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Message: [QUOTE="Inthepaint, post: 4061202, member: 11386"] It's not the years, it's the mileage. On the body and in the mind. Case in point: Was just watching the Big East Tournament Final from 2001. Tournament was held in Gempel that year. Sue had suffered a back injury in the Semi-final against Rutgers the night before. Was obviously in great pain and only about 50-75% of 'Superbird" But she was in the starting lineup against Notre Dame. Since ND had handed the Huskies a surprise thumping in South Bend earlier in the year, I imagine there would have been quite an interesting conversation if someone had told Sue to "sit this one out". She was very quiet and tentative, and was playing limited minutes in a close, grinding contest (Ruth Reilly was mostly the grindee) when two issues arose in the 2nd quarter. 1) Diana T. got into some mild foul trouble that took her off the court for a few minutes 2) Worse, Shea R., playing with her usual "Tasmanian Devil"intensity that was always worth the price of admission, was giving the Irish all kinds of headaches and indigestion, on both sides of the court, when she suddenly went down with a knee injury that took her out of the game. Swinn, Adja, Tamika, etc., were keeping the Irish at bay at this point. As Shea was being walked off the court, Geno and CD huddled with the obviously rattled troops to settle them down. I didn't see anyone talking with Sue or even looking at her in any special way. Nor did she try to cheer lead or pep talk the other ladies. But when play resumed it suddenly seemed like there or 2 or 3 #10's in blue uniforms on the court. Blocking, forcing turnovers, hitting 3's, making pinpoint passes into the post, you name it. The only time Geno felt it necessary to coach at all was when he loudly berated Sue for some sort of real or perceived defensive lapse. I guess the whole S.O.B. thing has proven to be quite effective, but I couldn't help a $#&*!! upon seeing that one. Sue didn't bat an eye, being too locked in. Guess it's called leading. She capped it off with a leaping half-court shot that, somehow, went in the basket as time expired in the half. Did someone say "Storr-ybook" scenario? The crowd at Gempel and the Husky bench went crazy as the team, led by Sue, went into the locker room. The rest is, of course, part of the ongoing "UCONN Mystique". I thought of two things. 1) How special Sue was and is on the court, and how she can pretty much accomplish anything she sets her mind to. 2) How much I hope some or all of the current Huskies will watch that game and some others to see what kind of commitment and dedication it takes to be part of the UCONN "League of Extraordinary Ladies" and overcome any obstacles or adversity to reach the top of the mountain. I think, just maybe, Paige is off to a promising start and on her way, but only time will tell. Let's reconvene in 2024-2025 and compare notes. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach

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