BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Geno Auriemma hasn’t lost too many NCAA tournament games in Connecticut. The Hall of Fame coach was hard pressed to remember a harder regional than the one his Huskies will face this weekend in Bridgeport. Top-seeded University of Connecticut (31-4) will play No. 5 Maryland (26-7) in one semifinal Saturday. Second-seeded Kentucky (29-5) will face Elena Delle...
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Geno Auriemma hasn’t lost too many NCAA tournament games in Connecticut.
The Hall of Fame coach was hard pressed to remember a harder regional than the one his Huskies will face this weekend in Bridgeport.
Top-seeded University of Connecticut (31-4) will play No. 5 Maryland (26-7) in one semifinal Saturday. Second-seeded Kentucky (29-5) will face Elena Delle Donne and No. 6 Delaware (32-3) in the other.
“There are four great teams, lots of marquee names, lots of interesting side stories, and that leads to a great environment,” said Auriemma, whose team has won 41 of 42 NCAA games in the Nutmeg State.
UConn’s lone blemish came against Duke in 2006 in the regional final. That game was also played in Bridgeport.
If Delaware and UConn do make it through, it would set up an intriguing final. Delle Donne originally signed with UConn before leaving after a short stay to return home to Delaware.
“I haven’t allowed myself to think about that,” Delle Donne said. “All year our team has said just focus on the next game. If we were thinking about UConn, we’d overlook Kentucky. We’re focused on Kentucky to hopefully advance.”
Delle Donne is one of three reigning conference players of the year still around in Bridgeport. Many fans might be surprised to learn UConn is the only team that doesn’t have one.
“I think this is one of the more difficult first-round games of the regionals. And the other game, yeah, you got really good players on every team,” Auriemma said. “I’m sure every region has got their own, but I don’t know that anyone has more than what exists here. Kentucky’s back again and Maryland’s in again.”
The Huskies beat the Terrapins by 15 points in the Jimmy V Classic in December. Two-time ACC player of the year Alyssa Thomas had just six points. UConn star Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis played five minutes before suffering a concussion. She’s healthy now.
The first game features two stars in Delle Donne and two-time SEC player of the year A’dia Mathies.
Mathies, who had a stomach bug, matched her career high with 34 points in the second-round win over Dayton.