NCAA Tournament 2000

Connecticut Huskies
RECORD: 36-1 COACH: Geno Auriemma | SEASON RESULTS

OUTLOOK

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First round: Defeated Hampton, 116-45

Second round: Defeated Clemson, 83-45

Sweet 16: Defeated Oklahoma, 102-80

Elite Eight: Defeated LSU, 86-71

Final Four: Defeated Penn State, 89-67

Championship: Defeated Tennessee, 71-52

Depth and a suffocating press have been the Huskies' greatest strengths all season. In any one game, juniors Shea Ralph or Svetlana Abrosimova, or sophomores Sue Bird or Tamika Williams, can step up as the offensive catalyst. Bird's performance at point guard was what the Huskies were missing last season -- when they collapsed in the Sweet 16 -- and should help carry the Big East champs into April. Preventing the transition offense, particulary Big East Player of the Year Ralph on the fast break, is the key to holding the high-scoring Huskies in check. To really challenge UConn, however, opponents need to have a solid ball-handler at point who can also handle the Huskies' stifling defense, which is holding opponents to 55 points a game. There's no question UConn, which has won 11 straight games since losing by one point to Tennessee on Feb. 2, is the best team in the land. Now, in their 12th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, can the Huskies put it all together when it matters most?

PROBABLE STARTERS

F - Swin Cash (6-2, So., 10.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
F - Svetlana Abrosimova (6-2, Jr., 13.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
C - Kelly Schumacher (6-5, Jr., 4.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
G - Shea Ralph (6-0, Jr., 14.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
G - Sue Bird (5-9, So., 10.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

NOTABLE

NCAA Tournament titles: One
Final Four appearances: Three
Best finish: 1995, National Champions
Total NCAA appearances: 12
NCAA Tournament Record: 25-10
Last NCAA appearance: 1999, lost to Iowa St, 64-58, regional semifinal

RANKINGS
Final ESPN/USA Today Top 25 ranking: No. 1.
Final The Associated Press poll ranking: No. 1.
Final Ratings Percentage Index ranking: No. 2.

NO. PLAYER              POS    HT    CLASS
10  Sue Bird             G     5-9     SO
11  Kelly Schumacher    F-C    6-5     JR
13  Marci Czel           G     5-7     JR
14  Keirsten Walters     G     5-8     SO
15  Asjha Jones          F     6-2     SO
20  Stacy Hansmeyer      F     6-1     SR
23  Kennitra Johnson     G     5-7     FR
25  Svetlana Abrosimova  F     6-2     JR
32  Swintayla Cash       F     6-2     SO
33  Shea Ralph          G-F    6-0     JR
34  Tamika Williams      F     6-2     SO
41  Paige Sauer          C     6-5     SR
44  Christine Rigby      C     6-6     JR


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