Part of the deal that comes with joining the UConn program is that basketball dominates the majority of the 12 months for the latest batch of core players.

There are preseason workouts, pick-up games and then the workouts during the season, games, runs deep into the NCAA tournament. After a little time to catch their breath, the players are back usually enrolled in summer school with more workouts to come. There tends to be chances to play for various USA Basketball teams.

When they graduate, their summers are spent in the WNBA. In the fall and winter they are playing overseas. Since they are living a life most people would take in a heartbeat, there are few complaints about this "all basketball, all the time" lifestyle. But there is a price to pay. Time away from their friends and family can be difficult and of course there is the toll that playing basketball year round - especially at the professional level - takes on their body.

Connecticut Sun teammates Kelly Faris and Morgan Tuck actually had some time to tend to family business and in the words of Tuck, "I got to live a normal life."

Tuck was working her way back from her latest knee surgery and didn't play overseas. Faris played a total of five games with Bnot Hertzeliya in Israel. Faris averaged 13.8 points, 4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals on a team including fellow WNBA players Imani Boyette, Tayler Hill and Keisha Hampton.

The rest of the time she spent back home. She was able to be there as one of her sisters got married and another one gave birth to her second son. Of course, Faris worked at her game.
  
"A lot of the same stuff I usually do but worked really hard to ball handling, being able to handle
on-ball pressure just so I could add a little bit more to the game and be more more versatile," Faris said.

In her time playing in Israel, she got to play point guard and it was an experience she found to be beneficial.

"It was good for me to get a lot of experience," Faris said. "It was a good league, it is a competitive league so I actually played against Jas (Thomas) twice which was good for me feedback wise just being at the point, we guarded each other and played against each other so that was helpful to hang out with her to see the things I needed to work on, the things that were good so there are a lot of players from the (WNBA) in Israel so you are always playing against somebody good. It was fun to get the ball back in hands and be the one controlling things."

The team Faris played on finished third during the regular season while the Maccabi Ashdod team featuring former UConn star Tiffany Hayes won the title.

Faris is hoping that her work at the point guard will translate into playing for the Sun for a fifth season in a row.

"You never know what is going to happen that is why you have to come in every day and do everything you can. don't necessarily assume you are going to be on the team or you are going to have this spot or that spot which is my mindset every year," Faris said. "I don't ever assume that I am on the team. I am going to come in, give everything I can to prove you are making the right choice by keeping me."

While Faris will once again have to prove she belongs on the roster, Tuck's spot is secure. Certainly Sun coach and general manager Curt Miller has no intentions of cutting the player taken third overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft. With the trade of veteran forward Camille Little and a torn Achilles' tendon sidelining All-Star forward Chiney Ogwumike for the season, Tuck and fellow 2016 first-round pick Jonquel Jones figure to be go-to options in the post.

Tuck, while unable to play basketball during the winter, was able to work on parts of her game.

"I have worked on shooting., that is the one thing I could do consistently throughout the rehab
process and that is something I've wanted to improve on anyways." Tuck said. "I worked on some ball handling and making sure my shot is more consistent last year.

"For me as an undersized 4 (power forward), I know I can make 3s but I want to make them way more consistently, that will just expand your game and to me that will make your game easier when you can hit 3s instead of having to drive, push through people so that is something I really need to make sure is better this year."

While there is plenty of experience at the guard position, it is a different story for the post players.

Alyssa Thomas is the frontcourt player with the longest continuous tenure. When Kayla Pedersen reports to camp, she's have 89 games of experience with the Sun but she was not in the WNBA a season ago. Rookie Brionna Jones joins newcomers (to the Sun)  Lynetta Kizer, Danielle Adams, Reshanda Gray and Jennifer Hamson as post players looking to make the team. The younger players will benefit with Pedersen, Kizer and Adams missing the early portion of training camp due to their overseas commitments although the team announced today that Adams has reported leading to No. 13 overall pick Shayla Cooper being waived. There is also Shekinna Stricklen, who is more of a wing even if she has the size to play in the post.

"We have (three) more coming in, they are still overseas and I think we are going to be good," Tuck said. "It is weird because the only returning posts are me and JJ (Jones) but it is a challenge but I think it is going to be fun. we are going to have a good group that all have to work really hard because we don't have a vet like Camille Little so it will be fun and exciting."

Tuck had a recent knee procedure but it was more of a cleaning out deal so she feels as healthy as possible. She hopes to be able to practice without restriction in the coming days.

"I don't like that I've had as many (knee surgeries) as I have had but I am feeling good and I feel like everything I had to do has worked out and this is the best I've felt in a long time," Tuck said. "I have put a lot of work in during this offseason to make sure I will be ready to go for the season. I am still in my time frame for return from my surgery in September so I think it was needed, my knees feel great.

"Every day this week I've added more and hopefully this weekend I will be a full go in practice.
(Wednesday) I got to do some 1 on 1. I am rusty but it feels good to be out there competing with my
team. I didn't want to miss any training camp but missing a few days at the beginning isn't a big
deal. I am excited to get going and have fun."

Tuck was a regular at UConn women's basketball games and even filled in as the color commentator on the radio for a few UConn games when work conflicts kept Debbie Fiske from making it to some of the road games.

"Trying to enjoy my life," Tuck said of her basketball-less winter. :I got to travel a little bit I got to go home a lot more and just make the best out of the situation I am in. I think it was a really good time, I got to live a normal life so it was good."

It's a foregone conclusion that former UConn star Breanna Stewart will become the fourth former Husky to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year award as she is currently sixth in the league in scoring, second in rebounding and third in blocked shots. However, since the middle of July no rookie has been putting up better numbers than Moriah Jefferson, Stewart's former college teammate.

I actually began to research how the rookies have fared since July 12 for a story I wrote yesterday about former Hillhouse High Bria Holmes agreeing to play in Israel this winter because Holmes has been one of the most productive rookies in the second half of the season. While crunching the numbers, it is impossible to overlook how well Jefferson has been playing since that date.

She is leading all rookies in points, assists, steals, field goals attempted, field goals made, 3-point percentage and tied with Stewart for the top spot in 3-pointers made since July 12. Perhaps most impressive of all, she tops all rookies with an average of 21.7 points per 40 minutes. Much of it has to do with opportunity since injuries have limited the options of retiring San Antonio head coach Dan Hughes. As a result, Jefferson played at least 30 minutes in just nine of the first 17 games of the season but has played at least 30 minutes in 11 of the last 15 games.

Looking at these numbers it does appear as if better days are ahead for the Connecticut Sun as Jonquel Jones and Courtney Williams rank among the top five rookies in points scored per 40 minutes since July 12. Jones also leads all rookies with a 53.5 field-goal percentage over that span. I didn't include Morgan Tuck on this list because she missed the last six games but if I did include her, she would rank third in points per 40 minutes (20.8), third in field-goal percentage (45.7) and 3-point percentage (38.5).

PT/40                 REB/40          FG PCT.            3-PT PCT.
Jefferson 21.7    Boyette 12.5  Jones 53.5          Jefferson 42.1
Powers    21.4    Stewart 9.8    Boyette 48.7       Copper 40.0
Jones   19.3        Jones 9.2       Powers 43.2        Jones 36.4
Stewart   19.0     Powers 8.3    Holmes 43.1       Powers 36.1
Williams  17.9    Williams 7.5 Jefferson 42.4    Stewart 33.3
Copper    17.0     Copper 7.3
Holmes    15.3
Boyette   13.6

START TIMES FINALIZED
When UConn's schedule was released earlier this month, the times of four of the road games were listed as "to be announced."

Well, it is time to fill in the blanks as the final start time was announced today when the LSU women's basketball Twitter page reported that the Nov. 20 game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN.

The times of the three conference road games previously listed as TBA have been updated on UConn's official schedule as the Jan. 17 game at Tulsa will begin at 8 p.m., the Feb. 7 game at Cincinnati will tip shortly after 7 p.m. and the Feb. 18 game at Tulane also has an 8 p.m. listed tip time. Also, the Dec. 11 game at Kansas State will be televised by Fox Sports 1 and the Big Ten Network had the Dec. 21 contest at Nebraska.

