OKLAHOMA vs. NO. 2 UCONN
When: Sunday, 4 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Records: Oklahoma 74; UConn 90 TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: UConn/IMG Sports Network, 97.9 FMESPN Hartford, WAVZNew Haven (1300 AM), WICCBridgeport (600 AM), WINEDanbury (940 AM), WGCHGreenwich (1490 AM)
KEEP AN EYE ON
Changing roles: UConn’s Geno Auriemma will miss Sunday’s game after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to alleviate symptoms associated with diverticulitis. Associate head coach Chris Dailey will slide over one seat on the bench to fill Auriemma’s shoes.
“It’s not going to be any different,” point guard Crystal Dangerfield said. “She expects the same level of play, intensity, and attention to detail as he does. It’ll be the same thing.”
This will be only the 10th game Auriemma has missed over 35 years at UConn. The Huskies have won the previous nine, including games at Tulsa and Wichita State last February when Auriemma was out with a stomach virus.
“CD may be a little more particular than he is at times, but I think it’s the same,” Dangerfield added.
Battling it out: Christyn Williams is fighting herself a bit. Shots aren’t falling as easily of late, which has her frustrated.
Over the last four games, the sophomore guard is averaging 12.7 points on 21of47 shooting.
“I don’t know,” Williams said, when asked to identify the root of her scoring slump. “It’s a great question. I feel like I’m in my head a little bit, which is normal, I guess.”
Williams believes she’s being guarded more aggressively this year, partly because Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson are no longer around to draw doubleteams. She’s tried to help in other ways, specifically as a rebounder. Williams pulled down a careerhigh 11 boards in Monday’s win at DePaul.
“I feel like last year, things came a lot easier,” Williams said.
Three’s a party: The Huskies will go from facing the second best 3point shooting team in the country to the 11th best. DePaul hit 11 treys and finished at 34 percent behind the arc against UConn.
“They probably just don’t have as many players that want to shoot them,” Dangerfield said of Oklahoma. “They have two, specifically, that are going to shoot them and make them most of the time. DePaul, anyone who came in was a threat from behind there.”
Oklahoma sophomore Taylor Robertson leads the nation with 56 made 3pointers. Ana Llanusa is next on the team with 19.
History at a glance: UConn has won all 12 meetings against Oklahoma, including an 8270 victory in the 2002 national championship game. Most recently, the Huskies beat the Sooners 7263 last December at the Lloyd Noble Center.
PROBABLE STARTERS OKLAHOMA
Taylor Robertson Tatum Veitenheimer Gabby Gregory Ana Llanusa Mandy Simpson
Crystal Dangerfield Christyn Williams Megan Walker Kyla Irwin Olivia Nelson-Ododa
G G F F F 14.1 16.0 22.1 4.5 12.4
— Doug Bonjour