UConn women's basketball

I had no idea what I was about to see this morning when I turned on the television shortly before 7. I was instructed by my 3 year old son to put on Scooby Doo. You know, the episode where they meet Sandy Duncan and deal with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
But before I could get to the cartoon, I saw the surreal incident that took place last night at Texas Tech when Baylor’s star freshman Brittney Griner punched Jordan Barncastle in the face after the two got tangled up in the lane. Barncastle was called for a foul on the play, but Griner then collected herself and delivered a wild right hand that connected.
Griner was hit with a flagrant foul and immediately ejected. Per NCAA rules, this prompted an automatic one-game suspension. She was suspended an additional game today by Baylor coach Kim Mulkey.
“I am very disappointed in the incident which happened during our basketball game last night at Texas Tech,’’ Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey said in a statement. “There is no place for those types of actions in sports. I do not condone that type of behavior in my program and have dealt with it accordingly.
I don’t believe this incident should define Brittney Griner – either as a person or as a player. Anyone who has been around her knows that she’s a great kid. Her actions last night were very uncharacteristic of her. Unfortunately, she let her emotions get the best of her, and that can’t happen. Brittney is a special young lady. She is great for our game, and I believe she will learn from this mistake and will become a better person moving forward.’’
Griner, a 6-foot-8 center who leads No. 14 Baylor in scoring (19.0), rebounding (8.7) and blocks (6.0), will miss Sunday’s game against No. 18 Texas and the team’s Big 12 tournament opener March 11 or 12. If you ask me, the severity of her actions warrants a suspension that at least spans the length of the conference tournament.
“I’d like to apologize to Jordan for my actions during last night’s game,’’ Griner said in a statement. “I also owe an apology to the Lady Raider team, my teammates and coaches, the fans and the game of women’s basketball. I let my emotions get the best of me and I am deeply sorry for my actions. I am committed to doing a better job of maintaining my composure in the future. I will grow from this and I am dedicated to setting an example to others of how to learn from personal mistakes.’’
Huskies’ coach Geno Auriemma was out recruiting and was not aware of the incident until his daughter told him. He would eventually see the highlights on TV. Today he weighed in on the topic following practice.
“I still don’t know exactly what precipitated it,’’ Auriemma said. “I don’t know what was going on during the game between those two. So, in the heat of the moment, people should be surprised it doesn’t happen more often given the nature of the game. So the fact that it doesn’t happen very often, these kids are pretty disciplined and they restrain themselves pretty well. Not that that’s asking a lot. `Hey listen, don’t punch anybody.’ Even saying that, some stuff that goes on during the game you feel like punching somebody, but you can’t do it. One kid punched another kid … Stupid, irresponsible, immature, undisciplined. Every adjective you want to use. Accurate.
“What can you do about it? Every coach talks to their players about, `You can’t do that.’ Every coach talks to their players about, `You can’t leave the bench. Don’t be out there if something happens.’ There isn’t a coach in America that doesn’t do that.’’

Rich

CBS Evening News was on hand today at Gampel Pavilion to film a segment for an upcoming show. Geno Auriemma, Tina Charles, Maya Moore and Caroline Doty were interviewed for the piece.

A recruiting source has confirmed that Kiah Stokes, a 6-foot-3 junior post player from Marion, Iowa, has indeed been offered a scholarship by the Huskies. Auriemma went to see her play this week. He will go see Elizabeth Williams, a 6-3 center from Virginia Beach, Va. who is regarded as the top player in the Class of 2011, next week.

Fans can watch free live video of the first and second rounds of the Big East tournament and live audio of the quarterfinals, semifinals and final on BIGEAST.tv. Live stats, live blogs, a new interactive bracket, exclusive interviews and press conferences with players and coaches will also be available.

Rich

2009-10 BIG EAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON HONORS
All-Big East First Team
x-Sr. C Tina Charles, UConn
Sr. F Kalana Greene, UConn
Sr. C Jessica Lawson, South Florida
Sr. G Chelsea Marandola, Providence
Sr. F Nicole Michael, Syracuse
x-Jr. F Maya Moore, UConn
Soph. F Monique Reid, Louisville
Jr. G Liz Repella, West Virginia
Fr. G Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown
Sr. G Lindsay Schrader, Notre Dame
Soph. F Da’Shena Stevens, St. John’s

All-Big East Second Team
Sr. G Ashley Barlow, Notre Dame
Fr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
Soph. F Keisha Hampton, DePaul
Soph. G Tiffany Hayes, UConn
Jr. G Monica McNutt, Georgetown
Jr. G Sarah Miles, West Virginia
Jr. G Sam Quigley, DePaul
Sr. G Brittany Ray, Rutgers
Jr. G Angel Robinson, Marquette
Sr. G Kahla Roudebush, Cincinnati

