Filip Bondy

Imagine, for one crazy moment, a women's Final Four without Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt, without either UConn or Tennessee, without the caressing TV sideline close-ups and the coach-as-genius sub-plots. It is a dream world of parity, of long-suffering programs, of untold stories and under-utilized cheerleaders.

This season, the NCAA tournament selection committee and this columnist both predict you will enjoy just such a Geno-Pat-free zone in Boston at the start of April.

The committee assigned neither the Huskies nor Lady Vols a No. 1 seed — even after both teams powered through to conference tourney championships. The bracket demotions may be self-fulfilling prophesies, especially where Tennessee is concerned.

Even without Alexis Hornbuckle, a swing guard who suffered a broken wrist last month, the Vols own a ton of athleticism and Summitt's frenetic willpower. But they may meet their end against fleet, No. 1 North Carolina on March 28 in the Cleveland regional final.

It says here that game will decide the eventual champion, and that North Carolina will emerge, only slightly scathed. When in doubt, go with the point guard in women's basketball. Ivory Latta is the ultimate weapon in this tournament.

A look at the four regions:

CLEVELAND
This is the toughest of the regions, the group of slow death. No. 3 Rutgers is coming off a shock defeat to West Virginia in the Big East tourney, but is quite capable of torturing any opponent with its scratching, clawing, switching defense. In a projected semifinal meeting, even Tennessee won't be able to claim the paint without enduring substantial bruises.

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Assuming the Vols survive Rutgers — and they should — Tennessee will do so at a price that may cost them that regional final against the Tar Heels. How do you segue from Vivian Stringer's sticky defense to a sprint relay race with North Carolina? It won't be easy.

Flashy Candace Parker (yes, we know, she dunks!) is only a freshman at Tennessee, after all, still not the most consistent of superstars. Shanna Zolman is a steady point guard, but not in the speed league of UNC's Latta.

ALBUQUERQUE
This is probably the weakest region, and could produce a number of upsets. Ohio State (28-2) got the No. 1 seed here, a bit of a gift, as champions of a Big Ten conference that doesn't always get that much respect. The Buckeyes have a couple of nice complementary inside-outside stars in Jessica Davenport and Brandie Hoskins, and will need both of them to stay out of foul trouble if they are to survive Arizona State and then either Maryland or defending champion Baylor in the regional final.

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Kim Mulkey lost a lot to graduation at No. 3 Baylor, but the Bears seem to thrive on her energy. Maryland at No. 2 is one of the more intriguing teams, arguably deserving of a No. 1 seed with a 28-4 mark in one of the toughest conferences, the ACC. The Terps can play any style, but they lack the big-game experience. Utah could give people headaches here, too.

The pick is Baylor, without much conviction.