One thing is clear from attending Media Day today is that I could never ride the train into the City everyday to go to work. No thanks. Morning rush hour is brutal for us folks that are blessed not to have to fight it. For those people that do, I commend you.
In taking to various coaches around the conference one thing is crystal clear … UConn is very, very good. There was talk of the Huskies finishing undefeated. And not just in the Big East, but over the entire season. Coaches marveled at the Huskies’ depth, their experience and their wealth of talent.
Here’s Villanova’s Harry Perretta: “I think this year Connecticut is superior. I think last year Connecticut was the best team. Now I say they’re the superior team. It’s a little different.’’
And here’s Louisville coach Jeff Walz after he was asked what scares him about UConn: “Their first eight players. They’ve got guard play. They’ve got Maya Moore back at the wing. They’ve got Tina Charles in there. Kaili McLaren. They’ve just got a list of players and then you start adding their freshmen in there … Their depth is really scary. They’re just a well-rounded team. They’ve got every facet covered.’’
The Huskies were also touted as “America’s team’’ by Rutgers senior center Kia Vaughn. That was a new a one. And she made sure to point out that despite losing Matee Ajavon and Essence Carson to the WNBA that the Scarlet Knights should not be underestimated. Their freshman class, anchored by Big East preseason Freshman of the Year April Sykes, could be something special.
“With UConn, they’re America’s team and we respect that,’’ Vaughn said. “We (take a back seat). But, with us, we have to come out every night and just play. I don’t feel that we’ve slipped anywhere. Just like any other team coming in with freshmen or the first few months of basketball you have creases that you need to iron out and you have to actually play through it. And I believe that we’re going to play through it and mentally we’re going to be tough and we’re always going to give teams a fight and a good game.’’
Here’s the quip of the day – from Geno of, course. Pittsburgh coach Agnus Berenato recently baked her team an apple pie and a sweet potato pie and brought them into the locker room and left them there. Geno was asked when was the last time he baked his players a pie. He shook his head and said, “Not me, never.’’ And just before he headed upstairs for TV interviews he said, “Humble Pie.’’
Rich