All-Big East Honorable Mention
Jr. G/F Korinne Campbell, West Virginia
Jr. F Chelsea Cole, Pittsburgh
Sr. G Maria Getty, Villanova
Sr. G Jania Sims, Pittsburgh

y-All-Big East Freshman Team
C Kayla Alexander, Syracuse
x-C Asya Bussie, West Virginia
x-G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
G Kelly Faris, UConn
x-F Katherine Harry, DePaul
G Nadirah McKenith, St. John’s
x-G Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown
F KaNeisha Saunders, South Florida
F Sarina Simmons, Marquette
x-G Shenneika Smith, St. John’s
F Laura Sweeney, Villanova
G Carmen Tyson-Thomas, Syracuse
x-unanimous selection
y-Two extra members were added due to a tie in the voting

BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jr. G Sarah Miles, West Virginia

BIG EAST SIXTH MAN AWARD
Fr. F Laura Sweeney, Villanova

BIG EAST MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD
Soph. F Monique Reid, Louisville

BIG EAST SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Sr. G Maria Getty, Villanova

Senior Tina Charles and junior Maya Moore were among the 12 players added to the 2010-12 USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster, USA Basketball announced today. The 12 athletes bring the pool of players from which the 2010 USA World Championship Team and, should the USA qualify, the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team will be selected to 20.
Former UConn All-Americans Renee Montgomery, Swin Cash and Asjha Jones, former Louisville All-American and 2009 WNBA Rookie of the Year Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Alana Beard (Washington Mystics), Shameka Christon (New York Liberty), Candice Dupree (Chicago Sky), Lindsey Harding (Washington Mystics), Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx) and Candice Wiggins (Minnesota Lynx) were also added to the roster. The selections were made by the five member USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee.
“I’m excited because it’s a great mixture of veterans, young players, players who are versatile enough to give us an awful lot of options as to how we want to play,’’ USA National Team and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. “Certainly we take into consideration winning and all of these players are winners. They’ve been on winning programs all their lives. I’m anxious to get to work with them and anxious to mix them in with the group that was announced earlier. I’m thrilled with the make-up of the group. We have the best players in the world and this is just another example of how deep the pool is that the U.S. can draw from.’’
This latest group of players joins USA National Team members and two-time Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), along with 2008 gold medalists Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Kara Lawson (Connecticut Sun), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury).
“The first group is obviously so experienced and so used to winning, having been in the Olympics and having won a gold medal,’’ Auriemma said. “This next group represents an opportunity for us, not only to continue to build a stronger USA National Team for this coming World Championship and beyond, but it will help us identify who that next core group may be going forward.’’

Don’t forget … Live chat tomorrow at noon.

Rich

In times like this you can really get a true gauge on how people feel about one another. Tina Charles, who has been badgered by UConn coach Geno Auriemma throughout her career, paid him a high compliment following her record-setting performance Monday when she became the program’s career leading scorer and rebounder.

“Just the fact that he believed in my game and he never gave up on me,’’ Charles said. “He just stuck with me. He took me to levels that I never thought I’d ever experience or ever believed that I could succeed in. So it’s a great accomplishment.’’

Auriemma showed his kinder, gentler side too. Even if it was only for a moment too.

“I’m starting to really appreciate her more now,’’ Auriemma said. “Not because of the numbers I think, but seniors do get to a point with me when like you really, really, really trust them and you really like them and you really feel good for them. So I think between now and Sunday she’s going to live in that neighborhood. After Sunday she might get evicted. I don’t know.’’

Charles was named the Big East Player of the Week for the sixth time this season today. That ties Rebecca Lobo (1993-94) and former Georgetown star Rebekkah Brunson (2003-04) for second all-time in conference history for a single season. Nykesha Sales (1997-98) and former Louisville All-American Angel McCoughtry (2008-09) were each honored seven times.

Single-session tickets for the Big East tournament at the XL Center Friday through Tuesday are now on sale. Ticket prices as follows: Session 1 (Friday afternoon doubleheader) $20; Session 2 (Friday night doubleheader) $20; Session 3 (Saturday afternoon doubleheader) $20; Session 4 (Saturday night doubleheader) $20; Session 5 (Sunday afternoon doubleheader) $25; Session 6 (Sunday night doubleheader) $25; Session 7 (Monday semifinal doubleheader) $30; Session 8 (Tuesday final) $30.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 1-800-745-3000, on-line at www.xlcenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets and at the XL Center box office. All ticket purchases are subject to additional convenience fees.

