Stanford beat writer Michelle Smith writes about the abrupt end to the college basketball experience. She also shares an amusing story from former Cardinal Vanessa Nygaard and her encounter with Pete Rose in 1997.

The team that ended Stanford's season is living out a vision of shooting guard Shante Williams. "I told Coach Sue after practice the previous day, 'I think we've got to go buy a couple of bottles of cider because we're going to win this thing and throw them up in the air,'" Williams said.

One of the biggest reasons Williams' vision came true was the play of "Big Country," Nikki Anthony. “Rebounding, period, is a key in the NCAA tournament. When the nerves are flying, and when shots aren’t falling, you’ve got to get those second-chance opportunities.”