For the second time in as many years, the No.1 women's basketball team takes on No. 2-seeded Stanford in the Final Four game played Sunday at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The Huskies' determination to return to the semifinals began after the buzzer went off last year in Tampa, Fla. As the team sat in the locker room, head coach Geno Auriemma told his players not to make excuses about the injuries of Mel Thomas and Kalana Greene as the reason for losing, Greene said.
"Not playing in the Final Four last year because of an injury was, you know, it was tough," Greene said. "But we're not going to be ranting and raving or celebrating because we got to the Final Four this year."
"You know, I think last year, we forgot to take care of business once we got to Tampa," Greene said.
The loss came as a shock to many UConn fans and media. The players sat in their lockers, tears welling in their eyes, as they spoke to the press.
With that memory fresh in their mind, they returned more determined than ever.
"The focus is completely different," Greene said. "You know, if you make it to the national championship game and you lose by one, you still... we still wouldn't have reached our goal."
"We're excited; we're not taking anything for granted, but we ultimately want to get our goal of winning a national championship and that's what Connecticut's about," Greene said.
This year, Greene will get to help her teammates instead of watching from the sidelines. Tina Charles, too, enters the game with a different mentality.
"I believe the past two years, I probably would have taken it more personal when I can't help my team win, I can't score, I can't get rebounds or blocked shots," Charles said. "But, you know, I still have to have that energy from the bench."
In fact, Auriemma said several times in Trenton that Charles has grown up from what he has seen in the past few games and was able to stay in the game mentally rather than giving up.
That will prove crucial, as Stanford center Jayne Appel put up a 46-point performance against Iowa State to propel her team into the Final Four. That marked the third-most points ever scored in the NCAA Tournament.
"It's a tremendous honor, but I couldn't have done it without the other four players on the court," Appel said in a postgame press conference. "They're the people that have to get me the ball and take care of the ball bringing it up the court."
"I recruited Jayne Appel as hard as anyone can recruit someone," Auriemma said. "I love that kid; I loved her as a high school player, and I love her even more as a college player."
"Her ability around the basket is second to none," he added.
The Cardinal's season has not been all glory. The team's starting point guard, J.J. Hones, tore her ACL in November.
"I feel like our team really has bought into their roles," said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. "They are excited to win and do whatever it takes."
"If Jayne has four points or 46 points, she is the same person. She sets an example for people," Vanderveer said. "I'm thrilled for these young women and that they get the experience of going to the Final Four; I love going there, too."
That feeling seemed contagious. Renee Montgomery said that she was excited to be able to face Stanford again, as well as for the experience and the teammates that she is going with to St. Louis.
Maya Moore will return to her home state. According to Moore, her family will either be in the stands or watching the game on TV.
"It's a very 'made-for-TV' game," Moore said. "Both teams have worked so hard to be in this position that we're in. Both Stanford and our team, we played some great games to get into the Final Four. I think we're both on a role. It's going to be a battle. It's like our test to see if we really are better than we were last year."
As for the pressure of title or bust, Auriemma said that the goal is always to win a national championship. In fact, this is UConn's 10th Final Four appearance.
The difference is that the ultimate goal is more realistic this season.
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