UConn women's basketball

The ebb and flow of a season is often very interesting. Here’s an example that has surfaced recently concerning the shooting of All-American Maya Moore.
Earlier this month there were questions about a shooting slump. In wins over North Carolina Jan. 9, Marquette Jan. 13 and Notre Dame Jan. 16, Moore was a combined 16-of-41 from the field (.390). She was also just 1-of-16 from 3-point range in this span.
Moore never panicked. She continued to get her shots in practice and before games. And she answered questions about her poor shooting with confidence because she knew it would even out eventually. These things always seem to for the elite shooters.
And over the last two game things certainly have evened out. Moore was 6-of-12 from the field (6-of-9 3-pointers) at Duke Jan. 18 and was 10-of-14 (3-of-4) at Villanova Saturday.
“It’s not necessarily something that I’ve done differently,’’ Moore said. “I just continue to do my same routine and try to be focused in shootaround and warm-ups with taking game shots, which we usually do anyway.’’
Moore is shooting 54.7 percent from the field (38.5 from 3-point range) this season. And, of course, she is also averaging a team-high 18.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 27.1 minutes.

Moore was named the Big East Player of the Week for the second time this season today in light of her performances against Duke and Villanova. She averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 26.0 minutes.
Moore also won the award Dec. 28, and Tina Charles had been honored the previous three weeks. This marks the first time a UConn player has been honored by the conference in five straight weeks.

Even after 25 years and all of the accomplishments Geno Auriemma has on his Hall of Fame resume there are those on the outside who still perceive him to be arrogant and egotistical.
His decision to give Meghan Gardler her first career start in her final homecoming game at Villanova Saturday proves otherwise. He did not have to start her. She would have had the chance to start on Senior Night Feb. 27 against Georgetown at the XL Center.
But out of his appreciation for what she has contributed to the program over the last four years, Auriemma came to Gardler shortly before the start of the game and told her that she was starting in place of Tiffany Hayes. Afterward, Gardler was genuinely overjoyed with the opportunity. And so were her teammates.
“It’s one of those little things that people may not pay much attention to and overlook it,’’ Moore said. “But Coach, first and foremost, cares about us as people. He rewarded Meghan for all the time and effort and energy she’s invested in the program. By having her come out here and start and be introduced in front of the fans here, that speaks to the kind of person that he is.
“Any kind of coaching record or strategies that he has, they don’t matter. This shows his character. He’s in a position to make a mark or have an impact on us. He does a great job of doing that. It’s why players come here, and it’s why they come back. It’s just something that starts with Coach and trickles down and it’s evident from him down through to the managers. It’s something that he’s done his whole career and why he’s considered one of the greatest.’’

The Huskies will be ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press national poll today for the 36th straight week, tying Louisiana Tech (1980-82) for the longest streak all-time.

Rich

Here’s a look back at Saturday’s UConn-Villanova game:
TURNING POINT – A driving layup by Laura Sweeney cut UConn’s lead to 18-8 with 11:08 left in the first half. That would be the only points for Villanova over the next 8:58 as the Huskies scored 21 straight. Kalana Greene had eight in the run. Maya Moore had seven. The Wildcats were 0-of-4 shooting with seven turnovers during the dry spell. UConn was 9-of-16.
UNSUNG HERO – In one of the best feel-good events of the season to date, Meghan Gardler made her first career start in the final homecoming game of her career. She responded with six points and three rebounds in 24 minutes. She was emotional in talking about the opportunity afforded to her by Huskies’ coach Geno Auriemma afterward. And there was little doubt that her teammates were just happy to see her draw the start as she was.
“I think that’s what’s so great about this program,’’ Greene said. “Meghan means a lot to us, obviously. She does the intangibles that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. For her to come home and in front of all of her friends and family and be able to start and play well as she did is a beautiful thing.’’
BEST ‘X’ AND/OR ‘O’ –Villanova’s plan was to limit the Huskies’ transition opportunities and force them to make shots from the perimeter. The Wildcats held UConn to a season-low three fast-break points, but the Huskies made 14 of their 24 jump shots in the first half (.583) en route to a 45-12 lead at halftime.
“What we were trying to do was take away transition baskets and make them score like in 15 to 18 seconds instead of trying to score in like seven seconds or five seconds,’’ Villanova coach Harry Perretta said. “They scored mostly in their halfcourt execution, which is good. And they made shots over our head. Like we were trying to play off of Greene and then she started to make shots and now it’s like, `Now what do you do?’’’
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS – Former UConn All-American Donyell Marshall was among the large contingent of UConn fans at The Pavilion … Auriemma took time to sign an autograph for a fan with one minute left on the pregame clock as he was talking to Perretta, his long-time friend near the Wildcats bench. … Gardler’s father, Buddy, was also among the 100-plus fans on hand to support Meghan. Buddy coached Auriemma at Bishop Kenrick High School.
“He’s just a miserable SOB,’’ Auriemma said. “He’s not going to drive up to Connecticut except maybe once a year. So for him to get a chance to see her play here and play well and do some of the things that I know he values as a coach as I do, it’s got to be pretty gratifying. I’m sure he was very proud to see her come this far.’’
LOOKING AHEAD – The Huskies will host Rutgers Tuesday night at the XL Center (7) in the only scheduled meeting between the teams this season. It will be the first time since 2002-03 that they will not play twice during the regular season. The Scarlet Knights are currently one game behind UConn in the loss column in the Big East.
BY THE NUMBERS
8 – Games this season opponents have shot below 30.0 percent from the field
9 – 3-pointers in 13 attempts for Moore in the last two games
10 – Games this season UConn has shot at least 54.0 percent from the field

