“I don’t visualize,” Thibault said. “I pray.”

Still, there was one idea the Sun coach thought would immediately help his team, asking starting guard Renee Montgomery, the former UConn first-team All-American, to accept a role coming off the bench.

Montgomery started all 34 games last season and 57 of the 68 regular-season games she’s played since being acquired from Minnesota in January 2010. She had become accustomed to it, as had her friends and family. But Thibault felt using Montgomery in this capacity would give his team the adrenaline and production it has sorely lacked.

“I’m just doing what I feel is right for our team,” Thibault said. “I am hoping Renee sees this is a pretty good role for her, if she takes it the right way. Problem is, everyone she knows is asking her why she isn’t starting. I think people are way too hung up about who starts. It’s the most overrated thing in basketball. I hope she is discovering that finishing the game is a pretty good thing.”

If results are an indication – and let’s face it, there is no better barometer – the move has been the best thing that’s happened to the Sun, and perhaps Montgomery, in a very long time.

Friday at the Mohegan Sun Casino, the Sun improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 with an 83-79 win over San Antonio. For the third straight game, Montgomery came off the bench.  But she played 27 minutes, 21 seconds, three minutes more than her career average. And she led the Sun with 23 points, shooting 8-of-16 with three assists.

Montgomery is averaging 24.6 minutes, just slightly below her previous standard (26.4) in the first 102 games of her career. She has scored 49 points  (16.3), four points more than her career average.

Truth is, Montgomery has been slow to buy into the plan. The longer a career, the more accustomed players become with the idea that starting is important, particularly from a personal pride perspective.

“Like I’ve said, I’m just going to come in and do what I do,” Montgomery said. “I’m not going to change my approach. I’m still going to approach these games with the same focus and I would never let a decision like that effect my team, because if I come in feeling bad for myself, that’s ultimately hurting the team.”

Ironically, the 23 points were the most scored by a Sun bench player since Montgomery scored 33 against Minnesota in 2010. And as she is learning, the environment she enters from the bench is much the same it is if she was starting

“A lot of the times I come in, the starters are still in,” Montgomery said. “It’s not as if I’m playing against the other bench players. A lot of times I come in kind of early, and sometimes we don’t have the momentum That’s tough because when you start the game and nothing has happened, you can decide the momentum.

“Still, I’m glad I am finishing the game. It would be terrible if you don’t start and then don’t finish it.”

What’s clear is that discussing the topic has already become stale in the Sun locker room. Asjha Jones, the team’s veteran leader, would rather the tendency to dissect the decision go away as soon as possible, preferably before the season resumes Friday against the defending champion Minnesota Lynx at the casino.

“We don’t talk about it. We don’t care,” Jones said. “The lineup was changed again [Friday, when Allison Hightower started for Kalana Greene]. We just play. We don’t care.

“Renee is playing great. She doesn’t care. It’s not a big deal. Each player is different. Some players can’t do it because they get fidgety waiting. She doesn’t. It’s more of change if it happens in midseason. We’re only three games in, so it’s not like we already had had a set style.”

.

It’s a nice coincidence to have on your side.

Renee Montgomery came off the bench again to score a game-high 23 points, Tina Charles added 18 points and eight rebounds and Asjha Jones chipped in 16 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead the Sun to a 83-79 win over San Antonio.

Danielle Adams led the Silver Stars (1-1) with 21 points, including the first eight her team scored.

“This is a really good win against a team we’ve traditionally struggled with,” Sun coach Mike Thibault said. “We’d lost three of the last four against them.”

The Sun is now 3-0 for the first time since 2008 and has a week to revel before next Friday’s showdown with the defending champion Minnesota Lynx at the casino.

“We still have a lot of work to do and can’t be satisfied,” said Sun guard Allie Hightower. “There’s a long season ahead of us.”

Charles needed four rebounds to reach 800 faster (72 games) than anyone in the 16-year history of the league. She got those – and more.

“Tina is that good [of a player] and the generation of players that has come in the league with her is much better,” Thibault said. “Tina has a gift, a knack to go get the ball. It’s [rebounding] obviously highly important, but it speaks to her dedication to be a great player, in all phases. That’s why she’s a captain. She’s a no-nonsense person and everyone in the league respects her. She knows when it’s time to go to work.”

Charles also came into the game with 47 double-doubles in 71 games, just three from Taj McWilliams-Franklin’s club record of 50, which took her 241 games to compile. She has had 21 games with at least 20 points.

Thibault reprised his early-season strategy, starting Danielle McCray for Montgomery and using Montgomery as a spark off the bench. And he made one more switch, placingHightower in the lineup for Kalana Greene so she could guard San Antonio’s Becky Hammon.