For group sales (10 or more) information and discounts, contact Cheri Lisko of the XL Center at 860-548-2000.

Ticket packages for all 15 games of the tournament are still available for $99.

Rich

Here’s a look back at Monday’s UConn-Notre Dame game:

TURNING POINT – The Huskies led 16-15 with 9:59 left in the first half. Notre Dame was collapsing on Tina Charles inside, and UConn needed someone to step up. Caroline Doty did by delivering a three-point play and two 3-pointers to key a 20-8 run to finish the first half. “She was great and it’s just what she needed,’’ Kalana Greene said.

UNSUNG HEROES – Doty and Tiffany Hayes. They combined for 24 points (9-of-17 FG), eight rebounds and three assists. Hayes had 13 points and six rebounds. Doty had 11 points and three assists. “Our guards played really well,’’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “And I knew going in that that was going to be a huge factor because Notre Dame’s not stupid. They were going to make it really hard for Tina. At one point I said during a timeout, `Hey, look, guys, Tina’s doing her job. She’s keeping three guys occupied. The rest of you guys are going to have to make some shots.’ And Caroline’s first half was incredible. And then Tiffany picked it up in the second half. They’re just getting better all the time. I’m looking to get some consistent play out of them.’’

BEST ‘X’ AND/OR ‘O’ – The Huskies knew coming into the game that they were not going to apply a great deal of fullcourt pressure like they did in the first meeting Jan. 16 at Gampel Pavilion. Auriemma said the team is too tired and banged up right now. Instead, UConn relied on its halfcourt defense, both zone and man-to-man, to shut down Notre Dame.

The Irish shot just 31.1 percent from the field, including 29.0 percent in the second half. They were 4-of-14 from 3-point range. And the starters combined for only 20 points (6-of-34 FG; .176).

“I knew we were going to have to win it with our half-court defense and I have a lot of confidence in our halfcourt defense,’’ Auriemma said. “Once we made a concerted effort to keep the ball in front of us and not go for steals and gamble and let them get inside of us I thought that kind of changed everything. It stopped their rebounding. It stopped their dribble penetration. We didn’t foul. That’s kind of our philosophy on defense … Keep them in front of you. Make them shoot a jump shot with a hand up and put pressure on them with your offense.’’

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS – With Tina Charles passing Nykesha Sales to become UConn’s all-time leading scorer with 2,184 points, the orchestrated layup that gave the injured Sales the record at Villanova Feb. 24, 1998 can finally be put to rest for good. The infamous hoop actually popped into Auriemma’s head Monday. “It did enter my mind during the game, to be honest with you,’’ Auriemma said. “One of the few times that something like that has ever entered my mind. And, you know what, I wasn’t even thinking about who’s record she was going to break. I just knew she was breaking Rebecca Lobo’s rebounding record. But I didn’t even think about it. But now that I see some of the people asking me questions here, it reminds me about how (mad) I was when the whole Nykesha Sales thing (happened).’’ … Charles is the second player in team history to lead the Huskies in scoring and rebounding at the same time. Chris Gedney, who graduated in 1981, was the first with 1,409 points and 691 rebounds. … Angella Holgate, Charles’ mother, was seated in the first row behind the UConn bench on this special night. … The UCLA men’s basketball team saw its NCAA record 88-game winning streak ended at the Joyce Center Jan. 19, 1974. Auriemma told the Huskies about that game during shootaround Monday. “I said these guys have in their mind there’s a reputation of luck of the Irish,’’ Auriemma said. “That the Irish do great things on their home court against great teams. I said, `But it’s going to take a little more than luck of the Irish to beat us.’ I was a huge UCLA fan growing up. I probably loved UCLA more than any other team. I would’ve sat on UCLA’s bench for four years and not played a second rather than play anywhere else in the country. So I still hate Notre Dame for beating them.’’ … It was the sixth sell-out of the season for Notre Dame and its 12th all-time. “We love it,’’ Greene said. “We love having everyone against us. We’re the No. 1 team in the nation and you have Notre Dame talking about being the streak-enders. We see sellout crowds all the time and we love the idea that people are coming here thinking, `We’re going to see Connecticut lose tonight.’ That’s the time you depend on each other the most. You can’t count on anyone else. In this kind of atmosphere, we’re at our best.’’ … Auriemma was very clear that he has no plans to red-shirt any of the incoming freshmen next season. “We expect all of them to play,’’ Auriemma said. “The only question mark of the freshmen coming in is whether or not Michala is going to be 100 percent from her knee surgery. If she is, I don’t anticipate … Heck, that’s the one place we need players. If I was inclined to redshirt someone I’d be more inclined to do it with a guard rather than a post player. But we just don’t have the numbers. Those aren’t things I go into the season thinking about, they just evolve.’’ … Recently hired football coach Brian Kelly addressed the crowd at halftime.