Rich

Villanova is expected to draw its largest crowd of the season today when it hosts UConn at The Pavilion. That won’t be hard since the Wildcats have not played before more than 1,071 fans – Jan. 16 vs. Marquette – in their first seven home games.
But while there will be plenty of fans in-house to check out the Huskies, Villanova coach Harry Perretta is not looking forward to the game. Not this season, one that has been marred by injuries.
The Huskies have won six straight games since the Wildcats won two straight March 11, 2003 in the Big East tournament final at Rutgers, which ended UConn’s NCAA record 70-game winning streak, and Feb. 28, 2004 at home. Led by Trish Juhline and Katie Davis, Villanova believed it had a chance to win. With five freshmen and a sophomore among its nine available players, that belief is not there today.
“It’s fun for the fans because people will come and get a chance to see UConn play,’’ Perretta said. “It’s not fun playing in a game where you can’t compete in. So that’s what makes it not fun because no matter what strategy we try to employ you can’t get it done, this particular year. Before it was kind of fun playing them when they were better than you, but they weren’t 50 points better than you. Because then you say to yourself, `Maybe on a given day we could get them.’ But now it’s like you look at the kids’ faces and they even know.
“This year our kids are in that mode, or I think most teams are in the mode, of what our team was in 2002,’’ Perretta said. “We’re like afraid. So that’s what I talk about when you hate playing the game. When you know they feel that way it’s not fun because the level’s so different it makes it like un-fun.’’

Rich

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that are so pleasing. Take Caroline Doty for example. Along with fellow Philly-area native Meghan Gardler, she will have a homecoming of sorts Saturday when the Huskies meet Villanova at The Pavilion.
Doty is certainly excited to see family and friends, her former coaches and others who have come to mean a lot of her over the years both on and off the court. But there are a couple of other things she was excited about too.
“We all want Wawa subs or Wawa ice tea or the soft pretzels,’’ Doty said. “So we’re all excited for that.’’
Doty, who resides in Doylestown, Pa., was a fan the last time UConn came to Villanova. Jan. 3, 2007. In fact, she has been to The Pavilion many times in the past. But tomorrow will be the first of two homecoming games in her career with the Huskies expected to again play at Villanova during her senior season in 2011-12.
“I feel like I’m getting spoiled because usually the seniors get the homecoming game and to have to my sophomore year and my senior year it’s unbelievable,’’ Doty said. “I grew up watching (Villanova coach) Harry Perretta play. Laura Kurz was there for a couple years. We’d just go to games just to go to games, me and my teammates in high school. And the fact that (freshman) Jesse Carey’s there. She was one of my really good friends growing up in high school, and Lindsay Kimmel just transferred there (from Temple). I’m extra spoiled. I get to see my two really good friends. I get to play in a gym I played in a lot through AAU. Play against a coach I grew up watching. And then having my family and friends there, who could ask for more.’’