“It was huge for us. You have scoring and energy at every position and the capacity to interchange starters [in the backcourt],” Thibault said. “I think Renee may have more chances to score than she did when she was starting. When she comes off the bench, we need her to be an aggressive scorer. Look at the NBA and see how many players can do that. We need that. And our bench can actually give us a pick-me-up, instead of just holding down the fort. We can increase what we’ve done or make up for what we haven’t done. It’s been good.”

Montgomery is not particularly happy about this, but she has done exactly what Thibault intended, scoring nine points in the first quarter to help the Sun to a 23-19 lead afterAdams opened the game by scoring San Antonio’s first eight points.

“We forget we were supposed to guard her,” Thibault said.

Montgomery’s 23 points were the most for a Sun player since she came off the bench to score 33 at Minnesota in 2010.

“I see our team playing well and we have since the start of the season,” Montgomery said. “I don’t know how good we would have been either way [the lineup]. We’ve looked different since training camp, so I can’t really say if this is the reason.”

UConn, DePaul, Hampton, Marist, Purdue and Wake Forest had previously confirmed.

Click here to see a video of the visit, produced by the Mohegan Sun.

It’s just that I love numbers, statistics, sports history. And Charles is turning into Hemingway of the WNBA, writing new pages in the record books just about every time she plays for the Connecticut Sun.

On Friday at the Mohegan Sun Arena – and leave early, down-staters, it’s Memorial Day weekend – Charles will likely do it again. She needs just four rebounds against San Antonio to reach 800 in her career faster than anyone who has ever played in the WNBA.

She is already the fastest to 400, 500, 600 and 700 rebounds, Charles will play her 71^stgame Friday. Natalie Williams currently holds that record in 72 games, then quickly progressed to 900 (83) and 1,000 (92).

In just her first two seasons in the league, Charles already has secured the two highest single-season rebounding totals in league history with 398 in 2010 and 374 in 2011. No one had ever had more than 363 [Cheryl Ford] in any season.

“She is that good and the generation of players coming in with her are that much better,” Sun coach Mike Thibault said Thursday. “Tina has a gift, a knack to go get the ball. It’s obviously highly important, but it speaks to her dedication to be a great player, in all phases. That’s why she’s a captain. She’s a no-nonsense person and everyone in the league respects her. She knows when it’s time to go to work.”

The Sun completed a season-opening sweep of the New York Liberty last Sunday with a 92-77 win at the casino; Charles shot 11 of 15 in 30 minutes with 11 rebounds. In last Saturday’s 78-73 win at Madison Square Garden, she scored 19 with 13 rebounds.

Charles already has 47 double-doubles. The franchise record is 50, set by Taj McWilliams-Franklin. It took McWilliams-Franklin 241 games to do it. The WNBA record for the fastest to 50 double-doubles belongs to Natalie Williams, who did it in 91 games. At her current pace, Charles would have 162 double-doubles by her 241^st game.

In just her first two seasons in the league, Charles already has secured the two highest single-season rebounding totals in league history with 398 in 2010 and 374 in 2011. No one had ever had more than 363 [Cheryl Ford] in any season.

When you see numbers like that, which NBA player comes to mind?

“It’s just humbling. It keeps me motivated, keeps me going to see how much more I can accomplish. My guy used to be Kevin Garnett, but now I am more into Tim Duncan,” Charles said.” As my game as evolved, I have realized I am more a finesse player, not as much a power player like Sylvia Fowles or Dwight Howard. I’m even watching tape of Tim Duncan so I can continue to pattern my game after him.”

Thibault, a former NBA assistant in Los Angeles, Chicago and Milwaukee, sees the same thing.

“There has been a maturity to her now. When she came out of college, she was still a college kid,” Thibault said. “She sees basketball now as a profession she wants to excel at.

“I’m not much for making comparisons to male players, but I she has much the same demeanor as Tim Duncan. As much as I love Lindsay Whalen, and I love her to death, this person [Charles] has the chance to make a leave an imprint in this league that is really good.”

This from USA Basketball….

USA Basketball Men’s and Women’s National Teams will embark on their 2012 training and exhibition tour schedule in July and will feature a stop in the nation’s capital for an exhibition doubleheader on July 16 versus Brazil at Verizon Center. The rare USA Basketball men’s and women’s doubleheader will be both teams’ final domestic game before continuing their respective tours in Europe.

“We’re excited to be able to host the doubleheader exhibition game and provide a unique opportunity for the city and the surrounding metropolitan area to come and see the USA Basketball men’s and women’s national teams,” said David Touhey, senior vice president and general manager of Verizon Center. “There is simply no better way to send off the U.S. teams this summer than from right here in the nation’s capital.”

Tickets for the July 16 exhibition doubleheader at Verizon Center will go on sale May 30 through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Verizon Center box office, via Phonecharge at 800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. The women’s game will take place at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) followed by the men’s game at 8 p.m. (EDT).

