John A.: Sources say west coast team to play UConn at Mohegan in Dec.

[pap49cba]

In addition, another source confirmed Monday the UConn women and the Naismith Hall of Fame are working at putting a non-conference game, mostly likely against a west coast team like UCLA, USC or Gonzaga, into the Mohegan Sun Arena in December 2014.

“There are a number of possible opponents,” said the source. “It will be sorted out over the next few weeks. But the chances of it happening are very good.”

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John Altavilla @jaltavilla · 5h
The specifics are still being worked out. Two things apparently certain: No @accwbb or @LadyVol_Hoops

 

[DaddyChoc]

there's no ACC teams nor is the LadyVols on the west coast... so they werent even thought of when "west coast" was mentioned

 

[rvwsleep]

there's no ACC teams nor is the LadyVols on the west coast... so they werent even thought of when "west coast" was mentioned

Is this a statement or a question ?

 

[jsloanjr]

Its the LA Lakers.............Make it a round robin type weekend......USC, UCLA and Gonzaga all come......God knows they would never be on TV unless they were playing UCONN

 

[ochoopsfan]

UConn vs
UCLA = Slaughter
Gonzaga - Manslaughter
USC = Murder

 

[pppggg]

I see this as a move to further diatance UConn from the Hartford Civic Center and to futher the relationship with the Mohgan Sun.

The the Sun and UConn, it's a about the Benjamins.

The Sun gets a packed house at a time when things are usually slow there because of Christmas.

Not sure what UCon gets out of it other than more national exposure but somehow money is envolved. Maybe the Sun kicks in a little somehting for the effort to the school.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

I see this as a move to further diatance UConn from the Hartford Civic Center and to futher the relationship with the Mohgan Sun.

The the Sun and UConn, it's a about the Benjamins.

The Sun gets a packed house at a time when things are usually slow there because of Christmas.

Not sure what UCon gets out of it other than more national exposure but somehow money is envolved. Maybe the Sun kicks in a little somehting for the effort to the school.

Well also, Parking is free at the SUN.... instead of $10 in Hartford or however much at Gampel. Also more things for people to do at the Sun...

 

[connboy77]

I hope the team UCONN plays is UCLA or USC!

 

[vtcwbuff]

"The Sun gets a packed house at a time when things are usually slow there because of Christmas."

I've been there quite often during the holidays including spending nights in the hotel - I'm not sure that statement is true.

Personally, I think we can point to Auriemma as the reason UConn plays there. Last year both Geno's Pub and his Fast Break Food Court were slammed with fans on AAC tournament game days.

 

[sTu]

A nice memory.

Diana's senior year and UConn was playing USC following a night at the beautiful Pepperdine campus. I sat next to Mr. Taurasi (but that is another story ). The USC game was a low scoring, hard fought battle with Ebony Hoffman USC's best player. With around four minutes to go UConn was still down seven or so points. My wife and I had flown to California as part of celebrating our anniversary. Although, not in the happiest of moods I was sitting about ten rows up from the UConn bench. Sub 4:00 in the game Diana gets the ball at the top of the key and I notice this large 6-5 black man with his hands raised above is head (just like me) jumping up and down as the ball settles through the net. I recognize Michael Cooper. Sub 3:00 to go in the game Diana has the ball around five feet behind the arc and Michael Cooper has his arms raised going crazy (just like me) as the ball once again settles through the net. Next UConn possession Diana with the ball in the 30-35ft range from the basket and Michael Cooper already looking just like me again because he must have seen this scenario out West in Diana's formative days. As the two of us are absolutely going crazy Diana with her usual no conscience launches what turns out to be the game winner from "out there."

Only thing better was Mr. Taurasi giving me hug after the game.

What an anniversary present.

 

[Waquoit]

Well also, Parking is free at the SUN.... instead of $10 in Hartford or however much at Gampel. Also more things for people to do at the Sun...

It is unbelievable how people obsess over parking. And it's about 45 miles from the XL Center to the Sun. At 30 mpg and $4.00 for a gallon of gas that's $12. and an extra 1.5 hours of one's time.

 

[Alydar]

It is unbelievable how people obsess over parking. And it's about 45 miles from the XL Center to the Sun. At 30 mpg and $4.00 for a gallon of gas that's $12. and an extra 1.5 hours of one's time.

That is relevant if one lives next to the XL. I'm sure fans in E.Ct would disagree with your cost analysis. As for myself, it's much more important how far I have to walk from the parking lot to my seat than how much it costs.

 

[pppggg]

"The Sun gets a packed house at a time when things are usually slow there because of Christmas."

I've been there quite often during the holidays including spending nights in the hotel - I'm not sure that statement is true.

