ESPN.com - No. 4: UConn

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Tuesday, November 12, 2002
No. 4: UConn

By By Dan Hodes

Last Season: 390, National Champion


	It's Diana's turn in the spotlight.

The one constant throughout UConn's decade of dominance is matchup headaches at the wing: Kerry Bascom in the early '90s; Nykesha Sales in the mid-'90s; Shea Ralph and Svetlana Abrosimova as the millennium turned. And now it's Diana Taurasi's turn. The six-foot junior (14.5 ppg, 5.3 apg) is the nation's most versatile player. Problem is, she's rolling nearly solo: The rest of the Huskies boast a grand total of five career starts. That's where frosh Ann Strother steps in. A 6'2" shooting guard by trade (think Dirk Nowitzki with longer blond hair), she could add even more Excedrin to opponents' pregame plans. "She's perfect for us," says Geno Auriemma, "because you can't define her by a position." In other words, get ready for more dominance.

One Step Ahead: UConn always has multitalented stars, and Auriemma knows how to tailor his system to take advantage. A slew of guards? Bascom's crew sprinted to the Final Four. Rebecca Lobo and Kara Wolters? A post-intensive offense for the crown. This season, it's the Taurasi show. You can bet Geno will turn up the dial.

One Step Behind: It's hard to argue with Auriemma's success in turning newbies into stars. But even he admits he can be a little intense for some freshmen. Now he turns his glare on Strother and fellow frosh Nicole Wolff, Willnett Crockett and Barbara Turner. All have All-America talent. Do they have the mettle to match?

2002-2003 NCAA PREVIEW
WOMEN
1. Duke Blue Devils	5. LSU Tigers
2. Tennessee Volunteers	6. Texas Tech Red Raiders
3. Kansas State Wildcats	7. Texas Longhorns
4. UConn Huskies	8. Stanford Cardinal

This article will appear in the November 25 issue of ESPN The Magazine.