Spring Break
UConn joins elite group with win
Kevin Meacham
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Sports
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - UConn joined a very select group with their 30th win of the season, 69-59 over Rutgers Monday night. They became just the 13th Division I women's basketball team - and the fifth in UConn history - to finish the regular season undefeated since the 1985-86 season.
Only five of those teams - Texas in 1986, Tennessee in 1998 and UConn in 1995, 2002 and 2003 - ended up winning national championships. Only one of coach Geno Auriemma's teams, the 1997 team which lost to Tennessee in the Elite Eight, has failed to win a national title after finishing the regular season unbeaten.
"This is Connecticut, and for better or worse, I've created a scenario where the only story left to write is if we don't win [a national title]," said Auriemma.
Of course, while Auriemma has been here before, this UConn team has not.
"It means a lot [to be 30-0]," said senior guard Renee Montgomery. "I've never been able to do it the whole time I've been here. It's something we set out to do."
"It's progress. It's something we've never done before," said sophomore forward Maya Moore. "It's given us some confidence, and it reminds us how special this season is."
According to Auriemma, UConn accomplished one of its three goals this season after winning the Big East regular season title Saturday.
"We proved without a shadow of a doubt that we're the best team in the league," Auriemma said. "And now for three days someone else gets the chance to say, 'we're the tournament champion.' … During [the NCAA Tournament] is when the history of this team will be written."
Stars search for answers
The anticipated showdown between Maya Moore and Epiphanny Prince, the two teams' leading scorers, never quite materialized.
Moore scored 12 points, seven below her season average, and only four in the first half. Against Rutgers' zone defense, she only reached double-digits in the final minute of the game with four free throws.
Only five of those teams - Texas in 1986, Tennessee in 1998 and UConn in 1995, 2002 and 2003 - ended up winning national championships. Only one of coach Geno Auriemma's teams, the 1997 team which lost to Tennessee in the Elite Eight, has failed to win a national title after finishing the regular season unbeaten.
"This is Connecticut, and for better or worse, I've created a scenario where the only story left to write is if we don't win [a national title]," said Auriemma.
Of course, while Auriemma has been here before, this UConn team has not.
"It means a lot [to be 30-0]," said senior guard Renee Montgomery. "I've never been able to do it the whole time I've been here. It's something we set out to do."
"It's progress. It's something we've never done before," said sophomore forward Maya Moore. "It's given us some confidence, and it reminds us how special this season is."
According to Auriemma, UConn accomplished one of its three goals this season after winning the Big East regular season title Saturday.
"We proved without a shadow of a doubt that we're the best team in the league," Auriemma said. "And now for three days someone else gets the chance to say, 'we're the tournament champion.' … During [the NCAA Tournament] is when the history of this team will be written."
Stars search for answers
The anticipated showdown between Maya Moore and Epiphanny Prince, the two teams' leading scorers, never quite materialized.
Moore scored 12 points, seven below her season average, and only four in the first half. Against Rutgers' zone defense, she only reached double-digits in the final minute of the game with four free throws.
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