Personally, I think we can point to Auriemma as the reason UConn plays there. Last year both Geno's Pub and his Fast Break Food Court were slammed with fans on AAC tournament game days.

my wife works there. the take is always down in December people are spending on gift. new years eve is, however, packed.

 

[Vowelguy]

UCLA would be great. They've got a super frosh class, so would be fun to see them. And I think the Bruins will be very good in subsequent years so if this could lead to a series with them ...

 

[vtcwbuff]

It's about 2.5 miles from my house to the Sun. At 20 mpg round trip is less than a buck. On top of that, no traffic, free parking, entertainment, great restaurants and an arena better suited to watching a bball game. IMO the Sun has it hands down over Hartford. I would prefer Storrs but the older I get the more Gampel sucks.

 

[ochoopsfan]

A poster on the UCLA Forum said it will be UCLA that is going to Connecticut. Return trip for UConn the following season.
So does this mean that UConn v Stanford is now replaced with UConn v UCLA, or do you continue with both?

 

[Blakeon18]

ochoops: both for sure.

 

[UConnCat]

A poster on the UCLA Forum said it will be UCLA that is going to Connecticut. Return trip for UConn the following season.
So does this mean that UConn v Stanford is now replaced with UConn v UCLA, or do you continue with both?

Probably both, which will mean a west coast trip every season for as along as both series continue. I recall that UConn wanted to play UCLA in LA next season (on the trip west to play Stanford) as a homecoming game for KML but the scheduling didn't work out for November. This is great news and kudos to Cori Close for stepping up.

 

[ThisJustIn]

I love Mr and Mrs T. So genuine.

 

[Kibitzer]

A nice memory.

Diana's senior year and UConn was playing USC following a night at the beautiful Pepperdine campus. I sat next to Mr. Taurasi (but that is another story ). The USC game was a low scoring, hard fought battle with Ebony Hoffman USC's best player. With around four minutes to go UConn was still down seven or so points. My wife and I had flown to California as part of celebrating our anniversary. Although, not in the happiest of moods I was sitting about ten rows up from the UConn bench. Sub 4:00 in the game Diana gets the ball at the top of the key and I notice this large 6-5 black man with his hands raised above is head (just like me) jumping up and down as the ball settles through the net. I recognize Michael Cooper. Sub 3:00 to go in the game Diana has the ball around five feet behind the arc and Michael Cooper has his arms raised going crazy (just like me) as the ball once again settles through the net. Next UConn possession Diana with the ball in the 30-35ft range from the basket and Michael Cooper already looking just like me again because he must have seen this scenario out West in Diana's formative days. As the two of us are absolutely going crazy Diana with her usual no conscience launches what turns out to be the game winner from "out there."

Only thing better was Mr. Taurasi giving me hug after the game.

What an anniversary present.

We (Mrs. K, Cheese Danish, and I) were at those games (Pepperdine & USC). No contact with Michael Cooper or Mr. T., but I can contribute one amusing anecdote.

Before these games, we had a lot of BY traffic about where to eat in Malibu before the Pepperdine game. Relying on on-line info, I suggested what seemed to be (and was) a nifty beachside restaurant. Once there (about a dozen of us), we met an interesting couple who introduced themselves as Ann Strother's parents. Delightful people.

When asked how they had (coincidentally?) found the same restaurant as we had, they responded candidly, perhaps a little sheepishly: "We read about it on the Boneyard." DOH!

I guess there's a moral to this little story but I can't identify it.

 

[connboy77]

A poster on the UCLA Forum said it will be UCLA that is going to Connecticut. Return trip for UConn the following season.
So does this mean that UConn v Stanford is now replaced with UConn v UCLA, or do you continue with both?

If it is UCLA, why wouldn't the game be at UCLA, KML'S last year?

 

[Vowelguy]

I love Mr and Mrs T.

There's a Mrs T? Does she wear the gold chains too?
I pity da foo that messes with her man.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Well also, Parking is free at the SUN.... instead of $10 in Hartford or however much at Gampel. Also more things for people to do at the Sun...

I never paid 10.00 for parking in Hartford... actually I never paid a penny

 

[UConnCat]

If it is UCLA, why wouldn't the game be at UCLA, KML'S last year?

UConn tried to schedule a game at UCLA as part of its west coast trip to play Stanford in November. UCLA didn't have an opening on its schedule at that time so UConn instead scheduled a game at UC Davis.

 

[jdubct]

Probably both, which will mean a west coast trip every season for as along as both series continue. I recall that UConn wanted to play UCLA in LA next season (on the trip west to play Stanford) as a homecoming game for KML but the scheduling didn't work out for November. This is great news and kudos to Cori Close for stepping up.

Both coaches from Stanford and Uconn want to play each other for the forseeable future. I would guess that Uconn would want to play another west coast team like UCLA or USC every year especially if they provide a challenging game.