Spring Break
Perfection, the fourth time
Women begin quest for sixth national title against Vermont
Brittany Perotti
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: March Madness
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Doing that once is tough enough. Doing it four times heading into the NCAA Tournament? That's what the UConn women's basketball program has accomplished.
Two out of the three previous seasons ended in a national championship. The other ended with an Elite Eight loss to Tennessee in 1996-97 in Iowa after an injury to Nykesha Sales.
This year, the No. 1 women's basketball team has cruised through its first 33 games of the season. It won by a margin of 31.5 points against its opponents. It captured Big East regular season and tournament titles.
It boasts three all-Big East team players: Renee Montgomery, Tina Charles and Maya Moore - who was named the Big East Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Add into the mix Tiffany Hayes, an Big East All-Freshman selection.
And it is led by co-Big East Coach of the Year, head coach Geno Auriemma.
The comparison between this team and those deemed great in years past started early in the season and now has fans and media alike more fervent than ever.
"One of the dangers of coming to Connecticut is that you're going to constantly be compared to other players that have played here before you," Auriemma said prior to the Big East tournament, alluding to the All-Americans that once stepped foot on Alumni Court. "And some people are afraid of that."
Those that are not become part of the Huskies.
In fact, both Renee Montgomery and Kalana Greene said that they were not tired of the comparisons to those of teams past.
"It comes with the territory," Greene said. "I'm honored because you look at those past teams, being compared to some of the greatest players not just in UConn history, but the history of women's basketball. "
"So I mean, it's flattering, but at the same time we can't worry about being 39-0 before it comes here. You've got to worry about being 34-0 this weekend and taking care of business in the first round."
Montgomery echoed the sentiments.
"I consider [it] an honor to be even thought of in the same breath as those teams, I mean they had great players that, I don't know, just have done a lot for this program," she said. "It's just an honor to even be considered."
Like other successful teams, Auriemma said this squad has "great chemistry for the most part on the floor," "great leadership" and a "couple of the best players at their position in the country."
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