“July 16 will be a memorable night as the USA Basketball Men’s and Women’s National Teams take on the national teams from Brazil at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman.  ”Brazil is a respected international basketball power on both the men’s and women’s sides.  These exhibition contests will be the final games on U.S. turf for both teams and they will offer basketball fans a very special night of international basketball.”

But if UConn women’s basketball fans want to see New York, they can take Metro North, the tour bus or brave the West Side Highway at rush hour. As if relates to SNY, its ambitious goals and 14 million viewers nationwide, the constituency of the seven-time national champions has just one simple request; well, it’s actually more of a demand  – televise and treat “our girls” in the fashion they are accustomed.

That’s what SNY plans to do. That is why they aggressively pursued the women’s basketball television contract when it came due after 18 years with Connecticut Public Television and will pay the school $1.1 million a year for the next four seasons.

“The UConn program is the standard for women’s college basketball,” said SNY President Steve Raab, a former Milford resident. “When I was a kid, UCLA was the men’s standard. And UConn is so clearly that on the women’s side. Having lived in the New Haven area, I find it remarkable that a women’s basketball program can have this kind of impact on an entire state. And you see that manifested in their television ratings. In every respect, it rivals the storied men’s program.

“And when you layer on top it the success and stability of the program, which Geno Auriemma represents, we’d like to believe UConn women’s basketball will be a power for a long time to come.”

From the SNY executive suite Wednesday, Raab said the network is committed to the best interests of the vast UConn viewership, whose nervousness about this new landscape he and Curt Gowdy, Jr., the network’s senior vice president of production and executive producer, are acutely aware.

For those viewers who chose not to buy SNY on their cable systems, Raab said live streaming, like CPTV’s HoopStreams was, will be available on its website – for a price still to be determined – through an association it has with MLB Advance Media, which broadcasts March Madness and among other shows. Only DishNetwork subscribers will not be able to see the UConn women because the satellite service does not provide it.

Gowdy, Jr. – the son of the legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster, with more than 25,000 hours of live sports telecasts on his resume – is in charge of molding the coverage, pregame to postgame and everything in between.

He will hire the announcers and studio hosts. His vision will take “The Geno Auriemma Show” in a new direction. There will a new show, tentatively scheduled to be called “Geno’s Legacy” which plans to feature the coach sitting and chatting with one of his players who has made a difference.

“One thing the viewers will get is more compelling and comprehensive coverage of the team then they’ve ever seen before,” Gowdy said. “We will try to put bows around the games. You want to tell the story from the beginning of the day to the end. This is our opportunity to be attached to one of the most historic programs in the history of college sports, a program that develops young women that go on to be professionals and mentors and not only in basketball. And they are taught by one of the greatest mentor of all, Geno Auriemma.”

Raab and Gowdy said a major emphasis will be made to develop features that tell the story of UConn and their players, past and present, away from the court. SNY will hire talent for pregame and postgame shows for conference games and specials and a sideline reporter, all new to the UConn audience. Familiar faces such at CPTV’s long-time broadcast team, Bob Picozzi and Meghan Culmo, are among those being considered.

“We will have more access to Geno during and before games,” Gowdy said. “There hopefully will be enhanced audio with Geno in places the audience hasn’t seen or heard before.”

There is a sense at UConn  that the approach will be new, the quality of production equal to what Mets fans see in the summertime. SNY will produce and televise of its games. It does not plan to take feeds of other telecasts, as CPTV often had to do.

“We believe the quality of the production will be extraordinary as SNY has television professionals with decades of experience,” said Mike Enright, UConn’s associate athletic director for communications. “We believe postgame and pregame wraparound shows will be terrific in addition to “The Geno Show.”

Enright said UConn is excited about exposing its school and athletic program to into SNY’s vast audience.

“The ability to draw a different demographic to our program, women’s basketball in general, is very appealing,” Enright said. “It is no mystery we need to sell more tickets to games so we are looking at brining more fans from a different demographic, while maintaining our same demographic.”

What will not change is the number of telecasts SNY will have available. It will be somewhere between 17 and 21, once ESPN and CBS make their choices. The majority of Big East games will be on SNY as will most of the non-conference contests that don’t involve big name opponents, like Texas A&M, Duke, Baylor and Stanford.

There will be times when all three UConn  programs are playing on the same day. The Huskies football team’s last two games are at Louisville (Nov. 24) and home against Cincinnati (Dec. 1), both potential game days for men’s and women’s basketball. Raab says there will be plenty of time once the schedules are released – around Labor Day – to figure out what needs to be done to deal with potential conflicts. He says SNY is committed to telecast each game awarded to it.