It has been a tough season for Villanova, who stopped a four-game losing streak Thursday with a 55-44 win over George Washington. The Wildcats initially lost starters Amanda Swiezynski (Dec. 9) and Tia Grant (Dec. 29) for the season due to a torn ACL. How bad is it now? Down to eight players after Heather Scanlon suffered a foot injury last Saturday against Marquette that will keep her out 2-3 weeks, Perretta had to activate former Mercy High standout Rachel Roberts for the remainder of the season.
The original plan was for Roberts, a 5-foot-9 freshman guard from Marlborough, to red-shirt this season.
“We were going to activate her going on that road trip to Providence (Jan. 6), and then I said to myself, `Well, I have nine players …,’’’ Perretta said. “My number was 12 (games remaining). So in my mind 12 was the number and then you would get one in the Big East (tournament) which was 13. So when Heather had gotten hurt you were at 13 and then 14 in the Big East tournament. So I called Rachel in and I said, `I think if you play now, first of all, you’re going to get a lot of playing time because I’m going to throw you out there. Second of all, I think 14 games is a lot of games to play.’ And we’re going to go to Europe, which means she’s going to get five more. So she’s going to get 19. So it was a very difficult decision because I had to weigh what’s best for the kid and what’s best for the team and kind of like put both together. And it was really hard for me because I kind of felt like she was a kid that would help us next year and I didn’t want to waste her ability.’’
Roberts started and played 24 minutes Thursday. She finished with six points on a pair of 3-pointers and two rebounds.
“She was open to it, but not like overwhelmed because it’s hard to go from knowing you’re not going to play to now all of sudden you have to be, I don’t want to say a primary player, but you’re going to be an important player,’’ Perretta said. “That’s going from one extreme to the other and I think she was a little nervous. It was funny. Someone had said to me if she was eligible this year at the beginning of the year she would’ve played maybe three or four minutes a game because we didn’t have any injuries. And she also missed like 20 practices earlier in the year. She was sick (swine flu). She had some other problems. So she would’ve missed seven games anyhow. So if look at it she’s actually going to get as much or more time in the 14 games than she would’ve done if she played the whole season. She got 24 minutes (Thursday). She was a major factor in the game.
“She was really good about it. She said, `You recruited me. You gave me a scholarship and now you need me.’ And I said, `Well, you’re right. But I’m not going to force you to play. If you tell me you don’t want to play then I’m not going to play you. I’ll suck it up and finish the season with what we have.’ But it shows a real unselfish attitude. And she also had another good point. She said, `You’re giving me an opportunity. If I don’t play well it’s my fault,’ which is a good way to look at it. She didn’t look at it as, `Hey, you’re putting me in an intolerable situation.’’’

Perretta said they are expecting about 3,500 fans tomorrow.

Rich

Caroline Doty was quick to admit today following practice that the Huskies are spoiled. They take chartered flights to virtually every road game on their schedule that requires a plane flight.
It is a luxurious perk for top-ranked UConn. But as the Huskies make their way to Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s game at nearby Villanova, they will travel with less flare. The mode of transportation will be train as they travel from New London to the 30th Street Station.
“Actually, freshman year in high school before I was able to drive I would take a 45-minute train to school every morning with my brother,’’ Doty said. “So I don’t mind trains. They’re relaxing. I’m sure there’s a food car so we’ll be able to eat. We’ll get some schoolwork done. It’s an experience so we’re just going to go with it.’’
The Huskies will bus to their hotel after arriving in Philadelphia. They will then bus back to Connecticut following the game.
The idea of taking a train was hatched by coach Geno Auriemma in an effort to save the university some money. He said it costs between $35,000 and $40,000 to charter a flight. The cost of the train and bus will cost roughly 75 percent less.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say a lot of it has to do with the state of the economy and the state of affairs,’’ Auriemma said. “So I thought, `Why not do something different? Let’s be really old school and take the train.’’’

Rich

Here’s the link for my chat, which will begin at noon.

Rich

Here’s some interesting info that was passed along by Louisville SID Kimberli A. Pemberton tonight:
“The waiver the University of Louisville submitted on behalf of senior center Chauntise Wright was denied by the NCAA today. The University had submitted a waiver to extend Wright’s five year clock, which ran out when the 2010 semester began. Wright graduated from the University of Louisville in December with a degree in exercise science. She will remain at the university to finish out classes for the spring semester.’’
Wright averaged 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in just 7.4 minutes in 13 games off the bench this season.

I will conduct my live chat tomorrow from noon to 1 p.m. See you there.

