The players that come to UConn and play for Geno Auriemma will, of course, be extremely talented. That is a gross understatement. But they are also strong individuals off the court with endearing personalities. They seem to fit right in every year, enhancing the family atmosphere that recruits rave about when they make their unofficial and official visits.
And 6-foot-5 center Stefanie Dolson certainly fits that mold. Her personality is as happy-go-lucky as it comes and she is expected make an impact in the post when she joins the Huskies next season.
Dolson said that she didn’t know quite what to expect before spending a couple of days on campus last weekend with future teammates Lauren Engeln, Michala Johnson, Samarie Walker and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis. Hey, one never knows … Bria Hartley and Chiney Ogwumike just might end up being her teammates as well.
The visit did nothing but reinforce Dolson’s decision to commit early to playing at UConn, and she felt right at home in Storrs. Even if it was pretty low-key.
“It was really fun,’’ Dolson said. “It was nice to get to know the team in a different way. We all hung out outside of the court. So it was cool to chill with them. We actually didn’t do a lot. We actually just sat around the apartments. We played Rock Band and Mario Cart. It’s good to know I’m going to be going there with people that I will know and have already gotten to hangout with and I’m not going there blindsided and not knowing anyone.’’
The Huskies certainly have taken to Dolson too. How do you know? She said they were taking light-hearted jabs at her because of the outfit she had on during First Night festivities Friday night. It consisted of a pick t-shirt, blue UConn shorts and Ugg boots.
Dolson took it in stride, laughing about it on the phone Sunday night. She said that people better watch out because she’s going to start a trend on campus when gets to town.
“That was sick,’’ Dolson said of her attire. “They make fun of me. They all joke around. I say it’s going to catch on. You’re going to see people walking around at UConn all the time with a pair of shorts and Uggs on. It’s going to be the new style.’’
The Huskies will be honored for winning the 2009 national champion during halftime of the UConn football game against Rutgers Oct. 31. Kickoff is noon.
Maya Moore and Tina Charfles will serve as team captains this season.
Lorin Dixon will be given the first shot at winning the starting point guard job. It appears that Caroline Doty will begin the season coming off the bench. Dixon, Tiffany Hayes, Kalana Greene, Moore and Charles were the staters on the f loor today.
A recruiting source said that Chiney Ogwumike will make an official visit to Stanford this weekend. She will choose between UConn and the Cardinal.
Big East assistant commissioner for women’s basketball officiating Barb Jacobs met with the team prior to practice today to go over certain rules of the game. Here are a couple of the more interesting things of her 30-minute meeting.
A team could be hit with an administrative technical foul if the starting lineup is not written in the official scorebook by the 10-minute mark or for changing the starting lineup once it has been written in the book. The free throws will be shot prior to the jump ball to start the game. A change to the lineup would be permitted if a player is injured during warm-ups, if a player becomes ill or if there is blood on the uniform.
UConn customary high-fives down the bench after a key shot or 3-pointer will have to be quicker this season because players and assistant coaches are not permitted to stand for any length of time on the sideline.
As far as the hand-check rule, a defender is permitted to quickly touch the ballhandler with one hand once. A second touch will result in a foul.
Rich
