UConn women's basketball

You never know what to expect when it comes to a freshman playing their first game for the Huskies. Are they are good as their high school and USA Basketball resumes indicate? Are they as good as Geno Auriemma says they are? Or will they need some time to get acclimated to life at the top of women’s basketball?
Kelly Faris is as good as advertised. There wasn’t a moment that she was in the game last night that she wasn’t doing something productive. Face it, she played like a senior. I know it was only an exhibition game against a Division II team. This wasn’t Stanford or North Carolina or Duke or Oklahoma or Notre Dame. But it’s not difficult to see that this kid play and that this kid can – and will – do a lot of things for the Huskies this season and beyond.
“I was telling Kalana (Greene) on the bench, `That’s what happens when you get workhorses that come to Connecticut.’ Good things happen,’’ All-American Maya Moore said. “And I feel like Kelly is above average in that. She works hard, and she’s also smart. And she makes the right dish. I was thinking of a drive in the second half. I think she drove the baseline. She could’ve easily tried to make a tough shot and create something, but she dished right off to Kaili (McLaren) and Kaili finished it. It was just a smart play, a real heads-up play. There are certain things that people have to come to Connecticut with. Not for one minute did we ever doubt Kelly’s competitiveness and drive. She wants to win a sprint. She’s not going to get beaten by a drill or lose when she’s being challenged. You can tell she loves the game and she wants to get better and learn. So I’m excited just to keep trying to help her and excited just to keep watching her play.’’
Faris generated 14 points, two rebounds, four assists and three steals and had only two turnovers in 25 minutes off the bench. Only Tiffany Hayes (28 minutes) played more for the Huskies.
Faris defended St. Rose’s point guard and was extremely active at that end of the floor. She was also aggressive offensively, making 6-of-8 shots (2-for-4 3-pointers).
“She’s taking it a little bit to heart when I said, `I don’t think you should pass up shots,’’’ Auriemma said. “So she’s being much more aggressive. I think she’s a really good offensive player. And because she’s such a good passer she can be effective every time she touches it and not just when she shoots it. She can make plays for herself and for other people.’’
Faris certainly provides Auriemma with another favorable chip to use in his rotation. He long has liked to bring a player off the bench that can immediately impact the game. That’s what Faris did last night.

One player who did not impact the game was Lorin Dixon, who was given the start at point guard. She finished with one point on 0-of-3 shooting, two rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes. Dixon did not commit a turnover, but she clearly did not cement herself into her role. She will need to play better Monday against Vanguard.

Auriemma has raved that he has seen offense come from a number of different spots in practice. The Huskies saw seven of their top eight players scored at least six points against St. Rose. They scored 85 points and Hayes was a dismal 1-of-11 from the field (1-of-9 3-pointers) and had just three points.

Moore never ceases to amaze. In a ho-hum performance, she still managed to finish with 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocks in 24 minutes. Just ridiculous.

Rich