Sources indicated that there was not a game at Gampel Pavilion today (it couldn't be confirmed because somebody placed some heavy-duty white paper over the windows looking into the arena.

However, there was no lack of action.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who celebrated his 55th birthday, kicked things off by waxing poetic about the changing times in the sport he has devoted his life to.

On the same day he was named the WBCA Coach of the Year for a record fifth time, Auriemma was asked to ponder what life must be like today for his foil after Tennessee's stunning loss to Ball State in the first round of the NCAA tournament ending Pat Summitt's streak of Sweet 16 appearances at 27.

"That is a reminder to everybody that as good as this is, as much fun as this is don't think you have exclusive rights on this because other people are entitled to some of this too," Auriemma said. "She wants to kill herself. That is how any coach would feel. Harry's (Villanova coach Harry Perretta) is the one who would go out to Utah and say 'I am glad I am going home.' I talked to Doug Bruno at DePaul, they lost to san Diego State and he is distraught. Here is a guy who lost last year in the first round so you can imagine the level of frustration the further up you go and the more you as a coach count on it. I remember when we lost to Iowa State, it was like members of your family had died. You say 'something is wrong there that we lost a game we weren't supposed to lose that we don't generally lose.' That is a bad way to go through life I think. When do you enjoy the good things that happen if all you are doing is trying to avoid the bad things."

Both UConn and Florida, who will meet at 7:11 p.m. Tuesday night in the second round, are using Tennessee's loss and Baylor's narrow escape against Texas San Antonio as motivation.

The Florida players and coaches believe Ball State proved that even the most glorious programs can be knocked off their pedestal and would love to repeat the feat.

The UConn camp is determined to make sure they don't follow the lead of Tennessee and Baylor and come out firing on Tuesday. There is one little difference, Tennessee lost 10 games in the regular season while UConn has yet to lose.

There will be on this story in Tuesday's edition of the Register as well as a story on Florida's coach Amanda Butler, who played for the Gators when Florida lost to UConn on Dec. 8, 1991 before a crowd of 2,217 at Gampel Pavilion. Playing on a team featuring future pro stars Bridget Pettis and Merlakia Jones, Butler finished with 11 points and two steals while playing at 40 minutes in a 71-48 loss. Wendy Davis was the UConn star with eight 3-pointers and 32 points.

The other story will be a look at Florida freshman Azania Stewart who just 29 weeks ago had one of her kidneys removed but will be out there battling UConn's physical post players with a berth in the regionals on the line.

I have to say I can't remember a more enthusiastic reception from a group of players than I received when I walked into the Florida locker room to speak with Stewart. It just shows you what the unknown will do for you. If they knew me like the UConn players, they probably would have been ducking for cover.