SAN JOSE, Calif - Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer saw a rematch with Arizona coming months ago.
"There will be a rubber match. We'll meet again," said VanDerveer, after Arizona's 88-83 win over Stanford Feb. 5 in McKale Center.
With a season rubber match looming in the Pacific 10 Conference Tournament tonight at 8:30 MST in San Jose, Calif., the Cardinal coach echoed her previous statement.
"I felt that we would play Arizona again," said VanDerveer after Stanford's win over UCLA last night. "I really feel that through the season, we have demonstrated that we're the top two teams (in the conference), and it's great that we're playing for the championship.
"Arizona's playing very well, but we'll be ready."
It was the Cardinal's home-away-from-home court advantage that propelled them from an 11-point second-half deficit to a 70-66 win over the Bruins, said UCLA head coach Kathy Olivier. The Stanford campus is roughly 20 miles from San Jose.
"I thought when we were up by 11 and Stanford made their run, the crowd really did a good job getting them momentum," Olivier said.
About three-quarters of the 3,831 fans in attendance last night were decked out in Cardinal red. The situation should be similar tonight.
"If you have the home court and fans on your side, I think you're going to have a lot of momentum and more energy than the other team," said UCLA sophomore guard Nikki Blue after the Stanford win.
The Cardinal (23-6, 14-4) beat the Wildcats 59-49 in last year's Pac-10 Tournament final. This season, Arizona and Stanford shared the regular-season conference title, with each team winning on its home floor.
"We were both regular-season champions. That was (the Wildcats') first championship, and I think they want to come in and win the tournament. So we've got to come in ready and play hard," said Cardinal freshman forward Kristen Newlin.
After giving up 11 3s to Stanford and being out-rebounded 40-29 last night, Bruin freshman forward Noelle Quinn offered some advice for the Wildcats.
"I'd tell them to stay aggressive, make sure you rebound and make sure you get a handle on their shooters," she said.
"I think Arizona matches up really well with Stanford. I think they can play with them."
Asked if she was looking forward to a rematch with Stanford for the tourney title, UA sophomore center Shawntinice Polk smiled.
"Yes. Definitely," she said.
Junior guard Dee-Dee Wheeler had a simple explanation for why this year's outcome may not mirror that of 2003.
"We want it more this year," she said.