Indiana University Athletics
Ready To Roll – Dreams and Desperation Amid IU’s NCAA Tourney Drive
3/21/2021 9:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Perspective finds Mackenzie Holmes in pandemic-forced San Antonio hotel room isolation, and loving every minute of it.
Check that. Love has its limits amid all the alone time, but blossoms through NCAA tourney opportunity which was, in so many ways, a lifetime in the making.
"Being here means everything to me," Indiana's All-America sophomore forward says. "I've dreamed of this since I was a little girl. The fact it's coming true is surreal. It will get more surreal when Monday comes."
A pause. Holmes would have made it last year with the Hoosiers, but the pandemic shut down the NCAA tourney, and basically everything else.
"It's like, Dang, I'm here. This is all I've ever wanted."
Dream finds the fourth-seeded Hoosiers (18-5) set to face 13th-seed VCU (16-10) on Monday in San Antonio in an opening round game rich in deep-run possibilities.
You'd better believe they know it.
"We've worked two seasons to be where we are," guard Ali Patberg says. "We're ready to go."
Ready comes with the All-America Holmes, an all-Big Ten backcourt of Patberg and Grace Berger, plenty of depth, and a determination to launch the program to new heights in this unprecedented season of success.
"Everyone is on a mission," Patberg says. "We're all after the same goal. You can feel it when you practice. We're here to win and enjoy every moment."
Coach Teri Moren pushes play through desperation, and if that sounds extreme, you miss the point.
"When play that way," Moren says, "your focus is heightened. You have that toughness. Everyone rises to the occasion when you play to that desperation."
The Hoosiers have bought in, just as they have throughout Moren's seven-year Hoosier run that includes 145 victories, three NCAA tourney appearances and a WNIT title.
"Every team here has played well during the season," Patberg says. "Everyone is playing at a high level.
"When we get to practice and watch film, it has to be at that extra level of focus. We don't want to be sent out. We have to leave it all out there or we won't be here as long as want."
Hoosier resolve is honed by the surprising Big Ten tourney opening-round loss to Michigan State a couple of weeks ago.
"That made us hungrier for the NCAA Tournament," Patberg says.
Adds Moren: "There are no do overs now. I love where our mindset has been the last couple of days. We are chomping on the bit to get to the floor."
VCU earned its bid by winning four straight games in the Atlantic 10 tourney. Along the way it upset Rhode Island and top-seed Dayton. It was its first ever Atlantic 10 tourney title.
The Rams have won seven of their last eight games. They also have won five straight overtime games.
"VCU is a very hot team," Moren said. "They are playing at a high level."
VCU is led by senior guards Taya Robinson (14.7 points, 6.0 rebounds) and Tera Reed (11.5, 5.0). Another senior, forward Sydnei Archer, averages 9.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. Freshman guard Sarah TeBiasu averages 10.9 points.
"They are led by two seniors," Moren says. "They have an inside presence and balanced scoring.
"We have to be who we are. We hang our hat on the defensive end. Our preparation has gone well. We have a sense of what we have to do. Our staff does a great job of preparation."
Adds Patberg: "We've watched a lot of film. VCU is a great team. They have good guard play. They are athletic.
"We have to execute the game plan, be solid on defense and execute on offense. Do what we do and the rest will take care of itself."
Pandemic restrictions have the Hoosiers basically in their rooms, practicing or getting tested for Covid-19. They did have some limited outside time under sunny, 70-degree conditions.
"It's basically been practice and film study," Moren says. "That's where our focus should be. This is not a vacation. It's very much a business trip."
Business doesn't mean misery. As Moren says, "We have some characters on this team," and the Hoosiers have found fun despite the restrictions.
"This group is so enjoyable and tight knit. We have a tremendous amount of fun together and it shows on the floor."
As for the national drama focused on the resource (specifically weight training facilities) disparity between the men's and women's tournaments, Moren wanted no part of it.
"It has not impacted us a bit. We've come a long way. We still have a long way to go. I won't complain because that would be a waste of time. I will talk about how grateful we are to be here. I don't want out kids thinking about that. The focus should be on VCU and our preparation in how to be successful against VCU."
Players Mentioned
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