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The players are some of the best that have ever played the game of women’s basketball. Maya Moore. Tina Charles. Renee Montgomery. Diana Taurasi. Sue Bird. Jennifer Rizzotti. Kara Wolters. And Rebecca Lobo.

The UConn women’s basketball team has rolled into the Final Four at one point or another with one or more of these players on their roster. The Huskies were the favorites to win the national championship. These players provided Coach Geno Auriemma and his staff with a sense of comfort.

UConn arrived at the Pepsi Center Saturday with a different look. In a rare instance, the Huskies do not feature the best player. However, judging by the path they have taken to reach Sunday night’s national semifinal against Notre Dame (6:30; ESPN), their situation is hardly considered to be a significant detriment.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way than the way we did it with this team this year,’’ UConn assistant coach Shea Ralph said. “To be honest, watching them be so successful with so much doubt and uncertainty surrounding them and them hearing all year, `You don’t have a star player. You don’t have a star player.’ It’s been so gratifying to watch them get to this point with how hard they’ve worked and how excited they are for each other. It’s been really rewarding.’’

It is arguably only the fifth time in 13 Final Four appearances that UConn (33-4) does not enter the event featuring the top player in the field. The other seasons when the Huskies did not boast the single truly elite player were 1991 (Dawn Staley, Virginia), 2000 (Tamika Catchings, Tennessee), 2001 (Ruth Riley, Notre Dame), 2008 (Candace Parker, Tennessee) and this season with Baylor 6-foot-8 junior National Player of the Year Brittney Griner.

A case could be made that UConn does not have one of the top three players this weekend with Griner, Stanford All-American Nneka Ogwumike and Notre Dame All-American Skylar Diggins. Incidentally, UConn has gone on to win the national championship only once when it has not had the best player (2000).

Ralph, who was an All-American for the Huskies in 2000, says the fact that UConn does not have the best player does not stunt its collective level of confidence regarding whether or not it can win two games here.

“I don’t think we have any doubt we can,’’ Ralph said. “I don’t think that is a prerequisite for being able to win. Obviously, it helps but I think we found our niche in the team effort. We are very comfortable and our players have had great success over the past month just getting to that point.’’

The Huskies have compensated for their lack of star power this season with an all-for-one approach. And never has that been more evident than in the NCAA tournament.

Bria Hartley (16.8), Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (16.5), Tiffany Hayes (12.5) and Stefanie Dolson (10.5) are averaging in double figures in scoring through the first four rounds. However, UConn had five players in double figures in scoring in wins over fourth-seeded Penn State and second-seeded Kentucky at the Kingston regional as Kelly Faris has established herself as a threat offensively.

It is the first time this season that the Huskies have had five players in double figures in back-to-back games.

“With this particular group, it’s like we need everybody to do their part in order for us to be good,’’ UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey said. “Like if only Tiffany played well it wouldn’t be enough. This team is different. It’s built differently than any other we’ve really had. Everybody has to do something. We’re not good enough alone. And whether you’re a senior or you’re a freshman, it’s not enough. Everybody has to be right there.’’

Faris has scored a combined 26 points in the last two games. It is the second time this season and the fifth time in her career that she has reached double figures in consecutive games. When she is directly involved in the offense, the Huskies are increasingly more difficult to defend.

The last four seasons opponents geared their game plans towards slowing Moore. The strategy is different this season.

“Poor Maya,’’ Faris said. “It was all on her shoulders. We left her out to dry. She did everything she could. But we got so used to her bailing us out all the time. This year we didn’t have that luxury. We need to rely on everyone to pull it out.’’

Rich

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UConn sophomore Bria Hartley had no idea that she would be named an All-American this season. She felt that she had her moments when she has played like one of the best players in the country, but she is far too humble to get caught up in any talk of individual awards.

Hartley, a 5-foot-7 guard, prides herself on working hard and playing to the best of her ability each time she steps on the court. She was rewarded for her intense work ethic Saturday as she was named to the 10-member WBCA Coaches’ All-America team during a ceremony at the Pepsi Center.

“We didn’t really have a superstar on the team this year so I think this award is really for our whole team and how we all came together and how we all played together,’’ Hartley said. “And it’s still an honor to be named to this team and it’s definitely a dream come true.’’

