Hoopla, hype, quality basketball, acrobatics and even Santa Claus are part of the this weekend’s Seventh Annual NIU/Contel Fastbreak Fest at Chick Evans Field House.

The NIU women’s basketball team (1-0), ranked No. 30 by the Associated Press and No. 31 in the USA Today, will attempt to defend its Fastbreak Fest title on Saturday as they go up against the Ball State Cardinals in a 4 p.m. matchup. Prior to that contest, South Carolina, ranked No. 16 by the Associated Press and No. 17 in the USA Today, will take on Wright State in the opener of the doubleheader. That game will tip off at 2 p.m.

The winners of the two games will face off in the championship game Sunday at 4 p.m. The consolation game will precede at 2 p.m.

NIU Head Coach Jane Albright and the rest of the Huskies are looking forward to the tournament.

“One of our goals is to win our own tournament,” Albright said. “Last year’s win was the turning point in our program. A win this year could be the biggest win we’ve ever had.”

The win that Albright is referring to came last year in the championship of the Fastbreak Fest as the Huskies knocked off Top 20 North Carolina State, 78-72. That upset gained national recognition for the Huskies who reached as high as No. 22 in the AP weekly ranking on Feb.14, 1989.

In order for the NIU squad to repeat, they must first get past the Cardinals. Ball State has started off on the right foot this season with a 2-0 record. They beat Xavier University (82-70) and the University of Cincinnati (63-57). In that Xavier contest, all five Ball State starters, who are returning from the 1988-89 team, scored in double figures. They are led by senior guard Jenny Eckert who needs only three points this weekend to become the fourth women’s basketball player ever to score 1,000 points in Ball State history.

“They are a very well-balanced team,” Albright said. “They do a real nice job. They have a good guard in Jenny Eckert and a nice post player in Gena Rusch. But, I think we match up real well with them.”

The opening game features two 0-1 teams, but records can be deceiving. South Carolina, returning four starters from their 1988-89, opened their season against 1989 NCAA runner-up and No. 7 Auburn but came up 16 points short as the Tigers ousted USC 78-61. The only non-returning starter for USC, 5-10 junior forward Karen Middleton, led the Lady Gamecocks with 18 points in that contest. Wright State fell to Canisius, 75-57 despite a 17-point effort from their senior starting guard, Missy Goedde. USC finished the 1988-89 season with the same 23-7 record that the Huskies posted, while Wright State ended their 1988-89 campaign at 10-18.

On paper, the Lady Gamecocks shouldn’t have any problems with Wright State and the Huskies are hoping to upend the Cardinals to set up the championship. NIU isn’t looking ahead, but a victory over USC will allow the Huskies to gain some Top 20 recognition.

“We’re not looking ahead at all,” Albright said. “We do match up exceptionally well with them (USC). They are similar to us at every position.”

History is on NIU’s side for making it to the championship. Of the six previous tournaments, the Huskies have advanced to the championship five times. The only year that they didn’t make it was in 1985 and they lost both games that season. But they have only come out victors once and that was last year. Albright is optimistic about this year though.

“(A victory) this year will be bigger than last year,” Albright said. “It’s almost expected and we want it.”

Basketball will not be the only thing featured at this event. Prior to Saturday’s opener, Santa Claus and members of the NIU team will be on hand at noon as McDonald’s and Contel sponsor, “Lunch with Santa.” To add a little more excitement to the championship game, the Jesse White Tumblers, sponsored by Village Commons Bookstore, combine acrobatics and tumbling with aerial spectacles to thrill the spectators during the halftime show.

NIU is going into the tournament healthy despite some minor injuries that ocurred during the win over the Golden Gophers of Minnesota on Tuesday night. Lisa Foss, who led the NIU attack with 32 points, suffered a sprained little finger on her non-shooting hand and Dee Dee Jeske came down on her ankle, but both are apparently in good shape after practicing on Thursday.

“Everybody is fine,” Albright said after the practice. “Today was one of the best practices that we’ve ever had. I think we are where we want to be—We have confidence and focus. I’m excited about the whole tournament, it gives the community a chance to see the best in the nation.”