Coyote women’s basketball fans are coming out of the woodwork. With forty minutes until game time, the stands are just as full as they were during the semifinals – and just as loud.

There is one section of yellow behind the Northern Kentucky bench and the rest of arena is red.

The student section is already rowdy. I’ve heard SGA sponsored five buses to come down to the game and that looks about right.

There’s a big security guard that has been given the task of keeping the USD students under control. He worked the last game too and the Coyote fans have befriended him as one of their own, giving him hugs and high fives. Last game the students broke one of the benches in the stands so there had to be some ground rules layed out today.

The Coyote starters just came down to shoot around on the side where the USD students are standing and the crowd went nuts. The players look all business, but they couldn’t help but crack smiles.

If you can, watch the game on ESPN2. And don’t adjust your television screens – there really is that much red.

For the Coyotes jumping to D-I and coach Lavin retiring after this season, what a way to go out.

– Matt Dahlseid