March 30, 2012

Destination: Denver Playlist on The Cardinal Channel

DENVER, Colo. - Stanford Women's Basketball closed out its second day in Denver for the 2012 Final Four, meeting with ESPN during the day then being the toast of the town at night at the NCAA's Welcome Banquet.

Friday actually opened with business, as the Cardinal put in a two-hour practice at Colorado Christian University from 10-12 p.m. While most of the team went back to the hotel, the group of Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, Joslyn Tinkle, Toni Kokenis, Amber Orrange, Lindy La Rocque and head coach Tara VanDerveer detoured to the Pepsi Center for a battery of interviews.

Running the interview course, the players and VanDerveer met with NCAA.com writers, the ESPN television crew consisting of play-by-play man Dave O'Brien, analyst Doris Burke, sideline reporter Holly Rowe, sideline analyst Rebecca Lobo, and studio crew members Trey Wingo, Kara Lawson, Carolyn Peck and Brenda VanLengen.

After the interviews, it was time for the players to film tease shots with the ESPN crew. Players talked about what it meant to play in the Final Four, what they needed to do to succeed, and how much they were looking forward to facing off against No. 1 Baylor.

Returning to the hotel at 3:30, the players had an hour to get ready for the Welcome Banquet. The team savored its chance to ditch the usual attire of sweatpants and t-shirts in favor of formal dress. The team got sized for its Final Four rings, ate a hearty dinner, then walked the red carpet in front of fans, media and cameras into Buell Theater for the big show.

Hosted by ESPN's Sage Steele, the show featured all four participating teams being introduced, while VanDerveer and Nneka were interviewed by Steele. After answering a few questions followed by a highlight package featuring the Cardinal's run to the Final Four, the show ended with a final dance performance.

With the pomp and circumstance behind them, it was time to go back to work as the bus pulled up to the hotel and assistant coach Kate Paye announced a 9 p.m. film session with the words "Bring your scouts!"