Here's the updated schedule
2016-17 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Site TV Time
NOVEMBER
Tue. 1 IUP (exhibition) Gampel Pavilion. 7 p.m.
Sun. 6 PACE (exhibition) XL Center, 1 p.m.
REGULAR SEASON
Mon. 14 at Florida State Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Fla. ESPN2 6 p.m.
Thu. 17 BAYLOR Gampel Pavilion,  SNY 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 20 at LSU Maravich Center, Baton Rouge, La. 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Tue. 22 DAYTON Gampel Pavilion,  SNY 7 p.m.
Tue. 29 CHATTANOOGA XL Center, SNY 7 p.m.
DECEMBER
Thu. 1 DEPAUL Gampel Pavilion, SNY 7 p.m.
JIMMY V CLASSIC, HOSTED BY THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Sun. 4 vs. Texas Mohegan Sun Arena,  ESPN 4 p.m.
Wed. 7 at Notre Dame Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Ind. ESPN2 7 p.m.
Sun. 11 at Kansas State Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan. Fox Sports 1 2 p.m.
Mon. 19 OHIO STATE XL Center, CBS-SN 7 p.m.
Wed. 21 at Nebraska Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska Big Ten Network 9 p.m.
Thu. 29 at Maryland XFINITY Center, College Park, Md. ESPN2 6 p.m.
JANUARY
Sun. 1 at UCF CFE Arena, Orlando, Fla. SNY 1 p.m.
Wed. 4 EAST CAROLINA XL Center SNY 7 p.m.
Tue. 10 USF XL Center, CBS-SN 7 p.m.
Sat. 14 at SMU Moody Coliseum, Dallas, Texas SNY 3 p.m.
Tue. 17 at Tulsa Reynolds Coliseum, Tulsa, Okla. SNY 8 p.m.
Sun. 22 TULANE Gampel Pavilion, ESPN2 1 p.m.
Tue. 24 at East Carolina Minges Coliseum, Greenville, N.C. SNY 7 p.m.
Sat. 28 HOUSTON XL Center, SNY noon
FEBRUARY
Wed. 1 at Temple Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pa. SNY 7 p.m.
Sun. 5 TULSA Gampel Pavilion, SNY 1 p.m.
Tue. 7 at Cincinnati First Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio SNY 7 p.m.
Sat. 11 SMU Gampel Pavilion,  SNY 2 p.m.
Mon. 13 SOUTH CAROLINA Gampel Pavilion, ESPN2 9 p.m.
Sat. 18 at Tulane Devlin Fieldhouse, New Orleans, La. SNY 8 p.m.
Wed. 22 TEMPLE XL Center, SNY 7 p.m.
Sat. 25 MEMPHIS Gampel Pavilion,  SNY 4 p.m.
Mon. 27 at USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Fla. ESPN2 7 p.m.
2017 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP, MOHEGAN SUN ARENA, UNCASVILLE, CONN.
Fri. Mar. 3 - Mon. Mar. 6 TBA TBD

The month without basketball games to play took some time for former UConn star Morgan Tuck to get used to.

Tuck, a rookie forward with the Connecticut Sun, did watch plenty of basketball during the Olympics especially when her former college teammates Breanna Stewart and Kia Nurse were suiting up for the United States and Canada respectively. She also had a chance to return to Grand Rapids, the city where she lived until she was five, as the keynote speaker for the Youth Inspires Hometown luncheon.

"I went around, spoke to the kids and a luncheon for scholarship for kids going to college," Tuck said before the Sun's win over defending WNBA champion Minnesota on Friday. "It was really cool being able to do that and do that. They really appreciate it a lot, I received a lot of love and support even though I didn't necessarily grow up there, I moved from there when I was five but all the people that where there were really excited."

Seeing Stewart help the U.S. win a gold medal and Nurse finish as the leading scorer for Canada was special for Tuck.

"When you watch the Olympics and see your country play and it was fun to think 'I know them, I have a relationship with them,'" Tuck said. "I think it is really awesome to see them on TV. For Stewie to go and get a gold medal, that was a dream that she had and it was cool that is happened."

Another thing that recently happened was Tuck's older sister Taylor was named the head girls' basketball coach at Dover High school in Delaware.

"I think that is great," Tuck said. "It is going to be a big challenge for her. I think she will do well, she is 23, she is young and can connect with her players. I think it is a great opportunity for her and I think she really deserves it. I knew she wanted stay around basketball so she is going to be able to coach and go to grad school at the same time so it was good."

Speaking of challenges, Tuck will be heading to South Korea after the end of the WNBA season to play for Shinhan Bank of the WKBL.

"I'm excited," Tuck said. "I don't know a whole lot about South Korea yet, I am trying to learn more but it is going to be a great experience. I have never lived outside the country before so it will be exciting."

Tuck was the third overall pick in the WKBL, one spot ahead of former UConn teammate Kiah Stokes and two spots ahead of Sun teammate Jonquel Jones. Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas was the No. 1 overall selection.

Finally, since Tuck was a part of a talented three-player recruiting class at UConn, I asked her what advice she would give to incoming freshmen Molly Bent, Crystal Dangerfield and Kyla Irwin who recently arrived on campus.

"I would tell them trust the process, listen to what the coaches are telling you," Tuck said. "It is going to be hard and there are days when you don't want to do it but it pays off in the end. I got to go up to campus a few times when they are up there so they are great kids, they will fit in with the program really well. They seem like they work really hard and are talented of course. I think freshman year is always a struggle year but I think they will enjoy it a lot."

While making the rather interesting drive from Newark, Delaware to Tarrytown, N.Y. yesterday for the latest media availability for the U.S. national team, I wanted to come up with a little different story angle than yet another update on the five UConn graduates on the U.S. team.

Since I have seen plenty of caustic posts on Twitter about how the U.S. team has become little more than a chance for Geno Auriemma to get his former players on the squad (a laughable point of view when considering the qualifications of Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi), I thought it would be fun to get some people to weigh in on whether an all-UConn team could win the Olympic gold medal. I spoke with Bird, USA Basketball Women's National Team Director Carol Callan, assistant coach Doug Bruno and guard Lindsay Whalen on the topic for a story which ran in this morning's paper.

When I mentioned it to Bird, she said "who is on the team" since she wasn't sure if I meant active players or all UConn players so here is the breakdown of the 15 current UConn graduates in the WNBA.

Current  Olympians
Sue Bird: Averaging 12.5 points and league leading 6 assists per game. Is 241 assists shy of Ticha Penicheiro's WNBA career record. Tied for eighth with 573 career steals.
Tina Charles: Currently the WNBA leader in both scoring (21.4) and rebounding and one of the frontrunners with WNBA MVP. Could join Chamique Holdsclaw as only player to lead WNBA in scoring and rebounding in same season.
Maya Moore: Three-time WNBA champion is fourth in league in scoring (19.4) and sixth in assists (4.4). One of five players to be named WNBA regular-season and finale MVP.
Breanna Stewart: Winner of WNBA Rookie of Month three times, she is second in WNBA in rebounding and fifth in scoring
Diana Taurasi: Sixth-leading scorer in WNBA at 18.9 points per game. One of three WNBA players with more than 7,000 points in regular season and fifth all-time with 1,547 assists


Swin Cash: Ranks 13th in WNBA history with 5,075 regular-season points and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Key member of championship teams with Detroit and Seattle.
Stefanie Dolson: After averaging a career high 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds for Washington last season, is contributing 8 points and 4.7 rebounds
Kelly Faris: Averaging 2.1 points and 11.9 minutes in 103 career games with Connecticut Sun
Bria Hartley: Averaging 6.5 points, 2 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 16.9 minutes with Washington Mystics. Since May 21 Mystics are 6-4 when she plays at least 15 minutes, 3-8 if she does not
Tiffany Hayes: Atlanta Dream's No. 2 scorer at 14.5 points per game. Averaging career highs in points, assists, steals and minutes played. Has seven 20-point games, Atlanta is 10-7 when she scores in double figures
Moriah Jefferson: Second on San Antonio in scoring (12.2), contributes 4 assists, 1.4 steals per game. Third among qualifying players with 45.3 3-point percentage. Averaged 17.1 points in last eight games before Olympic break
Renee Montgomery: Averaging 7.8 points per game for Minnesota, highest total since 2013 season. Hit game winner when Minnesota beat Los Angeles in showdown of undefeated teams. Minnesota is 7-2 when she scores at least 10 points
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis: Averaging 6.4 points and 16.7 minutes while shooting 47 percent from 3-point range in last seven games for Seattle
Kiah Stokes: Eighth in WNBA in rebounding (7.6), sixth in blocked shots (1.5). Second in league in rebounding per 40 minutes
Morgan Tuck: Averaging 7.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.2 minutes as a rookie for Connecticut Sun. Averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in one three-game stretch in June.

There is already a portion of the women's basketball world tired of the "all UConn, all the time" coverage so a team of only UConn alums representing the U.S. in the Olympics might mean the end of Twitter but it was something worth pondering.

Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson, part of the winningest recruiting class in women's college basketball history, each began their professional careers with victories. However, it was hardly just another day at the office for either one of the former UConn stars.

Jefferson missed eight of her 11 shots and finished with six points, six assists and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench as San Antonio defeated Atlanta 74-67.

"It took me a while to kind of get it together," Jefferson said. "My teammates did a good job of making shots. I tried to get out in transition and really push it. As the game went on I got more used to it."

Shortly after being taken with the second overall pick Jefferson noticed that San Antonio's first two preseason games would be played at Mohegan Sun Arena.

"It felt like I keep going back and forth between Texas and Connecticut," Jefferson said. "I am excited to be here, the fans are great."

Tuck started in Connecticut's 84-81 win over Chicago. She was just 1 of 8 from the field as she ended up with seven points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 27 minutes.

"I was definitely nervous coming out like the first game in college but am glad we pulled out a win," Tuck said.

Tuck said that the lessons learned trying to guard WNBA veterans like Elena Delle Donne and Jessica Breland will serve her well.

There will be another experience for her on Thursday when she is on the opposing sideline from Jefferson, her former roommate.

"That will be exciting, we haven't played against each other for a very long time so it will be great to be out there on the court with her again," Tuck said.

Speaking of new roles, Jefferson is drawing more attention as not only the No. 2 overall pick but also as a Texas native playing for  San Antonio Stars.

Veteran San Antonio coach Dan Hughes couldn't say enough good things about Jefferson's approach, energy and positive approach she brings to the practice court.

"It feels like I just left Connecticut," Jefferson said. "I try to do the same thing, I try to bring a lot of energy to practice, making sure I am talking

"I am having so much fun and I am really happy to be on the court. It is something you work for your entire life and to be here , it is the best feeling."

As for the additional interviews and public appearances ....

"Usually Stewie (Breanna Stewart) gets most of the attention, they were a lot more people doing stuff so (she thought) 'where's Stewie?' but I don't mind it."

Former Hillhouse High star Bria Holmes also made her WNBA debut as she started and had six points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals in Atlanta's loss to San Antonio.

Not every star who rolls off the assembly line at UConn is completely enamored at the prospect of remaining in Connecticut as a professional.

Four years of living under the microscope can wear on even the most jovial type of person and getting to chance to spread the wings out of the glare of the spotlight can be the best thing to happen to many former Huskies.

However, Morgan Tuck is embracing her role as not only the top draft pick of the Connecticut Sun but a player likely to have attention paid to her due to her UConn roots.

"I think it is something that everybody would want," Tuck said at Thursday's Connecticut Sun media day event at Mohegan Sun Arena. "They want to go as high as they could in the draft, you are going to have high expectations. For me, I am not going to take this as 'I don't want this pressure of having to do well.' I want to be great, I want to be the best that I can be so I am going to try to use that to try to work harder."

Tuck has come to Sun games in the past. A season ago she was in the stands when Los Angeles came to town to see not only her former UConn teammate (and now current fellow Connecticut Sun team member) Kelly Faris but to see UConn graduate assistant coach Jasmine Lister play for the visiting Sparks.

Likely many of UConn's returning players will make the drive down to see Tuck play this season.

"It is kind of weird. I think once we start getting into games (it will sink in)," Tuck said. "It is cool that my old teammates can come and see me play. We came to the LA/Connecticut game so now they will be doing the same thing so it is kind of weird to think about."

Tuck has already impressed her coaches and teammates with her professional attitude and ability to impact the game in a variety of areas. Her versatility could be her calling card in the early stages of her professional career.

"Here I need to use my versatility way more than I did (at UConn)," Tuck said. "I think towards the end of the season I had to use it more because we were playing against teams with big post players but that is going to be more of how I try to play here just even now I am the smallest post on the team so for me it is really trying to focus on my versatility every possession done.

"I feel like I played really well (in the NCAA tournament) especially coming off that February run I had that was terrible so it really felt good to end on the right note and I am definitely going to try to carry it through to the season."

Since she only appeared in eight games as a sophomore Tuck was eligible to return to UConn next season where she likely would have been the No. 1 offensive option more often than at any other time in her collegiate career. Before the season Tuck said her intention was to return next season but after giving it much thought, she made the decision to declare for the draft. With a little and I do mean little down time since the end of the college season Tuck is confident she made the right decision.

"The way everything worked out and the way everything is working out, I think it was the best decision," Tuck said.

Tuck was inducted into the Huskies of Honor one day after helping UConn win an unprecedented fourth straight national title. Then came the draft preparations, the final work so she can graduate as well as moving her stuff out of her apartment to the place she is currently living in.

"It has been crazy," Tuck said. "It has calmed down a little bit now because we are in more of a routine of going to practice but it was crazy after the season ended, there was a lot of stuff that had to get done in a short amount of time. It has been great. I couldn't ask for a better experience for the last month, it's been the best time I've had in my life. "

Speaking of a hectic schedule, just imagine how things have been for Tuck's former UConn teammate Breanna Stewart who was introduced as part of the 2016 Olympic team yesterday in New York.

"It is crazy that she is really going to play in the Olympics," Tuck said. "I think it is literally every kid who plays the sport is to play in the Olympics. For her to be able to do that, being the youngest on the team just shows how great of a player she is. I talked to her about it and she didn't even bring it up when we were talking, she is super humble."

Tuck and Stewart will be reunited on May 28 when Tuck's Connecticut Sun plays at Stewart's Seattle Storm squad. She won't have to wait that long to see former teammate Moriah Jefferson, now a rookie with the San Antonio Stars since the Stars will play exhibition games on May 4 and 5 at Mohegan Sun Arena with the latter game coming against the Sun.

"In an actual game, I don't think we've ever played against each other," Tuck said. "It helps that we won't be guarding each other but it definitely is going to be weird.

"It's been a lot going on. It is kind of crazy what we've been able to do. I wish we could still be on the same team but it definitely has helped us quite a bit being able to do it together is the best possible thing we could do."

The departure of Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck leave three major holes to fill. Incoming freshmen Molly Bent, Crystal Dangerfield and Kyla Irwin won't be expected to replace the production of UConn's Big Three but there will still plenty of eyes on them. So what advice would Tuck give them?

"To work hard and try to do whatever you can to help the team win," Tuck said. "That is what us three did, when we were needed to step up as leaders we kind of did that. I would tell them to buy into the system, buy into what the coaches are telling  you because they obviously know what they are doing. I think they have to have fun with it but literally do whatever they need to do to make sure the team is going to be good.

"I think the team is taking it as a challenge because a lot of people are saying we aren't going to be as good but it wasn't just us this out there playing, we had a whole team and in our four years, it wasn't just us three. Our freshman year we weren't the ones carrying the team, they have to take it as a challenge. They can still be a great team, they can still win a national championship and Coach (Geno Auriemma) is going to make sure he gets them ready to do that."

Breanna Stewart stopped answering a question in mid sentence and slammed her fist onto the table when he was informed that Morgan Tuck was indeed the third pick in the WNBA Draft. Moriah Jefferson, taken second overall just a few minutes earlier, also had a rather exuberant reaction to the news.

The historic achievement of being the first teammates to be taken with the top three picks in a pro draft was special but more than anything else, the three former teammates were incredibly excited at the situations they are all walking into.

Stewart joins Sue Bird (now her teammate in Seattle), Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles and Maya Moore as the UConn players selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft. Jefferson, the first Texas native to play for the Huskies, is returning home to suit up for San Antonio and Tuck was one of five draftees joining an already young nucleus for the Connecticut Sun.

"I have to wonder if it was actually real," Stewart said  "I woke up this morning and my thought (was similar to) when we won the national championship 'wow, I am getting drafted today.' That is a childhood dream and it just came true.

"We've been waiting here, we've been up since 6:30 this morning  and we want to know what is going to happen. I think to have Mo to my left, Morgan (around)  the corner from me and just to be able to look at them, embrace them as I was walking to the podium, that just shows the kind of group we are, we care about each other and how each other are doing."

Jefferson figured she was in a win-win situation as she would either be suiting up in her native Texas or in the state that has become her home away from home these last four years.

"They asked me if I would rather go to Connecticut or come here and they are both like home now," Jefferson said. "Being here for the last four years, it was great to be able to go back home."
Jefferson joked that she would pick up the ball and throw it at Stewart the first time her former teammate blocks one of her shots and would keep her distance from Tuck since she "is going to try to knock me out too."

San Antonio coach Dan Hughes, a two-time WNBA coach of the year, attempted to put in perspective the history that transpired on Thursday night.

