Diana Taurasi expressed her appreciation Tuesday for Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt putting out the welcome mat for her appearance here Sunday as a member of the U.S. senior national team.
Summitt has implored local fans to respect Taurasi's presence as a U.S. player for the 3 p.m. exhibition game and not be motivated by her history as a UT nemesis when she played for Connecticut.
"That was a very nice gesture,'' Taurasi said during a teleconference. "That just shows what kind of a person Coach Summitt is. You always respect what she's done as a coach, and what she's done for women's basketball."
Taurasi then playfully added, "I'd like them to boo us a little bit. That would be fun."
Later, Taurasi joked that she and fellow UConn alums Sue Bird and Swin Cash, who are part of the U.S. squad for its collegiate tour, had petitioned to wear their Connecticut jerseys for Sunday's game.
Bird apparently has been brought up to date on the extensive renovations at Thompson-Boling Arena, the site of Sunday's game.
"I've heard that the arena is not orange (anymore),'' she said. "I'm kind of disappointed about that."
The U.S. squad also features Lady Vol alums Kara Lawson and Loree Moore. Before playing at Tennessee, the U.S. tour will make a stop at Connecticut on Friday night. The players have taken note of these games since the regular-season series between the teams has been canceled.
"It will be the last time a Connecticut player will be at Tennessee,'' Bird said. "And it will be the last time a Tennessee player will play at Connecticut."
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Comments » 17
drwfocus writes:
If you can't read between the lines in Fleser's article, ignore this comment. Smart A$$ attitudes and comments start with the coach. After four years at CT as a player what do you expect. I say BOO - em Sunday - loud and clear.
fortandrews writes:
Pat is a CLASS person. Thank you Pat for what you mean to women's BB.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Diana is the best women's player I've ever seen, period. Holdzclaw had a few more tools, but mentally she would disappear at times.
Candace is outstanding, but she still doesn't bring 'it' to every game. Diana did and does. Before you female dog and whine, I'm a lifelong Pat Head fan; what has made Pat special to me is that she has overcome a LOT of hurdles.
Let's put it this way: UConn had Diana for four years, and, yeah, they beat UT pretty much all those years. However, the games were CLOSE (almost always), which says a lot when UT didn't have it's best talent and UConn was loaded. Then you have Diana, the best women's player ever...
Nice going, Pat; you really earned your money in those years.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
yeah, that has to be why she could come off a reverse screen and pop the j with the game on the line. Had to be the whining.
Look, it's okay if you are being a jerk. Thing is, you diminish UT when you diminish their opponents. So, you are telling me the lady vols couldn't beat UConn those years because Uconn whined and female doged??? That's really slamming your home program, ace.
Oh, and BTW, don't bother telling me 'how' or 'who' to root. Maybe learn to be a fan of the game instead of being an ignorant ass.
DadwasaVol writes:
Yes, Diana may have been the best. I saw her in Hartford throw down a very clutch three that defeated the Vols who, seemingly, had the game won. She was responsible for more Tennessee losses than any player, ever, and that's saying a lot. Broke my heart, repeatedly.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
wow, you guys do know your BBall!!! Do you remember when Holly played? She was one tough cookie. That's DT as well. She broke our hearts a few times, but that was my point. If you gotta lose, you want to lose to the best.
Now, if we'd lost to Rutgers, I might have hung up my internet connection for good :)
As for Geno: at one time, he said something that goes like this: someone had asked him about the 'changing of the guard' sort of question when uconn was beating us, and he said (to paraphrase) "well, they had Chamique and kicked out tails, and now we have Diana", basically saying that great players can make you look like a genius....
brokebackvol writes:
Despite all the rancor, I will still miss the annual battle this winter - it just didn't get any better than the Lady Vols vs UConn and Meano Geno. I hope they will get put in the same bracket every year in the NCAA - womens hoops isn't the same without that rivalry. I know Pat has her reasons and I respect her without reservation, but that doesn't mean I won't miss the contest.
drwfocus writes:
Glad to see you are a fan of the game LazhilUTDelt - I am sure you would rather support a great game than see your home team win. Taurasi was and is a very good player. Did she b---- and whine? Yes, like a lot of very good players at all levels. With her talent why did she do that? Wonder if it had anything to do with Geno? For an answer read most of the posts on here. As a fan of the Lady Vols I will be there for this game and I will pull against the other team and players as I see fit and cheer loudly for the VOLS. Others can choose to do as they please.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I remember when they were serving the Tiffany Johnson special of the day: STUFFED RIZZOTTI.
betz writes:
Taurasi is a great player, not sure better than Candace by the time CP has as much experience. Holdsclaw was still the most exciting player - tragic that she couldn't keep it together. Taurasi has the killer instinct like Seffi Graff and Monica Seles where they get better when the game is on the line - I'm not sure CP has that kind of toughness.
orangebloodgmc writes:
And yet, being a skilled player does not mean you can't also be a classless jerk. Its not a matter of one or the other.
betz writes:
Can argue that Taurasi is not a total ass - at least on the court.
betz writes:
Can't argue that Taurasi is not a total ass - at least on the court.
utclassof1992 writes:
Vonda Ward, now that's one tough cookie.
http://www.wban.org/biog/vward.htm
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
DT seems to be one of those players looking for someone to beat her. CP? Well, she seems to be (don't hit me!!!!) a little less combative. DT is almost like a guy in some ways (and I'm not referring to sexual preferences, so don't get all hurry)..
Athletically, CP is a marvel. At some point, she may just be the best women's player of all time. Then, you add supermodel looks, intelligence, charm (from what I've heard)...so, yeah, CP still has a ton of upside.
betz writes:
Hope they put Anosiki on Taurasi - she would send her a welcome.
utclassof1992 writes:
Put Vonda Ward on Taurasi. That would be the quietest DT has been in a while.
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