If there was any doubt that the trip to Tampa was all business, the fact that UConn did not arrive in their team hotel until around 11 p.m. and play on heading to South Bend once they are done speaking with us needy media folks.

There will be no time for sightseeing or basking to the hot Florida sun (even if it has been overcast more often than not). UConn is here to take care of business to set up a chance to earn a share of the Big East regular-season title on Monday.

The good news is all 10 healthy Huskies were going through pre-game drills so it should be all hands on deck (except for Brianna Banks) after a very good South Florida team.


"This is not the easiest way to finish the schedule, at South Florida and at Notre Dame, two of the better teams in the league but maybe that is good, maybe that is exactly what we need going into the Big East tournament is two really difficult road games," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Certainly our younger guys are going to have to grow up quickly between now and Monday.

"Last year they were difficult to play. They have a big kid (Inga Orekhova) in the middle, they really shoot the ball well from the perimeter and Jose has done a fabulous job with that team. The one positive is we are not going to be down there long enough to be sidetracked with being in Tampa We get in, play the game and leave. We want to hurry up and get out of Tampa so we can get out of South Bend as soon as possible."

If UConn beats South Florida and Notre Dame wins at Providence this afternoon it's pretty simple on Monday. If Notre Dame wins the Fighting Irish are regular-season champs and will be the top seed in the Big East tournament. If UConn wins, the Huskies and Fighting Irish will be co-champions but UConn will be the top seed. The tiebreaker actually involves Marquette and Providence. Since this is the first time Big East teams play a pair of home and home series, that is what will decide the top seed. UConn will be 1-0 against every team except Notre Dame and Marquette while Notre Dame's second home and home was against Providence. With Marquette guaranteed to finish ahead of Providence in the league standings, UConn will earn the No. 1 seed.