LOOKING AHEAD – The Huskies (30-0) will not play again until the Big East tournament quarterfinals Sunday at the XL Center at 2 p.m. Auriemma gave them today and Wednesday off. They will have a light practice Thursday before getting back at it again in earnest Friday.

Auriemma said the team needs mental rest as much as anything right now.

“It’s going to be good,’’ Greene said. “It’s been a long, long season. It’s been a tough season. People don’t think that it’s been hard on our bodies, but it is because we practice more than we play and practices are hard. Very hard. This is time for us to regroup and get healthy. Just get mentally prepared for this part of the season because this is the most important part.’’

BY THE NUMBERS

4 – Made FGs in 23 attempts by Skylar Diggins vs. UConn

8.9 – Career rebounding average for Charles in 143 games

13 – Points needed by Maya Moore to hit 2,000

15.3 – Career scoring average for Charles

Rich

You can add Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw to ever-growing Tina Charles Fan Club. Georgetown coach Terri Williams-Flournoy might have been short with her comments after Charles torched the Hoyas for 33 points and 15 rebounds Saturday.
But McGraw had a lot to say following practice this afternoon. And why not, Charles finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 70-46 victory over the Irish at Gampel Pavilion Jan. 16. She needs just 13 points and five rebounds at a sold-out Joyce Center tomorrow night to become UConn’s career leader in scoring and rebounding.
“She passed (Diana) Taurasi (on the scoring list),’’ McGraw said. “I didn’t think anybody was going to pass Taurasi. That is really remarkable. I, honestly, would’ve voted for her for Most Improved Player in the league as well as best player in the league. I just think she got that much better from last year. I think it’s amazing. We looked at tape from last year to this year. She’s really gotten a lot better. I’m really impressed with her. She’s not turning the ball over as much. And she’s just so much more efficient, really efficient. She’s scoring well. Her field goal percentage is good. She’s improved her range a little bit. Now you’ve got to guard her out away from the basket. And she’s playing with more of an intensity I think every minute.’’
McGraw even joked about using a gimmick defense in an attempt to try to contain Charles.
“We’re thinking about a box-and-1, with the box on her,’’ McGraw said. “I don’t think that’s going to work either. Maybe a triangle-and-2.’’

McGraw and the Irish are, obviously, hoping for a far different outcome in the rematch. They trailed 17-2 out of the gate last month and by as many as 26 in the first half.
Notre Dame established season-lows in scoring, points in a half (19, first), made field goals (18), field goal percentage (.269) and also committed 19 turnovers. Leading scorer Skylar Diggins, who is averaging 14.3, was held to six points – tying her season-low – on 2-of-13 shooting in 34 minutes.
“Just our attitude when we came out … We looked like we didn’t think we could win, I thought,’’ McGraw said. “I don’t know if (the game) should be out of our minds. I think we need to remember how poorly we came out and just have a different attitude. And I’ll be pleased if we come out with a good attitude. That’s something that has to be there from the tap.’’
Said senior guard Melissa Lechlitner: “That was pretty embarrassing for us. We didn’t play like we know how we can play. Individually, no one stepped up. And as a team we just kind of threw the game away. So it’s really important for us just to prove ourselves a little bit and show that we can play with them.’’

Notre Dame held its Senior Night last Tuesday against Marquette rather than tomorrow against the Huskies. The reason was because the game is being aired nationally on ESPN2. But Lechlitner thought it would have been fun to hold it with UConn in the house.
“It would’ve been, but I think with the TV game and everything it kind of interfered,’’ Lechlitner said. “So I think that was pretty much why we had to do it.’’

Senior Lindsay Schrader scored a team-high 12 points and played 24 minutes Saturday in her second game back after missing two with a sprained left ankle. She suffered the injury on a drive to the basket against DePaul Feb. 14.
Schrader, who continues to experience soreness, is averaging 14.5 points (13-of-20 FG) and 4.0 rebounds since her return. She is currently tied for second on the team in scoring (11.6) and is third in rebounding (5.4) in 25.3 minutes.
“Just getting her back it just makes such a difference for us because she’s a presence for us emotionally,’’ McGraw said. “Just having her out there I think is good for the rest of the team. So we’re happy to have her back. She’s not 100 percent yet, but it’s great to have her out there.’’

There is a strong likelihood that UConn-bound recruit Michala Johnson, a 6-foot-3 post player from Lombard, Ill., will be in attendance tomorrow.

Rich