"It is equally as remarkable as four straight championships., it is just amazing," Hughes said. "That is the beautiful thing about Connecticut players and all three of those girls came in as freshmen, were impactful and got better every year. The escalation led to a unique time here in the WNBA with 1, 2 and 3.

"You get a Connecticut player, they do things rights whether it is on the court, there is a focus. They are supposed to win the games, how many times did they get out of the gate with a mentality that was professional with just how they did it. I started dealing with them after the season and their ability to communicate with me, I've been fortunate to have some Connecticut players and they all bear that resemblance to me, it just love that because I feel like they are ready."

Connecticut Sun coach Curt Miller said that after consultation with UConn coaches and medical personnel, there were no concerns about Tuck's knee issues impacting her pro career. If there were any concerns, the Sun would have selected George Washington's Jonquel Jones. As it turned out, Connecticut got both of them - at a hefty price by giving up guard Chelsea Gray, the No. 15 pick and next year's No. 1 in exchange for Jones and the No. 17 pick (used to select Oregon State's Jamie Weisner. Oh, the Sun also selected Minnesota's Rachel Banham with the No. 4 pick.

Both Stewart and Jefferson said they felt more joy when Tuck went third overall than when they were selected. For Tuck, it was a night she won't soon forget.
"I was in fourth grade, I loved Lisa Leslie and I did a project in school and since then I wanted to play in the WNBA," Tuck said. "Now to get drafted, it is kind of surreal that is happened."

Another dream was fulfilled when Atlanta selected former Hillhouse High star Bria Holmes with the No. 11 pick making her the first state native taken in the first round of the WNBA Draft.

“It has always been a dream of mine to play in the WNBA, and to finally get drafted, especially in the first round, it was a bitter sweet moment,” Holmes said. “I wasn’t really expecting to go in the first round, but my dream actually came true. I couldn’t be happier and more proud of myself. All of the things that I have been through in high school and at West Virginia really paved the way for me.”

Banham is now the answer to a trivia question for being the first non-UConn player taken in this year's draft. She hopes to be more than just a footnote in the history books.

"I really did want to come here so I was hoping to hear my name, once I did I was in shock," Banham said. "He said 'I want you to score' when I hear that I said absolutely, I am coming there. I am excited to work under him."

Banham seemed to enjoy watching the delight in the faces of Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck as they went right before her.

"Those three girls were going up there and the fans were loving it," Banham said. "This is a championship state. I watch UConn play every year and they just win, that is what they do. The vibes of the fans, they love it and they love basketball and that is fun to play in front of."

The 6-foot-6 Jones is an intriguing prospect as she has the ability to step out and hit from the 3-point range. She is aware that the Sun gave up quite a bit to get her.

"I just don't want to let them down now, you want go in training camp, spend a lot of time in the gym and show you are willing to work," Jones said

"I am really fond of her. I was telling her to make sure she leaves her mark. She was somebody I really enjoyed being around and I was telling her we should keep in touch so I guess we will be keeping in touch."
Weisner, who led Oregon State to the Final Four, and St. John's Aliyyah Handford will also be joining the Sun putting the roster at 19 but there are four players who could remain overseas at the start of training camp. With 15 players allowed in training camp at one time, that would allow the Sun to take a look at the new players before some of the veterans arrive.

Miller said he did not want to trade away Gray and certainly was in no hurry to lose next year's first-round pick but he felt that a talent like Jones was worthy the price of what the team surrendered. He said if Jones were in next year's draft that perhaps she would be the top player available.

Geno Auriemma probably summed up Monday night's events at Gampel Pavilion when classmates Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck combined for 61 points, 25 rebounds, 16 assists and six blocked shots in a 97-51 win over Duquesne.

"It is going to be a long time before we see something like this again," Auriemma said.

The Hall of Fame coach was speaking in general terms about what the trio has managed to accomplish since their arrival but his words also helped capture the essence of the performance put forth by UConn's "Big Three."

Stewart had 21 points, a career-high tying 16 rebounds and five blocked shots (three in one possession). Jefferson had 20 points (on just 10 shots), seven assists, three steals and no turnovers while Tuck chipped in with 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Fittingly they all came out of the game together with 5:49 left to play to a rousing ovation.

"It was like the perfect ending to playing here at Gampel for all three of us to have the games that we had, it was amazing," Jefferson said. "You can't even think about getting emotional and crying with the way that we played, we were all really excited."

During one stretch the trio had 10 straight baskets for the Huskies and had two other stretches when they accounted for each of the five baskets scored by the Huskies as UConn pulled away from the pesky Dukes.
"It was just fun, we were just excited for each other and excited for our team," Tuck said. "It was by far the mot fun we had playing here before so it was nice that our last time playing together here was a great memory."
UConn posted its 71st win, moving into sole possession of second place on the NCAA Division I women's list  and set up a regional semifinal matchup with Mississippi State on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Webster Bank Arena.

"It was unbelievable," Stewart said. "I think for all three of us to play as well as we did, finish the game together essentially was huge. To receive a standing ovation, there is nothing better than that."
Some notes from the game.

Stewart and Jefferson are now the  highest scoring UConn tandem in not only NCAA tournament history but in postseason history as well. They now have 908 career postseason points moving by the previous record of 897 set by Kara Wolters and Carla Berube from 1993-96 and the 587 points in the NCAA tournament tops the mark of 566 set by Diana Taurasi and Jessica Moore from 2001-04.

Stewart posted her 132nd career double-digit scoring game tying her with Minnesota's Rachel Banham (whose career ended with a loss in the WNIT on Sunday) for the fourth highest total in NCAA Division I history. She could still surpass former Oklahoma star Courtney Paris' total of 134 but the record 149 set by Maya Moore and 146 by Brittney Griner is out of reach even for Stewart.

Stewart has now surpassed the 400 mark in both career assists and blocked shots. Blocked shot totals have only been official since 1988 and I went back a little further to when Cheryl Miller and Cindy Brown played and don't have another player with 400 assists and 400 blocked shots.

Jefferson is now sixth on the NCAA tournament list with 46 career steals and is second in NCAA tournament history with a 51.9 3-point percentage trailing only Jennifer Azzi's absurd total of 55.8. Officially Jefferson won't qualify since a player needs to attempt 1.5 3-pointers per game and she is currently at 1.4 per contest.

There are certainly more statistic notes for the two of them but I'll save that for a later day.

The ultimate goal is six wins away for Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart as they attempt to be the first two players to be on the court for four national championship teams. However, their impact can also be quantified thanks to their individual statistics.

They are currently fourth on the list of highest scoring classmates in the NCAA tournament in UConn history and third in program history in combined postseason points.

NCAA TOURNAMENT SCORING
566 Diana Taurasi 428/Jessica Moore 138 (2000-04)
543 Bria Hartley 300/Stefanie Dolson 243 (2010-14)
518 Maya Moore 476/Lorin Dixon 42 (2007-11)
514 Breanna Stewart 324/Moriah Jefferson 190 (2012-present)
511 Kara Wolters 322/Carla Berube 189 (1993-97)
495 Sue Bird 253/Asjha Jones 242 (1998-2002)
492 Breanna Stewart 324/Morgan Tuck 168 (2012-present)
469 Barbara Turner 274/Ann Strother 195 (2002-06)
466 Sue Bird 253/Swin Cash 213 (1998-2002)
463 Sue Bird 253/Tamika Williams 210 (1998-2002)
458 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 374/Kiah Stokes 84 (2011-15)
402 Jen Rizzotti 212/Jamelle Elliott 190 (1992-96)

POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT SCORING
897 Kara Wolters 565/Carla Berube 332 (1993-97)
863 Bria Hartley 441/Stefanie Dolson 422 (2010-14)
845 Breanna Stewart 538/Moriah Jefferson 307 (2012-present)
803 Breanna Stewart 538/Morgan Tuck 265 (2012-present)
730 Maya Moore 661/Lorin Dixon 69 (2007-11)
728 Barbara Turner 412/Ann Strother 316 (2002-06)
715 Asjha Jones 376/Sue Bird 339 (1998-2002)
686 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 576/Kiah Stokes 110 (2011-15)

Obviously Stewart and Jefferson and pretty high on some NCAA career lists as well. Stewart needs 28 points to move into the top 10 on the NCAA tournament career list, 29 rebounds to break into the top 10 on that list and is currently tied with Sylvia Fowles for third on the career blocked shots list so when she ties Rebecca Lobo's career blocked shots list, she will take over sole possession of third place in NCAA tournament history. Jefferson's 41 steals leaves her one behind Dawn Staley for 10th place on the career list while she ranks third with a 3-point percentage of 46.5.

When UConn signed the trio of Moriah Jefferson, Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck, there was talk of them being the best recruiting class in women's basketball history.

