In a different world, Kayleigh Heckel might be facing UConn in the Elite Eight again

[BRS24]

Starting Five: In a different world, Kayleigh Heckel might be facing UConn in the Elite Eight again

Plus: Geno goes off on the NCAA's two-site regional format, again.

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Before Heckel picked UConn, she heavily considered the Fighting Irish and even took a visit to South Bend. There was plenty that attracted her to Notre Dame.​

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Auriemma was intrigued by the point guard but didn’t know if she would be consistent enough to make an impact at UConn.​

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“When she was in high school, she was what you see out there now, except a little more raw, a little wilder. Just flying up and down the floor and not a whole lot of thought about whether it was going to end up good or bad,” Auriemma said back in November.​

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The coach’s opinion changed when he saw Heckel perform with a national title contender in USC. It helped that the Huskies got to see her up close and personal in two games against the Trojans, too. When Heckel hit the portal, UConn reached out right away and brought her in for a visit.​

After that, she was sold — though it took some time for her to officially make a decision.​