By JIM STEELE
pressbox1.com

One might think that Bethel College's initial foray into the NAIA Division 1 national basketball tournament would be one full of trepidation, full of angst.

One would most likely be wrong.

The Lady Wildcats face a 28-5 Oklahoma City team 8:30 Wednesday morning that has won five NAIA national titles. Normally, this might spook an opponent. Not Bethel.

Bethel's Lady Wildcats, a deceptive 19-12, had a goal this year of finishing in the top four of the TranSouth Conference. There could be a school of thought that finishing, say, fourth in the league isn't indicative of high aspiration. But those with that kind of mindset might not be familiar with the TranSouth.

Bethel playing in the 6,000-seat Oman Arena might make the Lady Wildcats skittish. But it's not like it's in Atlanta, Chicago or Los Angeles. It's not Madison Square Garden. Oman Arena is right down the road in Jackson. High schools play there.

Yeah, Bethel has been to the D-2 dance before, but this is stepping up. Shouldn't the Lady Wildcats be on edge? Probably a little, after all this is a mighty big stage. But consider this: Bethel has played two teams on the schedule that have won national titles; the 19-12 mark is deceptive. Bethel could have won eight of those 11 games and had Union on the ropes in the second round of the TranSouth conference tournament.

Oh yes, Union and the TranSouth. Union, two-time national champs, has spent much of the season ranked No. 1. Those same Lady Bulldogs managed to beat BC by just 10 points at the Baker Fieldhouse on Jan. 29 and were in a scuffle in their last battle. BC and Union were tied at 31 at halftime before Bethel ran out of gas. The Lady Wildcats faced Lambuth, Freed-Hardeman, Trevecca and Martin Methodist, all nationally ranked. Lambuth, Freed and Trevecca were regular residents of the Top 5 this season. All but Martin Methodist are in the tourney. Consider that 2008 TranSouth members Union, Lambuth and Freed each were in the semifinals. Given that, one could deduce that if you finish top four in the TranSouth means you are a championship-caliber team. To be in the top four in the league means you are top four in the country.

Having played in front of packed gyms, both at home and on the road, Bethel will be right at home at nearby Oman Arena, what promises to be the Lady Wildcats' home away from home for a week. Oklahoma City may be a good team and worthy of its seeding and placement in the tourney, but Bethel won't see anything any better than it has all year in the cannibalistic TranSouth.

Yeah, there will be this fear of the unknown and there will be some butteflies when they hit the floor. That's normal. But Bethel should take comfort that it has had a national-tournament game on a weekly basis. And, to be frank and honest, that should go for all TranSouth teams. To negotiate the minefield that is the conference says something.

Bethel has faced All-Americans like Josephine Owino. It won't see another player that good at anytime during the week. The Lady Cats don't have to travel far and so it will be almost like playing at home. Bethel has faced national-title talent all season long.

If Bethel focuses on the game plan, recognizes that it won't see anything better than it's seen all year, doesn't dwell on miscues and doesn't panic over missed shots, it will be fine. The Lady Wildcats can always play defense. They anticipate well and run the floor well. Defense can turn into offense...quickly. Bethel does a lot of things well, has a versatile team and plays defense. It can run out a fast lineup and a big lineup, or a permutation. Lady Cat coach Chris Nelson has some tools in the shed and has his team believing.

If the Lady Wildcats just go out and play and understand that this is their briar patch (if anyone can remember "Song of the South"), they'll be fine. Playing nationally-ranked teams is right in their wheelhouse.