Rich

It has been a long road for Caroline Doty since she tore the ACL in her left knee for the second time Jan. 17, 2009 against Syracuse. She reached the one-year anniversary of the injury Sunday and followed with a strong performance in Monday’s 81-48 victory at No. 6 Duke.
Doty scored 13 points, made three of the five 3-pointers she attempted, and added two rebounds, three assists and one steal in 30 minutes. It was a feel-good effort for her as she had scored a combined 23 points in the last three games and had not reached double figures in scoring in 10 of the last 14. Doty also was just 2-of-11 from 3-point range over the last three games.
When the Huskies were in North Carolina last Jan. 19 to play the Tar Heels Doty could only sit and watch. This time she played an integral role in UConn’s 57th straight win and its second win over a Top 6 foe in just about 48 hours.
“It’s been a long journey,’’ Doty said. “No one ever wants to go through that kind of thing. But to go through this whole past week with GameDay and coming down here and experiencing this, just knowing all the hard work paid off. Rosemary Ragle, our trainer, having me in the training room doing the right things and having my team support me 100 percent the entire way. It is a year-long recovery and to go through it and to have an outcome like this, this great, this exciting I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for it.’’
Doty also demonstrated a sense of maturity Monday. She was called for a foul with 5:10 left in the first half after committing a turnover in the frontcourt. Doty was visibly upset about the call, but she responded by making a pull-up jumper in the lane with 23 seconds later and followed with a 3-pointer 34 seconds after to boost UConn’s lead to 14.
That was the only foul Doty was called for in the game.
“My teammates and coaches have been on me about staying composed,’’ Doty said. “I do get fired up here and there, and just too know to come back as positive as possible is the right thing to do. If you get down on yourself or you get too angry no one’s going to prosper from that. So to come out and hit a couple shots and kind of get in the rhythm that way and erase everything that has happened in the past.’’

The Cameron Crazies were in full effect Monday night. The line started outside early. So did the trash talking once they got inside.
“I didn’t hear any during the game,’’ senior Kalana Greene said. “It was like gibberish. But before the game a couple guys in the student section were just saying, `You guys (stink). You’re going to lose.’ I’m like, `OK, thanks.’’’
The presence of the Huskies was largely responsible for Duke drawing its first sellout in its ninth game at Cameron Indoor Stadium this season. The Blue Devils had not drawn more than 5,237 (vs. then-No. 3 Ohio State Dec. 3).
“It was a real good atmosphere,’’ Greene said. “You’re standing out of bounds and your feet are almost on the line and the crowd is right in back of you. That only happens at Duke. I think they have the best student section in the country – behind ours.’’
Said Doty: “It’s a great experience. Everyone talks about the Cameron Crazies and how great the arena is. To be out there and to be a part of something that great is fun.’’

The Huskies have just one game at Gampel Pavilion remaining this season (Feb. 13 vs. St. John’s). And beginning with their game at Marquette Jan. 13, they currently find themselves in a stretch that will see them play nine of their final 15 regular season games on the road, including four their next six.
UConn has won its last 20 true road games.
“I wish the schedule was different,’’ coach Geno Auriemma said “I wish we had some home games, but there’s a lot of travel involved. It is what it is. You’re going to be tested by what you do when you’re not at home. When you’re on a plane. When you’re in a hotel room all day long. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of with this group as I was with that other group. To win this many games in a row in different gyms, in different environments, hotels and planes and buses … You have one day where you don’t make any shots. You have another day where guys foul out. And to be able to overcome all that stuff that’s probably partly the character of the players that we recruit. And having all these road games … Maybe that’s what this team is supposed to do. They’re supposed to prove themselves over and over and over again.’’

Here are Maya Moore’s thoughts of watching Greene, Doty and Tiffany Hayes when she was forced to spend the final 8:24 of the first half on the bench with two fouls: “When I was in foul trouble on the bench in the first half I was just cheesing like a little kid in the candy store because they were doing so well,’’ she said.
Greene was equally impressed with Doty and Hayes, who handled themselves extremely well in a hostile environment. Hayes (6) and Doty (5) combined for 11 points during UConn’s game-breaking 17-6 run early in the second half.
“Once they got the jitters and butterflies out of their system in the first few minutes they were really good,’’ Greene said. “I don’t think there are many other sophomores around the country that could come in here and in this atmosphere do what they did.’’

The Huskies had a season-low 24 points in the paint against Duke. But they tied their season-high by making 13 3-pointers.

The Huskies are taking a train to Philadelphia Friday for Saturday’s game at Villanova. Yes, that’s right, a train.

Rich