Accolades for the Huskies, preparation and lots of chatter at the Final Four

UConn’s Brianna Stewart messes up the hair of head coach Geno Auriemma during a press conference Saturday in Tampa. (Photo courtesy The American)

TAMPA, Fla., April 4 — My goodness, how spoiled we are in Connecticut. It’s the only state where one can order tickets to the NCAA women’s basketball Final Four months in advance and there is an excellent chance that the hometown Huskies will be there. Sunday, the No. 1 Huskies will play Maryland in the semifinals and if things turn out the way Connecticut (36-1) wants, there will be a championship game appearance on Tuesday night.

On Saturday, awards were presented and there was plenty of talk about UConn’s quest for their third straight NCAA championship and a record-tying 10th title under head coach Geno Auriemma. Our friends from Litchfield County Sports.com are in Florida and we’re pleased to share their stories with you.

UConn’s Brianna Stewart, left, was named the AP Player of the Year for the second straight season. She shares a smile with Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Saturday in Tampa. (Photo courtesy, The American)

• UConn junior Brianna Stewart was named the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press for the second straight year and was awarded the Wade Trophy. Junior point guard Moriah Jefferson, Stewart and senior sharpshooter Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis were named to the WBCA All-American team. More on the accolades for the Huskies from veteran UConn reporter Rich Elliott.

Litchfield County Sports’ Rich Elliott, left, and Rick Wilson chat with Rebecca Lobo Saturday at the Final Four.

• Kara Lawson and Rebecca Lobo were both stars in college at Tennessee and Connecticut, respectively. Now, both women are expert commentators on ESPN. The two women shared their thoughts with the media at breakfast. More from Rick Wilson.

Maryland coach Brenda Frese, far right: “We’re not going to concede anything. We’re competitors, too.” (Photo courtesy University of Maryland)

• Maryland basketball coach Brenda Frese and the Terrapins were impressed how Dayton played with the Huskies for 20 minutes in the regional final a week ago. Frese hopes Maryland (30-1) can stir up some Easter magic of their own against the Huskies Sunday night at 9 p.m. on ESPN. More from Tim Gaffney.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is seldom shy with his opinions. It’s very refreshing,

• It’s the Final Four and the stage belongs to UConn’s Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma. “The relentless wit and quip leaves you gasping and laughing, ask him how the state of the men’s game is these days or the women’s game for that matter,” writes Rick Wilson. “Many are afraid to trash their own sport particularly on the eve of the biggest event. Geno  isn’t. Never has been. He is bitingly honest with foe or friend and player.” Read Rick’s insight on Auriemma at the Final Four.