Hartley, whose parents, Dennis and Simone Hart¬ley were among those in the crowd, is the 14th member of the Huskies to be honored by the WBCA. UConn now has 26 selections all-time.

Hartley is only the fourth UConn sophomore to be named to the team, joining Svetlana Abrosimova (1998-99), Diana Taurasi (2001-02) and Maya Moore (2008-09). Hartley is averaging career-highs of 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 32.9 minutes this season.

“I think if you look at our team and you put the whole five months together and what we’ve been able to do, I can’t think of anybody who’s more deserving on our team or has had a bigger impact,’’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “Bria works really hard at the game. To think she has two more years … She’s a big-game player and she prepares herself for those big games, and I think that’s why she plays so well in big games.’’

Hartley is averaging 14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds 3.8 assists in 35.1 minutes in 16 games this season against ranked opponents. She had a season-high 25 points at Baylor Dec. 18 and 25 at Notre Dame Jan. 7.

Through the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament, Hartley is averaging a team-high 16.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 33.0 minutes.

“I just think the world of her, obviously,” Auriemma said. “She’s just something special in her approach to the game. No matter how much you want to get on her, no matter how much you get after her for what you want her to do and how you want her to do it, she’s exceptional at fighting back and you’ve got to admire that.’’

With 987 career points, Hartley needs 13 to join fellow Moore (1,432) and Abrosimova (1,102) as the only players in team history to reach 1,000 points during their sophomore season.

Moore and Abrosimova have already been inducted into the Huskies of Honor. Hartley will now have her day too.

“It’s definitely pretty exciting,’’ Hartley said. “But I’ve still got things to focus on. We have our game (tonight) and that’s the main thing we’re focused on this weekend.’’

Rich

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It has become clear that the feud that once existed between UConn coach Geno Auriemma and Tennessee coach Pat Summitt is rapidly subsiding. The two spent some time together on the court at the Pepsi Center today during the Huskies’ open practice.

“We just kind of talked little bit about her foundation and what (Big East associate commissioner) Danielle Donehew was doing for that and how I was happy that I got a chance to talk to Danielle about it early on when they first started the foundation,’’ Auriemma said. “She pretty much just expressed that she’s doing great and she feels good, that she’s under great care, that she’s being taken care of by the best people. It was only a couple minutes, but I had told her that I’m sure that once the NCAA tournament is over we’ll get a chance to talk a little bit more after that.’’

Rich

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The top priority this weekend for UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is to help guide the Huskies to an NCAA record-tying eighth national championship. However, at the Denver Convention Center Friday, he got a glimpse at the future as well.

Auriemma, who will soon turn his full attention to his duties as the 2012 USA Women’s Basketball Olympic coach, learned the identity of 11 of the 12 players that will be taking aim at winning a fifth straight gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in London this summer. The roster was highlighted by former UConn All-Americans Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tina Charles, Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi.

“I’ve got some work to do this weekend that I hope lasts until Tuesday night,’’ Auriemma said. “But, I’ll tell you one thing, Wednesday morning when I wake up I’ll be at training camp and I’ll be in London. Physically, I might still be here either celebrating or (drowning) my sorrows. But Wednesday morning when I wake up I’m going to be at training camp and I’m going to be in London. Physically, I’ll be here. But mentally and emotionally I’ll be in London.’’

Along with Tamika Catchings, Bird and Taurasi will be looking to earn their third career gold medal. Seimone Augustus, Cash, Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker are looking for their second gold medal, while Charles, Angel McCoughtry, Moore and Lindsay Whalen have been named to the Olympic team for the first time.

Cash won gold in 2004 in Athens. Her bid for a spot on the 2008 team was derailed by a herniated disc in her lower back. She ultimately underwent back surgery March 9, 2009.

“I really just had to make a sacrifice, and it was a sacrifice from a lot of different things in my life just to be back here again,’’ Cash said. “So I’m just really happy that the committee’s given me another opportunity to finally finish up my USA Basketball career with these wonderful women and go for gold.’’

The players were selected by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee, approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors and are pending final approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee. The final roster spot will be filled at a late date.

Baylor 6-foot-8 junior All-American Brittney Griner is the leading candidate to earn the final spot.

