Brian Boyer was anxious for practice Tuesday afternoon.
The Arkansas State women's basketball coach was curious to see how his Red Wolves would handle getting about as close to earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament as possible without actually receiving one.
Instead, ASU (23-10) settled for an automatic bid to the WNIT and will host Western Michigan (20-12) at 7:05 tonight at the Convocation Center.
"I'll know more in about an hour when we got on the practice floor," Boyer said. "But I think the fact that we get a home game tomorrow will help everybody get over it quicker so we can move forward."
ASU is playing in the WNIT for the second consecutive season, but Boyer said the situations are much different. Last year ASU suffered a heartbreaking loss to Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt Tournament final, one in which it led late before losing 61-60.
The Red Wolves never considered themselves a candidate for an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament last year and were sent to play at Texas-El Paso, where they lost 74-64
This year ASU lost to UALR in the Sun Belt final but still watched as a team the selection of the NCAA Tournament field hoping for an at-large bid.
It never came, and afterward the NCAA acknowledged that ASU was one of the first four teams left out of the tournament. The Red Wolves' No. 45 Ratings Percentage Index score is the highest of any team not selected for the NCAA Tournament, and five teams with lower RPIs received at-large bids.
"Obviously, it was hard last night," Boyer said. "But I also think that our players and team realizes that it's a credit to the season we had, and where we're at, to be that close."
Boyer said he hasn't spent much time since Monday night breaking down the merits of the teams that were chosen over ASU for the NCAA Tournament field. He wouldn't have much time to do so, anyway.
The Red Wolves learned of their opponent late Monday night, practiced Tuesday and will play today because of an event that had the Convocation Center occupied Thursday and Friday.
Boyer said he believes that is the best scenario for a team coming off a tough loss.
"At this time of year, there's not a lot you can do prepare anyway," he said. "So let's quickly get back on the court and play."
Western Michigan finished third in the Mid-American Conference West Division and lost to Buffalo in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
Forward Miracle Woods leads the Broncos with averages of 14.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while four other players average at least 7.1 points.
"They try to make you score over them," Boyer said. "They really challenge you to spread them out and hit shots over them. They seem to always be in good position and good rebounding position."
If ASU wins it will play with winner of Thursday night's game between Middle Tennessee or Ball State in the second round.
Sports on 03/18/2015