The ISU women’s basketball team is staying home this year, but don’t feel sorry for the team – it’s just hosting the Big Dance.

The Cyclones’ improbable run in an injury-marred season earned them a No. 7 seed in the Greensboro, N.C., region, and the right to play in Des Moines at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Iowa State (20-12) plays No. 10 seed Georgia Tech (22-9) 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2, with the winner playing the winner of No. 2 Rutgers and No. 15 Robert Morris on Monday.

“You talk all the time about teams earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and I don’t think there is a team in the country that earned it more than this team did,” ISU coach Bill Fennelly said in a press release. “For this team to be in this position is truly something special for them and our staff. I’m really excited for everybody and hopefully we have a little left in us.”

The Cyclones earned it with their effort to overcome the loss of their only senior, Toccara Ross, and junior starting center Nicky Wieben to knee injuries. The Cyclones responded down the stretch, and made a run to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament that included a miracle overtime win over No. 1 seed Kansas State.

Tickets can be bought at Wells Fargo Arena, by phone at 866-553-2457, or online at www.dahlstickets.com

Check out a full view of the 2008 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket courtesy of www.cyclones.com.