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Message: [QUOTE="BBallF, post: 4237747, member: 10435"] It has been a very long and difficult season. Perhaps the toughest ever considering the pre-season expectations and talk of unmanageable depth with the POY returning. Looking back, there were times, like after the Oregon loss, where never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would become the team we have. Something happened along the way though. First it was Caroline with that poker face and dagger against DePaul, then it was Evina going to the bench, then it was Azzi slaying the Vols, and then the loss in conference to Villanova and the very bottom. It seemed as though we would never be able to be more than the team that involuntarily ended very old and very venerable streaks. But every time a player returned, the team became better not just by addition, but, in an almost preternatural way, by multiplication. The intensity increased not proportionally, but for the team as a whole. And now, you cannot help but just love this team. So unselfish, so many weapons, with each of the players having their own journey and emerging as a different version of themselves as a player. Christyn has become a stronger, more confident offensive player and a top notch defender. Liv has also become an assist maker at the center position. Dorka has become a smart passer and excellent 3 point threat. Evina has become this all around weapon with a new found speed and offensive confidence who can defend, lead and command respect. Aaliyah is getting better every game and her defense is punishing, just ask Ms. Seigrist. Nika has emerged as not only a recognized great defender but a 3 point shooter. CD is now a tough defender and an all around scorer, from 3, posting up, pulling up, driving, cutting and not having any, and I mean any, freshman reticence. Azzi is now a game changer, a pure shooter, a driver, and a smart and tight defender. And Paige, she is the last piece of the puzzle to go into place and that story is still not near its end this season but her return alone has been cathartic. The point is that everyone has changed, evolved, refocused and rededicated individually as a player and now as a team. They are just a hell of a lot of fun to watch now. Knowing what they have gone through, the pressure, the doubts, the personal setbacks and losses, the injuries and the sickness, I am amazed at where we are now. It would have been very easy to go through the motions for the rest of the season. Of course, that would not have been UCONN. I suppose that is the point here. They have become a UCONN team, playing UCONN defense, passing the UCONN way, and having fun. Honestly, I am sorry we have so few games left. Every game now that we have everyone back except Aubrey, there is something new and different, something better. We are fans and of course we love our team. But this team, knowing what they have been through and seeing what they are now, tugs at your heart in a way no other one ever has. . [/QUOTE]

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