The Sue Bird-Swin Cash-Asjha Jones-Keirsten Walters-Tamika Williams class signed in 1997 certainly needs to be mentioned about the best ever. When Tennessee signed a six-player class headlined by Candace Parker, Alexis Hornbuckle and Nicky Anosike, who would all be taken in the top 16 picks in the 2008 WNBA Draft, there were stories speculating that it might be the best class ever.

There were recruiting services that had Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck among the top four players in their class and certainly in the top 10. Their ultimate legacy can't be determined until this season plays out. If the Huskies run the table, UConn would have won an NCAA Division I women's record 151 games since their arrival (topping the 150 won by UConn during Lorin Dixon's and Maya Moore's four seasons) and no other women's recruiting class could lay claim to four national titles in four seasons.

Individually, Stewart has earned the right be to mentioned in the company of Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi when discussing legendary figures in the program history while Jefferson will be able to hold her own alongside of Jen Rizzotti and Bird when the discussion turns to the best point guards to play at UConn. Geno Auriemma has used Jones as a player to compare to Tuck. Anybody who has been around Auriemma dating back to Jones' playing days can appreciate just lofty that praise happens to be.

At the recent national team training camp I asked Bird about the benefits of having fellow star players to deal with the expectations that Jefferson, Stewart and Tuck have dealt with since arriving at UConn.

"To have to do everything is no burden that any player should have to bear," Bird said. "There are some who can do it but something is missing when you have to do it all by yourself. When it is a team, you are together, it is a really special relationship. You have support, it is just a support system, it is there in your dorm room, it is there when you walk out (on the court) and it is extremely helpful."
Stewart is the only Division I women's players with at least 300 assists and 300 blocked shots since blocked became a statistic officially recognized by the NCAA in 1988. Cheryl Miller and Cindy Brown also had more than 300 assists and 300 blocks but since blocked shots totals before 1988 aren't included in the NCAA record book, I haven't been able to come up with a list of other players with at least 300 assists and 300 blocked shots but if Stewart gets to 400 assists and 400 blocked shots, neither Brown nor Miller accomplished that feat.

Jefferson is two assists shy of 600 and when she gets there, she will have the best assist/turnover ratio of any players in that group dating back to the 1999-2000 season.

Finally, they became the first trio of UConn teammates to combine for 5,000 career points and also have the most assists, steals and blocked shots of any three UConn classmates.

POINTS
12-16: Jefferson-Stewart-Tuck 500898-02: Cash-Jones-Williams 4487
02-06: Crockett-Strother-Turner 3930
00-04: Battle-Moore-Taurasi 3899*
10-14: Dolson-Hartley-Walker 3896

REBOUNDS98-02: Cash-Jones-Williams 2467
06-10: Charles-Gardler-McLaren 2104
02-06: Crockett-Strother-Turner 1994
12-16: Jefferson-Stewart-Tuck 192500-04: Battle-Moore-Taurasi 1802*
92-96: Better-Elliott-Rizzotti  1769
10-14: Dolson-Hartley-Walker 1750

ASSISTS
12-16: Jefferson-Stewart-Tuck 122500-04: Battle-Conlon-Taurasi 1098*
92-96: Better-Elliott-Rizzotti 1032
98-02: Bird-Cash-Jones   954
10-14: Dolson-Hartley-Walker  952

STEALS
12-16: Jefferson-Stewart-Tuck 61498-02: Bird-Cash-Williams 578
92-96: Better-Elliott-Rizzotti  567
04-08: Houston-Swanier-Thomas 548
88-92: Baer-Davis-Pattyson 545

BLOCKS
12-16: Jefferson-Stewart-Tuck 43391-95: Dixon-Lobo-Webber 414
06-10: Charles-Gardler-McLaren 413
93-97: Berube-Rose-Wolters 404
11-15: Banks-KML-Stokes  389
*-does not include statistics for Battle and Moore during 2004-05 season

In the buildup for the No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown, UConn coach Geno Auriemma couldn't put a number of how many questions he was asked about the rise of the South Carolina program and importance of the game. However, one inquiry stands above all the others and that came earlier in the day when he was asked if the game was a litmus test one for his team.

He thought about how many big games the trio of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck have played since their arrival including three national championship games (two for Tuck) and could only chuckle.

Auriemma wasn't sure what else would happen but he rather certain that the aforementioned trio would be good to go. All they did was combine to score UConn's first 28 points, Stewart had a double-double while Jefferson and Tuck combined to hold Tiffany Mitchell and Alaina Coates to a 5 of 18 shooting performance.

"I appreciate them more every day because sometimes I start to blink and I realize they aren't going to be out there and I really appreciate them," Auriemma said. "Some of the plays they made are unbelievable. Some of the shots Stewie makes, the way Moriah gets in the lane, just how tough  Tuck is on one leg. I just can't say enough about those guys, they are pretty special guys."

Nobody is more appreciative of what Jefferson and Tuck have done at UConn than Stewart.

"A lot of people overlook what Morgan and Moriah have done and it is just as much of an impact that they have made and we would't be in this position without those two," Stewart said. "I just appreciate playing with them and tying to enjoy this last year as much as possible."

UConn improved to 19-3 in No. 1 vs. No. 2 games including a 6-0 mark since the arrival of Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck.

"I am not surprised about what happened tonight, I knew we were playing a great team, we knew we were playing a team that is almost unbeatable on their home court and they are probably going to go back to the Final Four like they did last year because they are good," Auriemma said. "When my guys know that the challenge is huge, those three seniors usually come up huge. The fun part is really the look in their eyes when they are getting ready to play in a game like this is really quite different than any other time.

"When it is the biggest moment, you can tell the way we practice the day before, the way shootaround goes, the way they look when we are watching film, when we are talking to them in the huddle, there is a whole different vibe. It makes me different, it makes me feel like back in the old days and the (assistant) coaches too. There was a little bit of stuff flowing through all of us and when two teams like this play, you are actually more nervous at home than you are on the road. I am really proud of our team tonight."

A couple of numbers jumped out at me.

First, South Carolina came into the game leading the country averaging 24.1 attempted free throws per game however the Gamecocks had seven attempts through three quarters.

Also, the rebound totals were dead even 35-35 with UConn actually getting more offensive rebounds and the Huskies also had more blocked shots that the Gamecocks.

The biggest numbers might have been 40, 40, 39 and 33 and those are the minutes played by returning starters Stewart, Jefferson, Kia Nurse and Tuck.

Auriemma said after the game that of the younger players, Gabby Williams was the one who contributed the most. He said he could have played Saniya Chong but each time he looked at who he would have to take out and opted to play it safe.

There's plenty of ways to display leadership. UConn seniors Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart are more of the "lead by example" types and that is exactly what they did in Saturday's win over Memphis.

Although the Huskies were rolling along with a 14-point lead early in the second quarter, there was a sense among the players and coaches that the Huskies were somewhat lethargic.

One of the first signs of life came in one stretch when Stewart and Jefferson came up with offensive rebounds that were more about a relentless effort to extend a possession than their natural athleticism.

Saniya Chong had just missed a jumper when Stewart used her 7-foot-1 wing span to secure an offensive rebound that few other women's college players could have corralled. Stewart would miss a jumper of her own. A pair of Memphis players seemed to be in perfect position to snare the rebound only to have Jefferson aggressively chase the ball down. Given a third opportunity, Stewart drained a jumper off Napheesa Collier's assist. The crowd, which had been waiting for something to cheer about, unleashed a rousing ovation for the blue-collar work from the Huskies' star players.

"We made a few hustle plays in a row and got into the crowd into it," Stewart said. "When you have the crowd, that is a huge momentum swing for us."

Jefferson was thrilled to have a role in the signature sequence of events in the victory.

"Those are the types of plays that we have to make and we can make memories on," Jefferson said. "You can have energy and the team builds off of that. If you aren't going for offensive rebounds, if we are in a tight game and need them, we aren't going to be able to do it.

"Those types of plays definitely bring energy to the arena, the fans love it and we love it as a team."

Jefferson admitted that she was not a happy camper at halftime and let her teammates know it.

"I usually don't do too much yelling but I did a little bit at halftime just saying that our energy wasn't there," Jefferson said. "It wasn't so much the things we were doing, we were getting stops and making plays but it wasn't enough. We were definitely low energy and we can't ever have that in any game that we play."

Stewart finished with 19 points as she tied Tina Charles for second place on UConn's career list with the 117th double-digit career scoring game. She also moved within 15 points of tying Charles for the No. 2 spot on UConn's career scoring chart. Stewart added seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Jefferson had 11 points and seven assists. She also became the ninth UConn player with three seasons of at least 100 assists and 50 steals and tied Bria Hartley for fifth place in career assists in the process.

