It seemed a bit odd watching South Florida, normally one of the nation's highest scoring teams, contest to milk the shot clock. Shortening the game was the only way South Florida coach Jose Fernandez thought he could play with the Huskies. Considering how young the Bulls are in the backcourt, it's easy to understand his decision.

I made it a point of asking Fernandez if it is difficult watching a local kid like Tiffany Hayes go off for 22 points against his team. He spoke in glowing terms about Hayes, a player he recruited.

"We recruited Tiffany for a long time," Fernandez said. "I have seen her play since middle school but it is tough to turn down the best team in the country and the playing time she was going to get, the opportunity to win national championships."

I asked Fernandez what he remembered about Hayes, especially the first couple of times he saw her play.

"She played hard, she made plays, she is athletic and played with poise. She is not scared to take the big shot. Not only that, look at what she did lat year as a freshmen when there were some injuries and the amount of time that she played, she's not scared to take big shots and make them."

A few notes from the game:
Maya Moore passed Shea Ralph for the No. 10 spot on UConn's career scoring list and greeting the accomplishment with an indifferent shrug which is no surprise to those who know her.

Kaili McLaren turned an ankle in Sunday's practice and did not play. She spent part of the first half having UConn training Rosemary Ragle working on the ankle leading to the thought that she might get into the game in the second half. She did not.

Caroline Doty was iffy to play because of the flu but toughed it out and played 14 minutes.


Now it is time for the hype to begin for Thursday's game against Cincinnati which will feature the return of former star forward and long-time assistant coach Jamelle Elliott to Gampel Pavilion - this time on the opposing squad.