Lady Dawgs To Dance Too

BASKETBALL

The Georgia Lady Dawgs were awarded a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament on Monday and will face 11th-seeded Middle Tennessee State on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Auburn, Alabama.

Georgia will face the Blue Raiders in the second game of the evening session at the Auburn Arena, with third-seeded Florida State facing 13th-seeded Samford in the opening contest at 5 p.m. ET.

The Lady Dawgs will be competing their 28th NCAA Tournament – the second most of any team in the nation – and will be making their 17th straight appearance in "March Madness."

"It doesn't get old," head coach Andy Landers said. "I was thinking about it this morning. We've been very fortunate through the years to have the players and teams that have allowed us to play in the NCAAs so many times. I think it's something that you appreciate more and more. I know I do. It's much more competitive and much more difficult to make the field now. It may be more difficult than it was when only 32 teams got in because there are so many more good players and good teams out there now."

Georgia will make the less than three-hour trek to Auburn.

"Hopefully more of our fans will be able to make it, and I know it will be easier for our families to come see us play," senior Porsha Phillips said. "That's very important to all of us."

The Lady Dawgs own an 11-1 lead in their all-time series with Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders earned an at-large bid out of the Sun Belt Conference.

"They're legit. There isn't any question about that," Landers said. "I know they've pretty much dominated their conference the last three or four years. They have been a truly dominant team in their league. Offensively, there always good."

Georgia will be a No. 6 seed for only the second time. In 2005 in Dallas, the Lady Dawgs defeated Rice, 75-49, and upset third-seeded and No. 13-ranked Texas, 70-68, to advance to Regional competition. Georgia then lost to No. 7 Duke in the "Sweet 16" in Chattanooga.

Sunday's winners will meet on Tuesday night for the right to advance to the Dallas Regional.