Mary Jo writes in with some behind-the-scenes notes from Indy:

Every year the Women's Final Four has something new. Sometimes it's the game and sometimes it's the technology. This year we have both.

I have been the escort for both Michigan State and Baylor, two teams that are newcomers to the Final Four. I can tell you that the level of celebration both on the court and at the locker room was through the roof. When I walked Kim Mulkey-Robertson back to her locker she kept commenting "we are playing in the national championship game." Her husband gave her a huge embrace and said "You did it." Same with Joanne McCallie. Her husband, a professor, and her fifth-grade daughter were in the back areas with her. Her daughter told me she thought her mom's team was a "goner." Those moments are wondeful for the winners but devastating for the losers.

On the technical side ESPN announced that it is using new equipment this year and more importantly is dedicating Monday nights next year on ESPN2 to a women's game.

The tease or opening you saw on Sunday and one you will see Tuesday all were taped Friday. All four coaches were asked to simulate speeches they might make to their team in their locker rooms. It was difficult for all of them to act through the script and the ESPN director made them repeat their lines several times.

The NCAA issued over 700 credentials but that total includes ESPN and the four participating teams.

Senator Birch Bayh was the keynote speaker at a banquet Friday night attended by all four teams. He was instrumental in getting Title IX passed. He gave credit to his father who said little girls should have an equal chance and to his wife who was rejected in her college application to Virginia (no women allowed) and urged him to fight for equal rights for women. It was a moving story.