Game time is still 54 minutes away because of "Senior Night" festivities and all is relatively quiet in the XL Center.

Looking around, there is not one visible sign in honor of UConn's three seniors Renee Montgomery, Cassie Kerns and Tahirah Williams which is a bit a surprise. I am expecting to see the creativity that UConn fans are known for to be on display before Montgomery, Kerns and Williams make the emotional walk out onto the court along with their parents to greet UConn coach Geno Auriemma.

The starting lineup is up on the board and as expected, Maya Moore and Tiffany Hayes are out to make room for Kerns and Williams to make their first career starts. True to his word, Auriemma said he would sit the two youngest players in his normal starting five. It will end a run of 58 straight starts for Moore. Seton Hall's starting lineup consists of Noteisha Womack, Ashley Booker, Shantel Brown, Nicole Emery and Jadis Rhodin.



An interesting stat brought to my attention by Carl Adamec of the Manchester Journal-Inquirer is that even though UConn coach Geno Auriemma and Seton Hall coach Phyllis Mangina both were hired in 1985, Auriemma has won almost as many games (685 and counting) than Mangina has coached (686).

There will be a surprise duo signing the national anthem. I am not allowed to divulge their names but suffice it to say no introductions will be needed.

The clock is now approaching 28 minutes until the ceremony honoring Montgomery, Kerns, Williams and senior student manager Matt Gade of Wallingford.

UPDATED (7:30 P.M.) The table with the framed jerseys was just brought out. The clock will stop in about 30 seconds to start the ceremony. I saw my first Senior Night sign under the basket saying "All the Way with Renee, Tahirah and Cassie."

UPDATED (7:41 P.M.) Kerns came out with her parents, Williams was accompanied by her parents and twin brother Isaiah (a receiver at the University of Maryland). Montgomery just came out with her parents and a niece (who was held in UConn coach Geno Auriemma's arms during the photo op). As expected, the majority of the fans in the house are standing to applaud one of the winningest senior classes in UConn history. Among the non-seniors, freshman Heather Buck appears to be most emotional of the group.

The game clock is moving again, down to 7:20

LAST PRE-GAME UPDATE (XXX)
The house was brought down when sophomore Maya Moore and junior Kaili McLaren come out to sing the national anthem. When they finished, the UConn team rushed to embrace them with Tina Charles leaping into the arms of McLaren. They are the first active UConn players to sign the anthem since Stacy Hansmeyer in 2000.