Morgan Tuck, who returned to practice on Friday, missed her fourth straight game as she rested her surgically-repaired right knee.

"It is always going to be her (decision not to play) from here on in," Auriemma said. "If she knows she is good to go, she'll go. If she goes 'I am not ready' I trust her.

"She (felt) pretty good but not where she wants to be and I respect that. We will see Monday at practice, we have Monday, Tuesday and shootaorund on Wednesday so we potentially have three more looks at it (before UConn plays at Tulane on Wednesday) so if she goes all three days then we will figure it out. I would like to get her back, obviously."

Warde Manuel, who was officially introduced as Michigan's director of athletics, was in attendance and met with the media at halftime to discuss his decision to head back to his alma mater.

On Wednesday night when he was asked about the potential date for redshirt junior forward Morgan Tuck to return to practice, UConn coach Geno Auriemma felt like it could happen late next week.

Well. it is amazing how time flies. When the team got together on Thursday Tuck told Auriemma she was ready to get back on the court. After getting the OK from UConn athletic trainer Rosemary Ragle, Tuck practiced on a limited basis today.

"I thought I would try it out a little bit and see how it felt," Tuck said. "I will know tomorrow (if she can play against Memphis). It is pretty clear about how it feels so for the rest of today, how it feels when I wake up in the morning if it feeling good I will be good and if not, then I will be in dress clothes. I am not in a rush, today was my first day of practicing and I didn't do a whole day of practice so to go out there and try to go full go in a game, I will talk to Rosie but I don't know if that is the best option."

UConn will not rush Tuck back into the lineup but if she is good to go, there is a chance she would play tomorrow.

I walked by Tuck on my way to press row before Wednesday's Tulsa game and she had a look on her face I had never seen from her before. Maybe she was just sick of seeing me but she looked extremely annoyed and perhaps even dejected so perhaps it is not that big of a surprise that she is back on the court.

"It is rough," Tuck said, "It is like I haven't played in a long time. I just have to get out there and it felt good to be out there with my teammates. I think when you are out for a little, you kind of get out of sync and it is something I really want to make sure I am doing when I am on the court, I am getting that feel back with them.

"We did some treatments and it definitely calmed it down. I am definitely feeling a lot better than I was a week and a half, two weeks ago."

I didn't get to see the entire practice but UConn was working on half-court offense and once Tuck came onto the court it seemed as if the Huskies scored on every possession.

"Having Tuck back on court is like having three others on the floor because she just solves so many problems even before they come up, matchup problems on defense, matchup problems on offense," Auriemma said. "All of a sudden it is another 3-point shooter, another post player, a good passer, another good rebounder so it is just a lot of things that she does plus she knows but she has a real basketball IQ which in today's day and age, if you can get 'I' you are way ahead of the game never mind the 'Q' part."

Tuck is easily UConn's most vocal player on the court and that part of her game was noticeable when she was on the court.

"You can tell she is ready to come out and be a part of the team, she had a great practice today," UConn senior guard Moriah Jefferson said. She always brings that energy to our team. We need her, she is here and we couldn't be more happy."

Tuck will continue to receive treatment on her knee, probably as long as she is playing basketball. She spent plenty of time on the bike which was better than hitting the pool which she did in her first day after the decision was made to shut her down temporarily.

We did some treatments and it definitely calmed it down. I am definitely feeling a lot better than I

"I don't like swimming so that was by far the worst," Tuck said. "I only did it once, that was the first day that I was out and I got to ride the bike the rest of the time."

I'm sure there are those people around the county who wonder what will happen when UConn is faced with an actual competitive game in the second half rather than just figuring out when it the best time to pull the starters.

Well, when South Florida freshman Kitija Laksa hit back to back 3-pointers to pull the Bulls within a point with 7:31 left in the third quarter, the Huskies were finally faced with some crucial possessions to play.

How did they do? Well chew on some of these numbers. When it was a 35-34 game UConn was shooting 36.6 percent from the field (15 for 41) but went 14 for 24 (58.3 percent) the rest of the way. On the other side of things, USF shot 32 percent the rest of the way which is right around what they were shooting at that time. It added up to a hard-earned 75-59 victory.

"Coach (Geno Auriemma) said it in the locker room and so did we that we show that we could (execute with the game on the line)," UConn senior forward Breanna Stewart said. "This is what you play basketball for."

After Laksa drained her fourth and fifth 3-pointers of the game to make it a 35-34 game and after a UConn turnover, the Bulls had a chance to take the lead. However, USF missed back to back shots and misfired on four straight shots. Meanwhile Napheesa Collier and Morgan Tuck scored in the lane, Kia Nurse and Tuck hit 3-pointers and Gabby Williams connected on a jumper to make it a 47-36 game.

"Those are the better games when the team isn't worried about 'UConn' they are just coming out and playing their game," said Tuck, who had 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and was the only person in the game to play at least 25 minutes without turning the ball over. "That is why we came to UConn, not for 40-point win or a 50-point win, you come for the game where it is a sold-out crowd, it is loud and you are in a hostile environment and everybody watching wants you to lose. That is why you came here so it is a great environment to play and I think it gets us going a little bit."

Tuck, who missed Friday's win at Houston due to soreness in her surgically-repaired right knee, led three players in double figures for UConn. Kia Nurse matched her season high with 16 points while Stewart 12 points and 11 rebounds. Moriah Jefferson had all eight of her points in a span of 2:07 late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter while Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams combined for 15 points and eight rebounds.

Courtney Williams had game highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds and Laksa had 17 points for USF (10-4, 3-1) but the Bulls, playing without leading rebounder Alisia Jenkins because of an ankle injury, had no other players with more than two field goals.

With UConn coach Geno Auriemma opting not to play junior guard Saniya Chong as a precaution because he didn't like how she looked dealing with her season-long fight with IT Band Syndrome, the Huskies went with only seven players until the very end.

"We knew going in this was going to be really hard and we prepared a little bit different," Auriemma said. "There is a little different vibe on this team because they know that this team has played us enough times that they think, rightly so, that they are just as entitled to win this conference as we are, they act like it and play like it."

In Williams' eyes, the Bulls needed to push back when UConn made its runs in the third and fourth quarters.

"You know they are going to go on a run," Williams said. "We just had to answer and we didn't do that."

Williams recorded her fourth 20-point game against UConn but before the senior guard graduates, she wants something that has been elusive - a victory against UConn.

"We have to get one, we have to get them at least once," Williams said.

Playing alongside a talent like Breanna Stewart makes it easy to get overshadowed but there is absolutely no way that Morgan Tuck can be overlooked with the way she is playing.

Tuck finished last season not only with 10 straight double-digit scoring games but making more shots than she missed nine times during that stretch with seven games with more assists than turnovers.

It is a safe to say she has picked up right where she has left off. Had she scored one more point against Nebraska, Tuck would be the only Husky to score in double figures in every game this season.

In the last six games Tuck has 102 points while shooting 67 percent from the field (75 percent from inside the 3-point line) with 20 assists and 10 turnovers. When I pointed out the irony to Geno Auriemma that Tuck, who dealt with so many injuries earlier in her career, is the only member of her recruiting class to play in every game this season as both Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson missed a game with a minor injury, he marveled at what she brings to the team.

"It is crazy," Auriemma said. "She is tough. Some of it is you have to be tough, you have to have some good luck, some good fortune which is always good but Tuck, she is the energizer bunny. She is always there at the end."

Tuck had 12 points in the first quarter, making all four of her field goals and going 4 for 4 from the foul line in last night's win over Tulsa. She had 16 points at halftime and with the game a complete mismatch, only played six minutes in the second half. She still finished with 18 points. As is her custom, she was quick to credit the guards for feeding her the ball when asked about her impressive first quarter.
"I knew that we needed to have a good start with the stretch of games that we are about to have. I just try to make sure when I get the ball inside that I finish every layup so I just try to make sure I do that every game," Tuck said.

PUTTING UP A FIGHT
Kia Nurse just shook her head when the topic recently turned to her brother's first NHL fight.

Darnell Nurse is a tough customer so it is not surprising that he would drop the gloves to stick up for an Edmonton Oilers teammate but to initiate his first NHL fight against the rugged Milan Lucic of the Los Angeles Kings who came into the regular season with 61 career NHL fights between the preseason, regular season and postseason was certainly a challenging way to engage in his first scrap with the Oilers.

