While I can understand that emotions are running high among UConn fans right now as they try to absorb the full impact of Elena Delle Donne's decision not to play for the Huskies, let's keep in mind that the cupboard is anything to empty in Storrs.

When the preseason polls start coming out I fully expect UConn to be ranked first or second at the worst if voters opt to pick Stanford ahead of the Huskies. Just look at the other 2008 Final Four teams for a second.

Candace Parker, Alexis Hornbuckle, Shannon Bobbitt and Nicky Anosike were among the first 16 picks in April's WNBA draft. Alberta Auguste was also taken in the draft leaving two-time defending national champion Tennessee with serious holes to fill.

Sylvia Fowles, Quianna Chaney and Erica White are among eight seniors who graduated at LSU.

Stanford didn't suffer the quantity of losses that Tennessee and LSU did but it will not be easy replacing what Candice Wiggins brought to the table.

UConn is bringing back three All-Americans in senior guard Renee Montgomery, junior center Tina Charles and sophomore wing Maya Moore. Explosive small forward Kalana Greene, who saw her junior season cut short with a serious knee injury, will also be back along with role players Kaili McLaren, Lorin Dixon and Meghan Gardler. Add in incoming freshmen Tiffany Hayes, Caroline Doty and Heather Buck are the Huskies are loaded and will be a run at another Final Four appearance and perhaps even the program's sixth national championship will be celebrated in April.

I have no intention of diving into the speculation game here regarding Delle Donne's decision first to leave UConn abruptly in June after spending two days on campus and then to opt not to return to Storrs. I have left multiple messages with Elena during this process and when she is ready to talk, I will be ready to listen. The fact is that she was not ready to make the commitment to the UConn program so her decision not to enroll in school will ultimately be in the best interest of both her and the Huskies.

In less than two months fans will be packing Gampel Pavilion for "First Night" festivities. Exhibitions games will soon follow and then the regular season will kick off. It promises to be a special year for UConn.

From a personnel standpoint, the 6-foot-5 Delle Donne would have added some much needed size to the 2008-09 Huskies. Yes, Delle Donne is a perimeter player but she has proven she can play inside. The biggest question surrounding UConn is will the Huskies have enough size in the post. If UConn coach Geno Auriemma opts to start Charles and McLaren, there will be a lack of options in the post off the bench. If Buck can give the Huskies 10-15 solid minutes a game, that will be a huge help but it will be interesting to see if the Huskies can deal with teams with a powerful post presence (Stanford comes to mind with Jayne Appel and Kayla Pedersen returning while Nneka Ogwumike and Sarah Boothe are coming into the program). But the other side of the equation is how many teams can handle a potential UConn lineup of Charles-Moore-Greene-Hayes-Montgomery that is a group that may be more athletic than any group Auriemma has ever put out on the floor in his Hall of Fame career at UConn.

For those fans in the dumps over this turn of events, may I suggest focusing on the performances of former Huskies Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi for the undefeated U.S. team at the Olympic games. Another ex-UConn star Svetlana Abrosimova has helped Russia remain undefeated in the Olympics while future UConn center Jessica McCormack is receiving valuable experience playing for the New Zealand team in the Olympics.

Sure, a future star has left the UConn program but the future of the program is still rather bright.

If reading this entry doesn't soothe your aanxiety, may I suggest placing a paper bag over your nose and mouth and breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. The 2008-09 season has not been canceled and life will go on.

Another item worth mentioning if that UConn coach Geno Auriemma will be in Dallas on Sept. 8 playing in the inaugural 4Kay Golf Classic to raise money for the WBCA/Kay Yow Cancer Fund. A host of women's basketball coaches including Yow and Tennessee's Pat Summitt will also be competing along with several LPGA stars.