“Everybody knows that I’m a big fan of Brittney Griner, obviously,’’ Auriemma said. “There’s a couple big kids playing for other teams around the world, Australia and Russia specifically. Do I think that Tina and Sylvia and Candace can win the gold medal against those two teams with that size? Absolutely. Do I think a 6-8 kid that is playing this weekend could help us be even better? Yeah, I think so. That’s the luxury that the United States has, isn’t it? That we have the ability to field these kinds of teams in basketball, as we should. We’re the preeminent basketball team in the world, the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team. So we’re fortunate to have that luxury.’’

The USA Women’s National Team, which owns a 33-game Olympic winning streak, will meet in Washington, D.C. July 14 to train prior to playing an exhibition game against Brazil July 16 at the Verizon Center. It will also face Great Britain in Manchester, England July 18 and will compete in a four-team tournament hosted by Turkey in Istanbul July 21-24.

The Olympic women’s basketball competition will be held July 28-Aug. 11 in the Olympic Park Basketball Arena (preliminary round and quarterfinals) and North Greenwich Arena (semifinals and finals).

“All 11 of the players that were selected have won one Olympic gold medal or multiple gold medals or they’ve won World Championship gold medals,’’ Auriemma said. “The experience factor, obviously, is huge. The fact that they’ve proven that they can. They’re proven winners. And more than that … More than just that they’re great players. You don’t just wake up one morning and you represent the United States of America on the world stage. This takes some time to get to this place, and they put the time in. And it’s about character too. You’re talking about people that have extraordinary character. As good as their basketball skills they’re the kind of people that I think we want representing USA Basketball.’’

Rich

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Kelly Faris hoped that losses to Baylor in December and Notre Dame in early January would be enough to trigger a change within the UConn women’s basketball team. They lost leads in the second half of each game, choosing to retreat in the face of a run by the opposition rather than countering and attacking.

Losses have been few for the Huskies in recent years. But rather than change they continued to go on their way and they continued to win. In the minds of some players it was not necessary to change.

However, bitter losses at home to St. John’s on Senior Night Feb. 18 and to Notre Dame in the regular season finale Feb. 27 left UConn staggering heading into the postseason. If the Huskies were to have any chance of reaching the Final Four for an NCAA record-tying fifth straight season, they desperately needed to change.

“We were immature,’’ Faris said. “We would lose and then we wouldn’t really change much. And I think there came a point where it was like, `OK, this is getting old. This is frustrating. This isn’t what Connecticut’s about.’ And we wanted to have fun with it. It wasn’t fun. We were losing. We weren’t playing well. We weren’t a cohesive unit type of thing. So I think as a whole it just came down to we really decided, `OK, we have to change it. We have to become a more mature team. And do what Coach (Auriemma) tells us, because he’s always right.’’

It was Faris, who customarily leads by example rather than with her words, who led the charge in the days following the loss to the Irish. She told the Huskies what had been transpiring for weeks was unacceptable. There needed to be greater focus, greater execution and a greater sense of togetherness.

Faris’ message was fully absorbed by her teammates. And just more than four weeks later, UConn (33-4) finds itself riding a seven-game winning streak and preparing to face Notre Dame (34-3) in the national semifinals at the Pepsi Center in Denver Sunday night (6:30; ESPN).

“Between (the loss to Notre Dame) and when the Big East tournament started for us (March 4), I think those five days changed everything for us,’’ Auriemma said. “Changed our mindset, our approach, what our expectation level of each other was, and we grew up as a team that week. More so than maybe in those five days than in the previous five months.’’

The Huskies always had the talent to advance to the Final Four and contend for a national championship. But it was the mental aspect of the game that they had to fortify to make this impressive journey.

UConn avenged the losses to St. John’s and Notre Dame on back-to-back nights earlier this month en route to winning the Big East tournament championship in Hartford. The Huskies defeated fourth-seeded Penn State and second-seeded Kentucky in Kingston, R.I. this week to win the regional.

“I think it was just a mental change,’’ UConn sophomore Stefanie Dolson said. “We knew that because of the team that we have this year that we weren’t going to be able to come out on the floor and just some of us not have a good game and other ones have a good game. We all had to come out every time we stepped on the floor and play the best game that we ever could so that way we weren’t going to lose again.’’