"He doesn't back down from anybody so it was good to show off his tough side for a minute," Kia Nurse said. "He could of (picked an easier first fighting opponent) but Nurses don't pick anything easy, that is the way we are."

REUNION TIME
When Katie Lou Samuelson made it back to California during the Christmas break, she was struck by how much things have changed. Usually she was the one at home waiting for her sisters to return home from college.

"It was fun, we (Katie Lou and her sister Karlie) were both home for a couple of days and it was cool," Samuelson said. "It was funny because usually I am the one who is home and it was Bonnie (a 2015 Stanford graduate) this time who was stuck at home."
LOFTY PRAISE FOR IRWIN
There are few things that Auriemma values in players more than a passion for the game of basketball. When he was asked about incoming freshman Kyla Irwin recently becoming the all-time leading scorer in State College (Pa.) High School girls' basketball history, he couldn't help but rave about how hard Irwin competes.

"When kids get to be seniors they start playing their best basketball all the time so she has gotten a lot better," Auriemma said. "She's a kid who is going to be good no matter what. Is she going to be great? I don't know but she is going to be good no matter what because her enthusiasm for the game, her effort during the game, her energy level during the game there a very few kids like that. When you are like that, there is a very good chance that you are going to be a very good player."

The last time the top-ranked and undefeated UConn women's basketball team took to the court, it was a reunion of sorts for star forwards Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck as Florida State coach Sue Semrau was an assistant coach on a pair of U.S. junior national teams featuring the UConn stars.

It will be more of a same on Monday when LSU heads to the XL Center to face UConn as LSU head coach Nikki (Caldwell) Fargas was an assistant coach on the U.S. U-18 team in 2012 and U-19 squad in 2013 that was headlined by Stewart, Tuck and Moriah Jefferson.

"It was great to be able to be a part of the national team that had those three young ladies on it," Fargas said. "They are unbelievable people. They work hard every day, they were competitive, they were in summer school and they were balancing both that and playing USA ball so it just showed how focused they were in becoming not only the best they could on the basketball court but also in the classroom. That is what you want your student-athletes to take the opportunity and maximize it. You could see that they were going to be on that path prior to them to get to college.

"You can't ask for better leadership from Moriah, Stewart is just an unbelievable specimen of an athlete so she can do anything and everything. Morgan Tuck, she is just solid and that kid can just calm the waters and she will.

"It was just a pleasure coaching and being around those three.

There's so much to like about how Jefferson, Stewart and Tuck play the game and how they approach the game of basketball. Fargas, however, was struck by something else about the trio.

"I liked the fact that they enjoyed playing the game," Fargas said. "It was fun, they are obviously skilled, they obviously have knowledge of the game. All we had to do was put a blueprint out there and let them go and create this unbelievable masterpiece. They did it so elegantly. They are great teammates. You don't have to turn it on and turn it off. Everything doesn't have to be
so serious with them. They knew when it was time to go to work and punch the clock so to speak, get down to business and then we would leave it and enjoy ourselves."

Stewart and Tuck were the top two scorers while Jefferson was one of the three U.S. players with at least 30 assists on the team which won the 2013 FIBA U-19 World Championship for Women. Fargas was also an assistant on the 2012 U.S. U-18 team. Jefferson and Tuck were the only U.S. players to start all five games en route to winning the FIBA Americas Championship for Women. Once again Tuck and Stewart were the team's top two scorers on the U-18 team. The U.S. teams, coached by Miami's Katie Meier, went 14-0 with an averaging margin of victory of 41 points.

I was a little curious how Monday's came about and it turns out while there are teams who seem more enthusiastic about playing UConn after the graduation of Stewart and Jefferson, Fargas was willing to play this year's star-studded UConn squad.

"Rutgers we had already scheduled a home and away so we were already contracted for Rutgers," Fargas said. "Last year we reached out to UConn to start a series with them as well. Last year you are looking at what your roster looks like, we wanted to be very competitive in our non-conference scheduling. What better way to do that than play the best team in the country in UConn and
a very qualified and potential NCAA tournament team in Rutgers."

Unfortunately, the LSU team Fargas thought would be taking the court against the Huskies is not the one who will be stepping onto the XL Center on Monday.

The Tigers not only graduated two of its top four scorers (DaShawn Harden and Sheila Boykin) but leading scorer Danielle Ballard did not return for her senior season and freshman Stephanie Amichia, who started two games a season ago, is also not a part of this year's team. Raigyne Moncrief and freshman Ayana Mitchell suffered season-ending injuries. Moncrief and Mitchell tied for the team scoring lead in a season-opening loss to Wake Forest. Moncrief's injury leaves LSU without its top four scorers from a season ago.

"We are a work in progress," Fargas said. "Every day we are stressing the same philosophy whether we had our full roster or not. We just had to ask players who play different roles for us to step up and do more. You lose two of our best kids and two other kids don't return, four potential starters, now you are looking at your bench and hopefully this opportunity that they have will allow them to get better and better."

Moriah Jefferson moved to the top of one list at UConn during Friday night's win over Florida State but she wasn't exactly patting herself on the back for it.

Jefferson not only became the 11th Husky to dish out at least 500 assists but she has the best assist/turnover ratio (2.48 with 501 assists and 202 turnovers) of any UConn player with at least 500 assists. However, Jefferson had four assists and three turnovers in the 73-49 victory making the fourth time in eight games this season that she failed to have at least twice as many assists as turnovers. As a point of reference, it was the 18th game during her junior season when she had her fourth outing with an assist/turnover ratio under 2/1.

"It (500 assists) is a good number to be at and hopefully look to get some more," Jefferson said.

"I haven't done a good job of it (assist/turnover ratio) this season. I was talking to (assistant coach) Shea (Ralph), we were saying that if I do turn the ball over try to get it back the next play so that is something I need to keep working on but there turnovers they need to start going down at some point."

Jefferson's annoyance at turning the ball over resulted in a couple of her four steals as she came from behind to cause a turnover. She did the same after one of her missed shots resulting in what I consider to be perhaps the most pivotal stretch in the game.

Florida State was only down 12 points with less than 3 minutes left in the third quarter. Jefferson missed a jumper and Leticia Romero grabbed the rebound. The talented FSU point guard was looking up the floor when Jefferson came in from behind, knocked the ball away and threw a pass to Breanna Stewart. Stewart quickly kicked a pass over to Kia Nurse for a 3-pointer. The Seminoles seemingly had a numbers advantage and could have pulled within 10 points (nine with a 3-pointer). Instead it was suddenly a 15-point lead. FSU wouldn't get closer than 13 the rest of the way.

COLLIER HAS SOLID FIRST START
Geno Auriemma has always loved the idea of bringing a game changer off the bench, somebody who can completely change the pace of the game.

While Gabby Williams was performing well as a starter, he simply thought that returning her to the reserve role she played so well as a freshman might be a way to add some energy off the bench.

What resulted is freshman Napheesa Collier and contributing six points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocked shots in 32 minutes in her first career start.

"She played really confidently," UConn forward Morgan Tuck said. "I think it was really good for her on a big stage, a big game to play her game and do a lot of things."

Auriemma said don't be surprised to see Collier remain in the starting lineup.

"I thought the combination of Napheesa and Gabbym if you look at them as one player that fifth spot, I think they had 10 points, 11 rebounds, six steals if that one player did that, you would say that is pretty good," Auriemma said.

"I always think your bench has to be dynamic and in whatever form that takes. Last year we watched the game and said what do we need coming off the bench, a lot of times we need Kiah Stokes to come in and block shots like she did in the game at Note Dame or the Texas game in the NCAA tournament  and I just don't know if we were getting that during the early part of the season so I kind of like the way it went tonight and if it keeps going like this in practice, I am going to stay with it."

REMEMBER ME?
The first sense I had that Florida State coach Sue Semrau made quite an impression on UConn's Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck while being an assistant coach on the U.S. U-19 team back in 2011 that included the two current UConn stars came last year when Stewart and Semrau were being honored by the Associated Press.

Stewart had received the AP Player of the Year award for the second year in a row when she congratulated Semrau for winning the coach of the year honor. There was just one problem, that hadn't been announced yet. Stewart got a little embarrassed but it was clear that she really liked playing for Semrau.

Fast forward to last night and I got a similar reaction from Tuck.

"She was such an energetic coach. I think she was one of my favorite coaches I played with on USA because she taught us to have energy and be passionate for our teammates, for ourselves in general," Tuck said. :She has such a love for the game and it rubs off on everybody she coaches."

Semrau was an assistant coach to Jen Rizzotti as the U.S. won the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile. The team not only included Stewart and Tuck, UConn's top two scorers, but former Huskies Stefanie Dolson, Bria Hartley and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis. Semrau didn't need much prodding to talk about either Tuck or Stewart.

