VanDerveer also challenged other coaches and fans to join in.
South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, never one to back down from a challenge, is donating money for every rebound made to inner city youth programs.
In the first day of the tournament, plus the First Four games, the total of 3-pointers made was 257.
It wasn’t the 3s or the rebounds that made all the noise during the Cardinal’s first win of the tournament, 78-37 over Montana State.
Instead, it was a big-time dunk from junior forward Fran Belibi.
“My teammates have been getting on me because I haven’t dunked this year,” Belibi said. “I saw the opportunity and decided I might as well try. We have a full house, here in Maples (Pavilion). It was my first time playing a Tournament game and my first time dunking here in Maples, so I figured I might as well try it out.
It’s been nine years since a player — Brittney Griner — dunked in an NCAA Tournament game. Candace Parker is the only other player to dunk during the tournament — exactly 16 years ago to the day on Saturday.
More on Ukraine
Barnes played basketball in Kyiv in 2000. When she was there, the city had just opened up to Americans. She saw things that many people have never seen. Her memories of her time in the city made a lasting impression.