The Nadal and Federer of Women's Hoops

UConn, Tennessee share NCAA spotlight; don't miss this one

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 18, 2009 10:12 AM CDT

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The Nadal and Federer of Women's Hoops — Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma speaks to reporters Monday, March 16, 2009, in Storrs, Conn., after the team was made a No. 1 seed in the NCAA women's college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

It's too bad the women's NCAA tournament is scheduled against the men's, writes Frank Deford for NPR: The conflict means too many viewers will miss the unstoppable force that is this year's Connecticut women's team. Sure, knowing the undefeated Huskies will win their sixth title since 1995 (to five for Tennessee) takes away the suspense, but their technical mastery more than makes up for it.

Rarely have two teams been so good for so long, and the fact that their showcase takes place in the shadows is an argument for shaking up the hoops calendar, Deford writes. He wants the women's tourney moved to February so fans can focus: "If I were a boys high school coach, I would make it mandatory for my team to watch this year's Huskies—playing the game correctly, exquisitely, at both ends of the court."
(More NCAA stories.)

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