HARTFORD - It's a scenario no coach ever wants to deal with, especially when results, statistics and virtually everything else about a game are meaningless. When junior point guard Lorin Dixon lay face down on the baseline after taking a hit on a lay-up attempt in the opening minutes of Monday night's exhibition against Vanguard, the XL Center crowd hushed in suspense - they feared the worst as Dixon rolled over, clutching at her knees to signal the possibility of a prolonged absence.
Fortunately for Dixon and the Huskies, it was later revealed that she had merely sustained a hamstring strain on her left side. While her status will be uncertain for Saturday's regular season opener against Northeastern at Gampel Pavillion, head coach Geno Auriemma knew immediately that hers was not the kind of injury that ended teammate Caroline Doty's season a year prior. Assistant coach Shea Ralph had also fallen victim to the dreaded ACL tear in her senior season, ending her chance to help the Huskies to a repeat title. While it wasn't the case with his 5-foot-4 starting point guard this season, Auriemma acknowledged that his team will be forced to alter their identity as she heals.
"I saw it was her hamstring," Auriemma said. "You can tell when it's a knee and when it's not. I'm assuming things like that last more than two or three days, so I don't know whether she's going to play Saturday or not. But, come Wednesday and Thursday's practice, we'll throw a bunch of people out there and see what happens."
Auriemma hinted at Doty serving some time at the point with Dixon out. Sophomore Tiffany Hayes could see time there as well, though both players are much more suited to fill the shooting guard role.
Dixon, a native of Springfield Gardens, N.Y., had been promoted to starter after team captain and All-American Renee Montgomery graduated in May. She connected on her only shot attempt - a three-pointer from the corner - before heading to the training room. She emerged at the 12:41-mark, much to the delight of the 7,352 in attendance, but stayed in her warm-ups for the remainder of the contest. By the time Auriemma had pulled all the starters late in the second half, she was on her feet cheering them on.
Better outing from 3
Beginning with Dixon's make on the game's first 3-point attempt, the Huskies were much better from beyond the arc Monday after an abysmal 7-for-29 effort in their pre-season opener against the College of St. Rose. They finished the game with a 15-for-34 mark, good for a percentage of .441. Maya Moore finished 4-for-8 from 3 and Doty, who was 1-for-7 in the first outing, was 3-for-8 herself. Hayes also chipped in three 3-pointers and freshman Kelly Farris notched a couple of triples off the bench. One of the country's deadliest long-range teams a year ago, the Huskies will look for improved efficiency from the three-point line as the season kicks into gear this weekend.
Charles with the assist
As a pint-sized Husky fan struggled to finish the race to put on a regular-sized Husky uniform and make a lay-up during a first half timeout, Charles swooped in and helped him to what UConn PA announcer John Tuite ruled a draw.
The quotable Geno Auriemma
On his team's just edging out Vanguard in the rebound category: "And we outrebounded them by one, so that's a big stretch for us. 'Cause I thought at halftime, were gonna get outrebounded, but we came on strong in the second half."
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