Auriemma has questioned right along whether or not this team could win an NCAA record-tying eighth national championship. Senior Tiffany Hayes, the regional Most Outstanding Player, believes that the Huskies have finally sold him on the fact that they now are a championship-caliber unit.

“He has said it on and off,’’ Hayes said. “(Tuesday) he said it. So I think we have.’’

The Huskies, who lack a bonafide superstar, have proven that they have made exceptional strides since losing to Notre Dame last month. They also realize their mission is far from complete.

This team-oriented group has eyes on winning two more games and proving to the nation that this is definitely a national championship team.

“For us, it’s been an unbelievable ride up to this point,’’ Auriemma said. “So many ups in the beginning of the season. So many questions that we had, so much questioning of ourselves through the middle of the season, and then a real coming together at the end. I’m really, really proud of this group and how we’ve grown up in a short period of time. It couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of kids. And I’m thrilled they’re getting an opportunity to do something that most kids go to college dreaming of.’’

Rich

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Here the thoughts of ESPN women’s basketball analysts Carolyn Peck, Rebecca Lobo, Kara Lawson and Doris Burke on the Final Four …

ESPN Studio Analyst Carolyn Peck
National Champion: Baylor

Reason for Baylor Winning National Title: The team has an ideal combination of a dominant center and a strong and assertive point guard. They can shoot from the perimeter and is a team that plays aggressive defense.

Thoughts on Baylor: The National Championship is Baylor’s to lose. They have the most dominating center in the country, but the team is not only Brittney Griner. They have demonstrated they have surrounding players that can make the key plays, score baskets and frustrate opponents with their tenacious defense.

Thoughts on Connecticut: The Huskies have talent, toughness and experience. There are no superstars on this team, but have the possibility to have a night when that one person can lead them to victory. UConn’s shortcomings are they lack a second post, as they used a four guard lineup all season. Although, Stefanie Dolson has been able to be an anchor and hold down the position on her own.

Thoughts on Notre Dame: They are a team with vengeance on the mind. The Irish were so close to holding that championship trophy last year. The team can score, and I really like the way they are playing right now, how they are moving and sharing the basketball. Skylar Diggins has demonstrated to be one of the best point guards in the country and a key to their success will be fifth-year senior Devereaux Peters.

Thoughts on Stanford: The Cardinal will be a challenge for Baylor. They are the only team in the Final Four that the Bears have not faced this season. They have a driving force in Nneka Ogwumike. She has skill, talent, energy and maturity. That is an ideal recipe to be a problem for Griner. They have three players on the roster with Final Four experience, plus a much improved Joslyn Tinkle.

ESPN Game & Studio Analyst Rebecca Lobo
National Champion: Connecticut

Reason for Connecticut Winning National Title: While I think UConn will have a lot of difficulty getting past Notre Dame, I think they have enough to win the whole thing. They played Baylor as tough as anyone in the regular season, beat Stanford, and have the experience of both playing in a National Title Game, and winning it. All the pieces would have to fall in the right place, but with Coach Auriemma guiding them, I think he might get his eighth championship.

Thoughts on Baylor: Baylor has been great all season. Griner is the toughest match-up in college basketball on both ends of the floor. We’ve never seen a player like her. She is not a one woman show, but is surrounded by outstanding talent. Destiny Williams is a perfect interior complement to Griner and Odyssey Sims is one of the most clutch shooters in the game. Add one of the country’s best coaches in Kim Mulkey, and it’s no surprise that Baylor is still undefeated.

Thoughts on Connecticut: UConn is the only team in the Final Four without a star but the Huskies somehow found their way to Denver. They did it by playing phenomenal defense and sharing the basketball on the offensive end. UConn rediscovered its identity during the BIG EAST Championship and haven’t looked back. This could be one of Coach Auriemma’s best coaching jobs.

Thoughts on Notre Dame: The Irish run beautiful offense and are the best passing team in the country. Diggins has been terrific and she has been able to take her game up a notch during the tournament. The Irish’s defensive prowess doesn’t get as much attention as their offense but they are terrific on both sides of the ball. If Natalie Achonwa can give them production like she did in the Regional Final against Maryland, Notre Dame could be cutting down the nets for the first time since 2001.

