Women's March Madness: Texas A&M vs. Arkansas, Once and Future Rivals

“Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!  Step right up!”

A women’s college basketball coach is two parts teacher and one part carnival barker.

Take Texas A&M’s Gary Blair and his protege and opponent for the evening, Tom Collen of the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks

As their teams prepare to face off in the second round of this year’s national championship tournament, the two good old boys have been conducting their own little “Aw, shucks” competition.

The rivalry between the two schools, meeting for the first time since 1991, offers something for everyone.

The forward thinking can anticipate renewal with A&M’s impending move to the Southeastern Conference, while those inclined to nostalgia can reflect on the fabled days of the Southwest Conference.

And for the hoop fan in us all, we get Coach Blair’s revamped defending NCAA champs attempting to fend off the challenge of an extremely athletic squad from arguably this season’s best and most competitive league.

A leg injury to reliable senior Tyra White hindered the Lady Aggies opportunity to truly compete with Baylor in their Big XII Tournament swansong, but the team’s strong showing in a 69-62 loss to the Lady Bears in the regular season wrap-up at Reed Arena give Aggie Nation cause for optimism.

Of course, Blair’s old buddy’s bunch and their highly ranked defense (not to mention in all likelihood Maryland, Notre Dame and UConn) stand in the way of one last friendly encounter with Trace Adkins’s latest dance partner.

The Lady Hogs have not participated in the NCAA’s since 2003, but their tournament jitters evaporated after falling behind Dayton by 14 early in their opener Saturday as they eased their way to a 72-55 victory.

The senior leadership of backcourt mates C’ierra Ricketts and Lyndsay Hatcher and forward Ashley Daniels lead a balanced Arkansas attack.

On the A&M side, the confident and aggressive play of senior wing Adaora Elonu and the now recuperated White have been the lifeblood of the Lady Aggies recently.

But that anticipated Elite Eight match-up with Alyssa Thomas and Maryland will require steady play from posts junior Kelsey Bone and sophomore Karla Gilbert and freshman sharpshooter Alexia Standish.

Last season, Gary Blair (the teacher) outfoxed Kim Mulkey (the student).

For that to happen tonight, and for Texas A&M to gain only its third ever victory over Arkansas in 23 tries, the old carnival barker needs Danielle Adams to emerge from some smoke and mirrors.

“Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!  Step right up!”