The last time the Lady Bulldogs made the regional final they faced the Purdue Boilermakers. Georgia was a #3 seed and Purdue a #2 in that 2004 meeting and 2007 finds them ranked the same. To add more fuel to the "deja fire", in that same 2004 season, Georgia lost to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament. Things that make you go hmmm... What I hope comes true is the end result of that last meeting between Georgia and Purdue, a big old fat "W".  Georgia won by only a basket 66-64.  Unfortunately in 2004, the Bulldogs lost to another SEC team (LSU) in the elite eight and haven't returned since.  But hey, there's always tomorrow, literally!!!

When the game kicks off on Sunday (at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN), it will mark the first meeting for these two teams since that 2004 NCAA Regional. It will also mark a reunion of sorts as four players between the two teams will meet again, this time as seniors. As a freshman, Janese Hardrick scored 17 points in the Georgia win over Purdue, the most by any Georgia player. Cori Chambers played thirteen minutes and scored 5 points. Purdue's then freshman, Katie Geralds scored 8 points while Erin Lawless provided an additional 12 points. There were three ties and four lead changes (during the 2004 NCAA Regionals) in the final 10 minutes and you can bet Purdue remembers it.

What's different this time around?  Plenty. For Purdue, Katie Geralds has become quite the "star", (All-Big Ten) averaging 18.5 ppg and recently scored 26 points against Georgia Tech in Round 2 of NCAA play. She also shoots 90% from the charity stripe, something Georgia needs to keep in mind. Erin Lawless is averaging 10.4 ppg and shoots 80.6% from the stripe. For Georgia, senior guard Janese Hardrick averages 8.8 ppg and shoots 83.2% from the foul line. Cori Chambers played spectacularly in the first half of the Iowa State game as she hit all SEVEN of her field goals, four of which were 3-pointers. She averages 12.9 ppg and 76.5% in free throws. When you toss in freshman guard, Ashley Houts, trio of guards is a powerful force both offensively and defensively. Tasha Humphrey was playing high school basketball when these two teams last met and she is definitely going to be another key in this match up. She scored 21 points against Iowa State which is five points above her season average.

What needs to happen for UGA to win?  They must both mentally and physically show up and play the ball they know they can. When running on all cylinders, this Georgia team is tough to beat. After a horrendous first round game, Georgia got their (insert expletive here) together and shot 61%, making eight treys in the first half of the Iowa State game in round two of the NCAA tournament.  As long as Cori Chambers continues her offensive assault and Tasha stays out of foul trouble, Georgia stands a good chance of winning this game. Toss in that great guard play from Hardrick and Houts and you've got a pretty good chance of taking that "W" and advancing to the Elite Eight!

Coach Quotes:

“The thing that impresses me most about Purdue is their basketball sense. They seem to have a good sense for the game and how they want to play together. Offensively, they have a lot of basketball savvy. With Gearls and Wisdom-Hylton, they have two outstanding players that the team more or less revolves around.” Andy Landers, Georgia Head Coach

"Georgia's a great team," Purdue coach Sharon Versyp said. "I think we've got a great match up. We just have to put a good game plan together."

NCAA Tournament:

(3) Georgia (27-6): 17th regional semifinal and fifth in a row for the Bulldogs.

(2) Purdue (30-5): 11th regional semifinal and fourth time in five years for the Boilermakers

Fun Georgia Player Facts*:

Entering the Purdue game:

Cori Chambers is...
• Will become UGA’s career record holder for games played with her first action against Purdue
• 26 points from No. 14 Lisa O’Connor among UGA’s career leaders

Janese Hardrick is...
• Will become No. 3 among UGA’s career leaders for games played with her first action vs. Purdue
• 16 points from No. 20 Tawana McDonald among UGA’s career leaders
• 7 FTs from No. 9 Wanda Holloway among UGA’s career leaders

Tasha Humphrey is...
• 4 FTs from No. 3 Janet Harris among UGA’s career leaders
• 5 FTAs from No. 7 Cynthia Collins among UGA’s career leaders
• 3 blocks from No. 9 La'Keshia Frett among UGA’s career leaders

Ashley Houts is...
• 2 steals from Sherill Baker’s UGA freshman record
• 5 assists from No. 4 Rachel Powell among UGA’s freshman leaders



*Georgia Lady Bulldogs Website