NORMAN — When her team's first-round NCAA Tournament matchup flashed across the screen Monday, Oklahoma point guard Gabbi Ortiz smiled.
The No. 6-seeded Sooners open tournament play against 11th-seeded Purdue on Saturday in Lexington, Ky.
The matchup is an interesting one for Ortiz because she nearly chose Purdue as her college choice. The Racine, Wis., native visited Purdue's campus and considered it one of her top-five schools.
“It's ironic,” Ortiz said. “It's been awhile so it doesn't mean anything, but I do know coach Sharon Versyp very well, and I know their coaching staff.”
Ortiz and the Sooners left town for Lexington on Wednesday, but before leaving, the sophomore spoke with The Oklahoman about her experience with Purdue, her college choice and her team's mindset going into the tournament.