Penn State meets UConn in Final Four

By Gwenn Miller
Collegian Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA — Swin Cash and her Connecticut teammates have a score to settle with the Penn State women's basketball team. Although the Big East-champion Huskies (34-1) won the December matchup with the Lady Lions, they still have something to prove.

Cash, a Pittsburgh native, felt a bit slighted by a quote by Penn State coach Rene Portland that ran in the Chicago Tribune several weeks after the contest.

Tonight at 9, the Huskies and the Lions (30-4) will meet again at The First Union Center in the NCAA Tournament Final Four. And both opponents will be seeking redemption.

For Cash and her fellow post players, it's a chance to take advantage of the bulletin board fodder. Even after the 87-74 win, Connecticut was nonetheless left with a disgruntled attitude.

"The quote was that their post players pretty much killed our post players," Cash said.

Photocopies of the suddenly infamous quote soon found its way into the lockers of the Huskies forwards and centers, courtesy of assistant coach Chris Dailey. It has hung in each space since that day, although Cash refused to disclose the quotes' current whereabouts.

But Cash wasn't the only one refusing to disclose something.

"Well I'm not sure I was quoted correctly, considering what I'm dealing with," Portland said. "Killed is not the word, because we lost, but I felt that was an area that once we got started and it wasn't 17-4, that is where we got the area started."

There are two accounts of the story, but both sides agree that they are ready to let their play speak for itself.

The two teams are almost as opposite as North Carolina and Florida in terms of NCAA playoff experience. The minds of Connecticut coaches and players are brimming with Final Four memories, while Penn State's players are waiting to write their own. Portland is making her first visit to the Final Four as a coach, while the Huskies' Geno Auriemma has been there on three previous occasions. Both Portland and Auriemma hale from the Philadelphia area, but both are treating their homecomings differently.

"It's almost like your wedding day," Portland said. "They (her players) are the brides right now, and they should remember everything that's happening, keep a smile on their face, take great pictures, and when it's time to say 'I do', get to work."

Auriemma, on the other hand, is emphasizing focus with his team. He also said he wanted to downplay his Philly connection so that the spotlight can turn to the players.

And both teams have no shortage of players who deserve the limelight. Connecticut boasts two Kodak All-Americans in forward Shea Ralph and guard Svetlana Abrosimova. Penn State point guard Helen Darling was also named to the first team. Penn State also has two players who are looking forward to impressing a home crowd.

Center Andrea Garner and key reserve Rashana Barnes are both Philly products, and have enjoyed playing tour guide to their teammates.

"We went to my family's house last night for dinner, and the reception was great," Garner said.

As for Cash, she's having fun experiencing Pennsylvania's other major city and it's hottest commodity — cheesesteaks.

"I had one as soon as I got here," Cash said. "I'm sure I'll be having plenty more."