First, the IPFW women's basketball team practiced, and then at 11:30 a.m., the men took the Gates Center floor Tuesday.

It was a contrast to watch both teams work.

The men did some light shooting, mostly. Free throws, pairing off one-by-one at the various baskets.

The women, on the other hand, worked hard in half court drills.

I've been to several women's practices, and this one might have been the most severe in terms of the assistant coaches yelling at the players.

For the most part, head coach Chris Paul kept silent. But he admitted later that the practice was an exercise in mental toughness; that it's the toughness the team will need in the tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D. this weekend.

The women will face Western Illinois in the first round, and the men's team will play Oakland, both Sunday.