UConn’s newcomers are expecting some nerves in exhibition opener
Jefferson Univerity vs. UConn in Storrs Sunday, 1 p. m. ( Radio: 97- 9 ESPN)
STORRS— Murray State transfer Evelyn Adebayo admitted shewas a bit starstruck when she walked into Gampel Pavilion for the first time this summer and saw national championship banners hanging from the rafters.
That begs the question, how will Adebayo and her fellow new comers, freshmen Aubrey Griffin and
Anna Makurat, handle the enormous pressure and fanfare associated with all that success?
Sunday’s exhibition opener in Storrs against DivisionII Jefferson University ( 1 p. m.) won’t present any concrete answers, but it may yield a few clues about that and more before the real games begin for the UConnwomen’s basketball team aweek later.
“I’m sure there’s going to
be some nerves because it’s their first time playing a game in a UConn uniform,” senior point guard Crystal Dangerfield said.
Most players, including Dangerfield, treat the exhibition schedule as a welcomed change of pace from the monotony of practice.
However, Geno Auriemma views it a bit differently. To him, it’s more of a chore than anything.
“Tome,” the UConn coach said Friday, “the only positive in having these exhibitions is that you get to rekindle these connections.
You say, ‘ Well, we have a whole bunch of Division II or Division III schools available that you could play. Who do youwant to play?’ Some placewhere I know somebody.”
Essentially, that’s how Jefferson ended up on this year’s schedule. Jefferson is coached by one of Auriemma’s longtime pals, Tom Shirley, and is located in the same city— Philadelphia— inwhich Auriemma grew up.
“That adds another fun element to it,” he said. “We’re not going into this thing as a tuneup for the national championship. I don’t think Jefferson’s coming up here going, ‘ You know what, I think if we play really, really, really well, we can beat Connecticut.’ Jeez, I hope they’re not thinking that. They may be. It’s going to be fun.”
The truth is, Auriemma would rather conduct a practice than coach a glorified scrimmage. These mismatches of epic proportions generally comewith very little to gain, especially for a program of UConn’s stature. They often leave coaches, Auriemma noted, with false perceptions of success or failure.
UConn last played Jefferson before the 201314 campaign, with the Huskies winning 9328. The Huskies, ranked fifth in the AP poll, tip off this season Nov. 10 against Cal at Gampel Pavilion.
“We’ve had a number of exhibitions over the years that have gone really, really, really well. We’ve had a whole bunch that have gone really poorly, where I’ve come out of exhibitions going, ‘ This is the worst team I’ve ever had.’ Neither of those are ever true,” Auriemma said.
Sunday will serve as a test run for the 11time national champions, and nothing more. So, too, will Wednesday’s game in Hartford against DivisionII Trevecca Nazarene. Still, there’s some excitement about returning to game action following weeks of practice.
Dangerfield suggested if it was up to her, she’d play 40 minutes. While that’s obviously not going to happen, the American Athletic Conference Preseason CoPlayer of the Year said she’s finally practicing fully again after undergoing surgery on her left hip inMay.
“I’m good,” Dangerfield said. “Endurance has been there from the getgo. I’m just ready to play.”
Added Auriemma: “She’s actually been practicing great. I would say, of all the kids on the team, she’s been the most consistent in practice, which is good. She needs to be.”