time out to prepare a list of the 10 best things about their hometown.

Ashlee and Gabby were eager to get the word out about a city they love, so we sat down yesterday inside Memorial to film a video Top 10. Below the video, I'll post their Top 10 list along with links to all the places that make Cincinnati a great place.



Top 10: Best Things About Cincinnati
10. Sawyer Point
9. Cincinnati Museum Center
8. Newport Aquarium / Cincinnati Zoo
7. Fountain Square
6. Riverbend Music Center
5. Sports teams: Reds (MLB) and Bengals (NFL)
4. Food: Skyline Chili, Graeters, Grippos, Montgomery Inn
3. School of Creative and Performing Arts
2. Amusement Parks: King's Island, Great Wolf Lodge
1. Ashlee and Gabby

Women’s Basketball Send-Off on Friday

Commodore fans, you are invited to join us at 1:45 p.m. CT on Friday to help send off the Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball team as they leave for the NCAA Tournament.

The team will be departing from the Players Entrance at the North West corner of Memorial Gym (next to Parmer Field House). Come wish Coach Balcomb and the rest of the Commodores good luck as they head into post-season play.

For complete coverage of the NCAA Tournament, click here.

TV Coverage for WBB on ESPN networks

By Weinman - All 63 games of the Women's NCAA Tournament will be televised by the ESPN family of networks again this year. Vanderbilt's first round matchup with DePaul (Sunday, 11:11 a.m. CT) is set to be shown by ESPN2.

The networks will utilize "whip-around" coverage for the first two rounds of the tournament since up to four games are being played in the same time slot. This should not be an issue in the Nashville market, as games of local interest are slated to be shown in their entirety (with "constant updates" from other games instead of switching). ESPN360.com will have every game of the tournament, as will ESPN Full Court ($79). Details in the .pdf file below....

All in all, the verbiage of it is a bit cumbersome, but I thought I'd post the information from ESPN for you to see. There should be coverage maps available on ESPN.com later this week.

ESPN Coverage Guide

NCAA WBB Ticket Information

We want you in Cincinnati!

March Madness will lead the Vanderbilt women's basketball team to The Queen City as the Commodores take on DePaul in NCAA first round action on Sunday, March 21, at 11:11 a.m. CT.

All tickets will be sold through the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, so please order tickets by CLICKING HERE or by calling directly at 513-745-3411.

And remember... It's only a four and a half hour drive from Nashville. Come out and support the Commodores!

WBB Video: 'Dores react to NCAA seeding

The Vanderbilt women's basketball team has earned a No. 6 seed in the 2010 NCAA Tournament and will face DePaul on Sunday, March 21, inside the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Watch the video below to find out what head coach Melanie Balcomb and senior guard Lauren Lueders had to say about the Commodores' postseason destination.

To read the complete release, click here.

Women's Basketball Selection Show tonight

by Barca Blog

Vanderbilt's women's basketball team will find out its NCAA Tournament destination tonight when the brackets are unveiled live on ESPN's Selection Show starting at 6 p.m. CT.

One thing we do know.. the Commodores won't be going to Albuquerque for the third consecutive year since the city isn't hosting any of the rounds. 

Charlie Creme, ESPN's bracketologist, is predicting that the 'Dores will placed as a No. 6 seed in Norman, Okla., with a first-round matchup against C-USA champion Tulane. Check out his complete bracket.

If you're stuck at work tonight, you can also watch the Selection Show live online on ESPN360.com.