These are such great interviews. Geno is relaxed, candid, not exhausted like he normally is during a post-game presser.
His answers to the questions of how the players are reacting to the "legacy" aspect of this rivalry were revealing -- this all developed before they were born, so it's natural that they are focused more on Thursday's game than on the history of the rivalry. Talking to them about the early days in the '90s was probably like Geno's comparison, a couple of weeks ago, of Paige & Azzi with Blanchard & Davis -- a remark that passed right over the heads of most of the sports writers present.
I want to bring up a point that was mentioned in the DePaul post-game presser, which has apparently since been taken down. Somebody asked Geno about Jana, and the possibility that she might be pressed into service to fill out this season's roster and maybe even help the team to go all the way. I loved Geno's answer. Sure, it might help to have Jana in reserve on the bench, come tournament time. And it could even help in putting the team over the top. But would this be in the best interest of the player/student? Would it be fair to use up one of her four years of eligibility, even if it meant nailing down another championship this year? Clearly, it would not. . . . I like to think that most coaches in America would similarly find that question a no-brainer to answer. Or -- I should clarify -- most WOMEN'S coaches. The men's recruitment uses an entirely different standard; if they can get an outstanding freshman to take their team to a national championship, and he then wants to turn pro right away, who cares about all those plans for getting a 4-year college degree?