TCU looks for ways to top UConn, have fun
By Drew Irwin
Skiff Staff

For the last two years, the women’s basketball team has left the NCAA tournament after a tough second-round battle.

TCU hopes to end that streak, but to do that, it’s going to have to upset Connecticut, one of the greatest teams in women’s college basketball, tonight in its second-round matchup.

Prior to a loss to Villanova before the start of the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies had won 70 straight games. They rebounded from that loss with a strong 91-44 win over Boston Sunday.

“(Connecticut) has done a phenomenal job with their program,” head coach Jeff Mittie said. “That streak they put together is one of the best in sports, anywhere.”

The Lady Frogs know that the odds are against them. They not only have to face a tough Huskies’ team, but they have to do so in front of Connecticut’s home crowd.

“We’re going to have to face a very hostile crowd, and that will be a different situation for us,” Mittie said. “It rivals the Tennessee game, but this time there’s much more on the line.”

But in a tournament where upsets are few and far between, reality is setting in. However, that will not stop the Lady Frogs from enjoying themselves.

“We don’t have anything to lose,” Mittie said. “We know there aren’t many people expecting us to win, but we’re just going to lay it out on the line and have fun out there.”

However, Mittie said he can’t help but think about the possibilities if the Lady Frogs could beat the odds.

“Its hard for me to put into words what this will mean for our program,” Mittie said. “It would, without a doubt, be the biggest upset in the tournament this year, and it would be another big step for our program.”

The players agree.

“(Connecticut) is a great place to play,” sophomore forward Niki Newton said. “Just playing in the same gym as all the players that have played at UConn will be amazing.”

Mittie said slowing down UConn’s explosive offense and limiting second chances will significantly improve the Lady Frogs’ chances to win.

He also said the first half will be crucial if TCU wants to pull off the victory. The Lady Frogs managed just 17 points against Michigan State in the first half, while the Huskies scored 49 in the first half of their first-round game, one point less than the Lady Frogs’ scored all game.

“We need to get off to a big start,” Mittie said. “Those first 20 minutes will be critical if we want to have any success.”

Mittie said senior guard Candace Baldwin and the rest of the Lady Frogs’ guards will have to play well for the team to have any success.

“How (Baldwin) controls the tempo will be critical,” Mittie said. “With the kind of crowd we’re going to face, the guard play will make a big difference.”

Connecticut has a 32-1 record coming into tonight’s game. The team has a balanced offense, with 10 players averaging 10 points or more a game. The Huskies are also averaging 75 points a game and holding their opponent to only 52 points.

Drew Irwin