The sarcasm and wit of Geno Auriemma was no where to be found Tuesday at Gampel Pavilion. Assistant coach Jamelle Elliott represented the coaching staff as the Huskies opened the first day of preseason workouts with an assortment of full court sprints and playing catch with a medicine ball while sitting down and laying on their back.
UConn associate head coach for strength and conditioning Chris West barked orders for more than a hour as the players ran from corner to corner, slid across the baseline and then ran from corner to corner again. The most diffcult drill appeared to be a three0man fullcourt weave while passing the medicine ball five times.
Brittany Hunter rode a stationary bike on the side as the Huskies were running. It seems as if she will find herself in the same situation this season as the previous two. Some days she will feel good and others she will not. It’s that simple.
Hunter did take part in the spirited halfcourt pickup games without limitation or the use of a brace. Tina Charles did not wear a brace on her surgically repaired right shoulder.
The best player on the floor was freshman sensation Maya Moore. She is worth every bit of the hype that accompanies her to UConn. She scored on 3-pointer, off the dribble and on a reverse put back at various points. And during one stoppage in play, Moore jumped and touched the rim several trimes.
She is going to be fun to watch over the next four years. And she has the engaging personality to match her tremendous skills.
The Huskies will work out twice a week until practice officially starts next month. The first exhibition game is in less than two months (Nov. 2 vs. the U.S. Senior National team) and the season opener is Nov. 11 against Stony Brook. This team has the makings to assemble another special season.
