Jen Rizzotti is no stranger to playing UConn as the head coach of the Hartford women's basketball program. However, Sunday at noon will mark the first time she matches wits with her college coach Geno Auriemma inside Gampel Pavilion.

Even though Rizzotti's No. 21 is hanging in the Huskies of Honor, Auriemma doesn't anticipate one of his all-time favorite players being too overcome with emotion during the NCAA first-round tournament game.

"I think when Jen comes back there will be a lot of moments when she will get emotional," Auriemma said. "Connecticut basketball started with Jen and Rebecca (Lobo), with Jen and Jamelle (Elliott). That is where it started."

This will be the sixth time Rizzotti has led Hartford into the NCAA tournament but it has been a bit of a rugged road. The Hawks opened the season 1-9 and ended the regular season with a losing record before catching fire at the perfect time. Hartford upset top-seeded Maryland-Baltimore County in the America East semifinals before winning at second-seeded Boston University to claim an automatic spot into the NCAA tournament.

"She told me at the beginning of the year that she really liked these kids, she really thought they were going to be good," Auriemma said. "She enjoyed coaching them and then when it started the way it did, I think she was a little surprised. I know for sure, she didn't expect that."


BUCK HOPES TO RETURN TO PRACTICE ON TUESDAY
The waiting has been the toughest part for Heather Buck, who has missed the last five games with a stress reaction in her left ankle. But the sophomore forward/center believes she could be back at practice on Tuesday. It will be her first practice since late February.

"As far as I know I am going tomorrow," Buck said. "Hopefully I can really come back and get things right from the start, be ready whenever Coach (Auriemma) calls on me."