"I think Morgan is an unsung hero," Semrau said. "She is somebody who in the short corner is just deadly and that is what I want Ivey Slaughter to do.

"She (Stewart) is one of the best players on the planet, what can't she do? I know if I were coaching her there would be a lot of things but as a spectator, as an opposing coach, I think she is a special player."

What's interesting is that not only did Semrau coach both Stewart and Tuck with USA Basketball but so did the head coach of UConn's next opponent. LSU's Nikki (Caldwell) Fargas was an assistant coach on the U.S. U-18 team in 2012 and 2013 U-19 squad featuring Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson.

There was rarely any middle ground when Morgan Tuck was growing up. Her strict but fair parents went to great lengths to teach Morgan and older sister Taylor right from wrong and not to be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

I have found Tuck's parents to be very much like their daughter - respectful and somewhat content to remain out of the spotlight. When they were among the parents to send letters complaining about the coaching tactics of the Illinois coaching staff (Morgan's older sister Taylor just finished her four-year run at Illinois), I was a little surprised. However, Morgan believes that they were merely acting in a fashion consistent with how they raised their family. They also waited until Taylor's playing days had come to an end so it was not a case of the Tucks acting like stage parents but instead believing it was the right thing to step up about the allegations including systematically trying to create racial tension within the team.

"My mom is a little more outspoken than my dad but I think it does mean a lot because our parents always taught us to stand up for what you believe in and stand up for what you believe is right," Tuck said at Monday's American Athletic Conference women's basketball media day. "Taylor told me all the time about her experience at her school and when I compared it to mine, it was completely opposite not only winning and losing but how you enjoy it. I think what they are trying to do is make it better for the people who are there and hopefully nobody else has to go through what she has to go through when she was there and I think it means a lot.

"Winning makes a difference but just my experience and I really enjoy being at UConn, I enjoy the people I am around and I couldn't see myself being anywhere else. It is something I wish Taylor could have had and I wish she would have had the same experience I have had."

As for Taylor Tuck, she is currently enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth taking classes so she can pursue a Masters degree as she looks to have a career in health administration.

VETERAN COACH FERNANDEZ GIVING BACK TO USF
I've heard of coaches making financial gifts to their schools including Geno Auriemma and his wife Kathy coming up with the lead gift of $80,000 to the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund at UConn.

South Florida coach Jose Fernandez and his wife Tonya have also gone about giving back to the school that has brought them so much joy and stability as he became the first active USF coach to endow a scholarship.

The first Jose & Tonya Fernandez Women's Basketball Scholarship will be given out next season and at AAC media day he discussed what led to this generous move.

"I am going into my 16th season, my wife and I are very passionate about the school and there are so many things we can do," Fernandez said. "We get caught up in winning games, I've had so many wonderful student-athletes that I have had an opportunity to coach and you want to leave a legacy.

"Tampa and USF has been home for us and we wanted to do something that other people step up and follow and our end goal is to have all of them endowed. We get paid pretty nicely to coach women's basketball so something like that we can give back, I am very lucky to have the opportunity to be able to do it."

Having his wife's name on the scholarship is also very important to Fernandez.

"She runs the house, kids, dogs and my wife does a great job on social media," Fernandez said with a laugh.

Neither Fernandez nor his wife can determine who is given the scholarship, that will be handled through USF Foundation channels.

"He is that kind of guy," USF All-American guard Courtney Williams said. "He and his wife are great people so it wasn't a surprise to me because I have known him for four years. I think he has been with this program for a long time and he is well respected and I definitely think it is a great thing."

There is another chance to make a run at championship glory before Moriah Jefferson teams up with Breanna Stewart in the quest for an unprecedented fourth straight women's Division I national title in the upcoming season.

Stewart, the only returning player from the U.S. team which finished seventh in the 2011 Pan Am Games, and Jefferson will be among the headliners as the U.S. opens play in the Pan Am Games today at 9 p.m. against Brazil.
Jefferson is pretty fired up about the chance to make her Pan Am Games debut and to play alongside Stewart once again.
"She is my teammate and I love her to death," Jefferson said. "Any time you can play especially in that setting, we are representing our country, I can't wait.
"We have been playing together since I can't even tell you how long now and it just seems like second nature to be on the same team. It is kind of weird that Morgan (Tuck) isn't there this time but we understand that she has things that she needs to take care of."
Tuck overcame multiple knee surgeries to play a starring role in UConn's national championship run last season so she opted to pass on the chance to attend the trials used to select the Pan Am Games and World University Games squads.

Few people were surprised when Jefferson, a first-team All-American as a junior as well as the winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award presented annually to the nation's top point guard, However, before getting to UConn Jefferson got a taste of what it is like not to make the cut for a national team so she didn't think it was a foregone conclusion that she was going to make the squad.

"I know what it feels like to be cut because I have been there coming in and I didn't make it for a couple of years and then  the past couple of years I have been on the team," Jefferson said. "I never take anything for granted, I go out there, play my hardest and hope I make the team."
Four years ago the Pan Am Games were played in late October meaning that many top programs weren't volunteering their stars to suit up for the U.S. The result was a seventh-place finish as the U.S. posted a 2-2 record. Stewart, the only high school player on the squad, was surrounded by under the radar prospects. Avery Warley is the only member of the team on an active WNBA roster. Kayla Standish was 19th overall pick in 2012 WNBA draft while April Sykes, Christine Flores and Katelan Redmon were also selected in the draft in '12. Stewart averaged 15.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and also led the team with nine blocked shots. It would not be a reach to suggest that a team consisting of the players failing to make either the World University Games or Pan Am Games squads would be better than the U.S. team competing in the Pan Am Games in 2011.
Stewart, Jefferson and South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell are among the top prospects for the 2016 draft. Kelsey Plum, who was the No. 7 scorer in Division I as a sophomore, and Stephanie Mavunga are among the highly-touted underclassmen on the squad giving the U.S. a much better chance at success than the team had four years ago.

The U.S. faces the Dominican Republic on Friday before wrapping up pool play on Saturday against Puerto Rico. A potential showdown with Canada could await in the medal round. If that occurs, Jefferson could find herself guarding her UConn teammate Kia Nurse.
"It is really special," Jefferson said. "It is really exciting to be able to do what she has done on her national team then to come over here, play and win a national championship in her first year so I know they really are proud of her."

Morgan Tuck wanted so much to be taking the court alongside UConn teammates Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart this summer.

The versatile Tuck would have been a good fit for the talented U.S. team taking part in the Pan Am Games next month but it didn't take much prodding for her to err on the side of caution.

After undergoing multiple procedures on her knees, Tuck was able to play in all 39 games during the 2014-15 season. Perhaps she would have been healthy after taking part in trials, practices and games with the U.S. this summer but she simply didn't want to take any unnecessary risks so there will be no USA Basketball duty for Tuck this summer.

"I really wanted to play," said Tuck on Monday while working at Geno Auriemma's annual Golf Fore The Kids tournament at the Hartford Golf Club. "They didn't have a team for me last year so I was really looking forward to this year. The positive is to get more time at home, I get to see my family and I get to rest my body which I think is good.

"I have a lot of time to spend in the gym, get some shots up and work on my ball handling so I am just going to try to improve my skill set."

Part of her time away from UConn was spent in Grand Rapids, Michigan as she worked at a basketball camp with her sister Taylor, a recent University of Illinois graduate.

"It was my mom's high school reunion," Tuck said. "We went and one of the guys does camps and things like that for the community and we kind of took over one of his camps. They had a clinic in the morning and we kind of taught basic basketball, encourage those people in that part of Grand Rapids because it is not the best part so we are trying to bring same positivity, show them that this is where we started out, we used to live here and you can be successful and play at highest level."

Having spent some time in Grand Rapids before moving to Bolingbrook, Illinois and now with her parents living in Virginia, I asked Tuck how many hometowns she has. She joked that she has been to Virginia so infrequently that she is not ready to call that a hometown just yet.

Tuck was part of a star-studded three-member recruiting class when she came in with Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart so she is a perfect person to ask about the current freshman class of De'Janae Boykin, Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson.

"They are really good and work hard so I think they will be successful here," Tuck said. "They are handling it well. When they come in, they don't know what to expect. They have never had to do some of the things we are going. I think the summer is kind of a good buffer where it kind of gets you in a little. you see what we are about, how hard we work and how we are supposed to conduct ourselves. I think the summer is a good way to dip your foot in and I think they are handling it well. They are fitting right in. Of course they have their freshman mistakes where you have to teach them what to do."