UConn will be hard-pressed to keep streak going
Connecticut's Maya Moore is still a force, but she's going to need help from newcomers such as former North Babylon star Bria Hartley. (Nov. 4, 2010) Credit: AP
It's an all-too-familiar question: When will the Connecticut women lose?
Few sports these days can boast a team that has exhibited the type of dominance that two-time defending national champion Connecticut has.
Geno Auriemma's crew has won 78 straight games, 10 short of the all-time college record of 88 set by John Wooden's UCLA Bruins in 1974.
With only two seniors back and five freshmen expected to get significant minutes, reaching that record will be difficult for Connecticut. Three-time Associated Press All-American Maya Moore is back, but even she realizes the monumental task the Huskies face.
Tina Charles and Kalana Greene graduated, and junior guard Caroline Doty, a starter in 38 games last season, tore her ACL in August and will miss the season.
"I think each year presents a new set of challenges and this year is unlike any other," Moore said at Connecticut media day. "With everyone that we will be missing this year, and all of the freshmen, there is just a lot of pieces that could present a challenge to us this year that we didn't have last year."
Other key returnees for the Huskies include senior guard Lorin Dixon and junior guard Tiffany Hayes. North Babylon graduate Bria Hartley is one of five freshmen expected to see significant time.
Connecticut will be challenged early when it hosts second-ranked Baylor and 6-8 sophomore sensation Brittney Griner on Nov. 16.
"It will be up to us and me to make sure that the team is ready to come the first game," Moore said.
Other teams in the mix include No. 3 Stanford, which fell, 53-47, to Connecticut in the championship game last year. Xavier, with its frontcourt duo of Amber Harris and Ta'Shia Phillips, Tennessee and Duke, led by Jasmine Thomas, are all candidates to end Connecticut's reign.
Ohio State, with Commack's Sammy Prahalis and All-American center Jantel Lavender, travels to New York on Dec. 19 to face Connecticut in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden.
It will be Connecticut's 10th game of the season, which means all eyes will be on the Huskies if they are undefeated heading into the matchup. A 10-0 start would tie UCLA's all-time consecutive wins mark.