Thoughts on Stanford: Stanford is one of the most improved teams from the beginning of the season to the end. The Ogwumike sisters continue to dazzle and the improvement of Orrange has really impacted the Cardinal. When Stanford is hitting from the perimeter, they can beat any team in the country.

ESPN Studio Analyst Kara Lawson
National Champion: Baylor

Reason for Baylor Winning National Title: The Bears presence of Griner gives them the ultimate edge. As much as she has improved from a year ago, her supporting cast has improved as well. This is a well balanced team that will have to lean on that balance to win the title.

Thoughts on Baylor: They provide a unique dilemma for opposing offenses. The element of surprise or unfamiliarity with Griner’s presence changes the outcome of a few possessions a half. Their perimeter players place great pressure on their match-ups and are among the best in closeout situations. Baylor is an improving outside shooting team, which makes them scary on the offensive end as well.

Thoughts on Connecticut: UConn, more than any team in the country, demands precise execution of their opponents. They are a great defensive team because of their effort and accountability. These traits carry over to the offensive end where they understand it takes multiple players to make plays for them to be successful.

Thoughts on Notre Dame: The Irish are a team with great synergy. Their lineup allows for versatility in where they attack you and which player makes plays. Rebounding is a huge key for Notre Dame in the Final Four.

Thoughts on Stanford: Nneka Ogwumike is the driving force for this team much like Griner is for Baylor. They have been the two biggest stars in this tournament. Her will and effort make it difficult to game plan for her. Amber Orrange remains a key player because of her ability to make plays and create opportunities.

ESPN Game Analyst Doris Burke
National Champion: Baylor

Thoughts on Baylor and Why They Can Win the Title: The biggest storyline all year has been whether or not anyone can beat Baylor. Sims and Griner are the best players at their respective positions. Kim Mulkey has challenged the players around those two all season, making it clear no two players can win a national title. Each has responded. This group is poised to become the first women’s teams to have 40 wins in one season!

Thoughts on Connecticut: Without a first team All-American since 2007, they have been consistent in their formula for winning all season. The nation’s hardest defense to score against is relentless. Hartley, Hayes, Mosqueda-Lewis and Dolson all must contribute consistently against a complete Notre Dame team.

Thoughts on Notre Dame: At the start of the year, I believed the Irish and the Baylor Bears would play for the title. ND has three playmaking guards in Diggins, Novosel and McBride. All are difficult to contain off the dribble and Peters has been sensational in the post.

Thoughts on Stanford: The Cardinal has the most dynamic tandem of forwards in the country with the Ogwumike sisters. Nneka Ogwumike has had a player-of-the-year type season, imposing her will and at times carrying Stanford. However, I believe Baylor wins this match-up on the strength of the defense they put on perimeter game.

Rich

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Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, university officials announced today.

Mulkey will lead the top-rated and undefeated Lady Bears (38-0) against Stanford (35-1) in the NCAA national semifinals Sunday at the Pepsi Center in Denver at about 8:30 p.m. UConn (33-4) and Notre Dame (34-3) will meet in the first game at 6:30.

It is the first time since 1989 and only the second time in the history of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, which began in 1982, that all four No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Final Four.

“I noticed while we were in Des Moines last week that my tongue felt strange,’’ Mulkey said in a statement. “Yesterday I noticed when I smiled, only the left side of my mouth was working. Also, my right eye was drooping and I couldn’t hear properly out of my right ear. Our trainer, Alex Olson, examined me before practice and it was decided I needed immediate medical care. Instead of going to practice, I went to the doctor.’’

According to the statement, Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that results in the inability to control facial muscles of the affected side. The condition usually has a rapid onset of partial or complete paralysis that often occurs overnight.

The facial nerve passes through a small canal in the skull beneath the ear. It is thought that an inflammatory condition causes the facial nerve to swell which leads to compression of the nerve as it passes through the canal. While the exact cause of the swelling is unknown, many physicians believe the cause may be due to a virus.

“Coach Mulkey is being treated with an anti-viral medication along with oral steroids to reduce the inflammation of the facial nerve,’’ Olson said.

Rich

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UConn commits Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson had 18 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the West team at the McDonald’s All-American game Wednesday in Chicago. The East won the game 79-78.

Future UConn teammate Breanna Stewart had nine points for the East.

All three players will compete in the WBCA All-America game at the Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday at 4:30 p.m. MT.

Rich