A Connecticut farewell, in Bird fashion
Sue Bird tried to make like it just another day, another game and another fond farewell as her season of fond farewells winds down.
“She said to the coaches today, she was ‘peaceful,’ and I love that,” Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn said. “Knowing that you’re getting your flowers, you’re getting your recognition and you’re going out on your own, there’s something to say about that. But obviously, there’s a little extra juice when you’re back in
Connecticut and have more of the fans cheering for her than probably the Sun at some points.”
Bird, 41, who announced her intention to retire on June 17, came to play the Sun for the last time on Thursday night, at least by the schedule. The Sun and Storm, two of the best teams in the WNBA, could meet in the playoffs, but there would be no time for gifts and ceremonies under those circumstances.
So this was Connecticut’s chance to say farewell to one of its own, and both Bird and the fans, 9,137, were up for the moment. The Mohegan Sun Arena was sold out, the first time for a WNBA game since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.
“It’s pretty special to know that people are looking at their calendars, seeing when I’m coming to town and making the effort,” Bird said. “I look at all of these things as celebrations.”
And Bird, though she scoffed at the notion, appeared to turn back the clock, playing like a kid again. She scored 14 points with seven assists, and the Storm, though they lost 88-83, outscored the
Sun by 13 while Bird was in the game.
“If you only knew,” Bird said. “If I were 25 or 26, I would have had 30 tonight. What did I get, six shots off ?”
Through her days at Uconn, in the WNBA and with USA Basketball, Bird hasn’t lost many games in her life, and certainly not in this state. This one got away in
games in 2021, got his foot stuck in the grass during the team’s last offseason workout and tore the ACL in his kicking leg.
He had successful surgery at noon Friday but will be out for the season, Mora said.
“Obviously that’s a big blow. He’s an outstanding kicker. He’s also a guy that would be a backup punter for us. He’s a team leader. He’s someone our players really respect. He’s dependable. And we just wish him a speedy recovery. I know that he will continue to have an influence on this team even though he can’t do it on the field,” Mora said.
Noe Ruelas, a sophomore from Hall High in West Hartford, will replace Mcfadden. Ruelas broke the state high school record for longest field goal when he nailed one from 56 yards out in September 2019.
“We have a lot of confidence in Noe to go in and kick for Joe,” Mora said. “In talking to (special teams coordinator) Doug Shearer through spring it was, ‘You know, we’ve got two really good kickers.’ And so, the next man’s up. We wish Joe the best and feel really awful about it, however we’re excited about Noe.”
A different experience: Linebacker Jackson Mitchell has been one of the few bright spots on the Uconn defense for the last two seasons.
“It’s definitely been a different experience (than year’s past) I would say just because of what it was like when I first got here and what it’s like now. It’s definitely felt like a revolution,” Mitchell said. “Everything has pretty much switched up and turned around even when it comes to the building, to the team, the coaches and all that type of stuff. It’s definitely been exciting and definitely motivating as well.”
“It’s given a new hope, I would say.”
Mitchell, a known leader for the Huskies, attributed some of
his hope to the dedication of his teammates. Over the summer, guys were consistently getting in extra work and holding each other accountable, according to Mitchell. A multidimensional offense:
Uconn’s offense was near the bottom of the FBS in nearly every statistic in 2021. Now, the offense has been completely revamped under new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Charlton.
First-string running back Nate Carter built his body over the summer to adapt to it.
“Looking back at last year, one of the things I wanted to improve on is being more durable,” Carter said. “Putting on that muscle, putting on that body fat so I can be able to take more hits and have more longevity throughout the season so I can be able to go out and perform to the highest potential I possibly can each and every game.
“I believe that we’re going to run the football a lot, but also pass the football a lot.”