“There will be few if any conflicts with football,” Raab said. “As for basketball, we carry many men’s game, including other Big East schools. But when we sit down in advance of the season to schedule games, settling conflicts are easy, whether it means not taking another men’s game [not UConn] because it may have another outlet or move the game a few hours in some direction.

Raab said SNY will work with UConn to determine what starting times are best for the women.

“Our druthers would be to take a night game,” Raab said. “The viewership is higher at night. But if it’s best for the program to have more weekend day games, that will be their call and we will adjust. That’s a part of the collaboration you need to have. We need to support each other. UConn is a better judge of what’s best for itself, its school and its fans.”

.

So on Sunday, with her two sisters by her side, Dolson got into a prop plane that took off from The Blue Sky Ranch in Gardner, N.Y. And when the plane reached about 14,000 feet, Dolson, with her guide, Steve Webb, harnessed securely to her, crossed off another line item on her bucket list by jumping out of the plane and taking the 6-minute ride of her life, the first 60 seconds of which was in free fall.

And you thought playing in the Final Four was a rush?

“My only thought about her skydiving, besides please don’t let my girls die, was please don’t let Stefanie get hurt,” said her mother, Kristal. “That’s because, how in God’s name would she explain this.”

Before setting the plane into motion, Dolson spoke about her quest with both UConn associate head coach, Chris Dailey, and assistant Marisa Moseley. Not only did both sign off, but Dailey, who has skydived before, offered her prized post some tips on what to do – and not to do – when elevated for the ultimate sky hook.

“When she asked Chris and I if she could do it, I was the one that was nervous about it,” Moseley said. “I said, ‘are you sure you want to do this?’ But Chris has done and once she found of that was the case, it was fine and we were fine with it.”

Stefanie Dolson said the opportunity to do it was prime.

“This has been in the works for about a year,” Dolson said Wednesday. “We planned on doing it this summer because I didn’t have a lot going on. For the first time in so many years there was no USA Basketball for me to play. This was the summer that I could just come home and plan it with [my sisters]. I didn’t want to wait any longer. We probably could have done it in July [after summer school], but I just wanted to do it as soon as possible. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever to do this.”

Stefanie Dolson is 20; apparently forever for some.

Dolson’s father was going to jump, too, but he’d recently injured a meniscus and was advised against it by his physicians.

“We didn’t get as much training as I thought we’d get,” Stefanie Dolson said. “It was basically just watching videos. I didn’t really get nervous until I started filling out the [waiver] forms and you saw the small print about how you could possibly suffer a fatal injury. Then when you watch the video, you see there’s a lot more to do than you may have originally planned. You don’t just jump out of the plane and ride. You actually pull the cord [on the parachute]. You have directions to follow. That’s when I started to get nervous.

“I was so excited. When you are in the plane, you determined; you know you have decided to do it. And the guides were the coolest guys ever. My guide was hilarious. He kept me laughing the whole time. When we finally got ready to jump, I can’t tell you what was going through my mind, although he [the guide] told me not to look down and just keep my eyes on my sisters to my right. We just smiled at each other, he yelled ‘go, go, go’ and we all kind of just fell out. It happens so fast.”

Stefanie Dolson said she considered the possibility of injury – or worse – because her mom naturally shared her concerns.

“She said, ‘Stef, what if you get hurt.’ It could have happened, but the guide saw I was wearing my UConn basketball shirt. My mother also told him about her reservations about me [getting injured]. So he made sure that I didn’t even touch the ground on the land. My legs were straight out in front of me. He was the same height as me, so it all worked well.”

Webb, is 6-7 and has jumped 10,000 time in his career. He said Dolson’s athletic ability was clear and helped make the experience memorable.

“Some people are just born with amazing athletic ability,” Webb said. “She has the perfect makeup to dominate whether she was eating potato chips or being a world class Division I center. She showed talent and focus.

“But I will tell you; I know enough about UConn women’s basketball to understand that there was no way in the world I was ever going to let anything bad to happen to Stefanie. Those fans would have cooked me.”

Of course, the Big East is probably talking about it even as we speak at their annual spring meetings in Florida. Who is coming, who is going, who is staying, who is happy … all that interesting stuff.

And then everyone plays golf

Saw and heard something interesting this morning about how the athletic director at Texas, while admitting that the Big 12 wasn’t thinking about any more expansion, has been keeping its eyes on Notre Dame as a possible member.

The report first surfaced on cbssportsline.com. Read it here.

Apparently, the Big 12 would like to see the Irish come on board for all “olympic sports” which would mean no football, but possibly beach volleyball, bobsled and figure skating.

This all brings to mind all those conversations the media has had with Coach Auriemma about Notre Dame and its future; the Big East (finally for football), the ACC…

Now this….

Well, just click here and take a look for yourself and imagine the world without the Irish and Muffet McGraw’s ruby red heels.

Question:

Last week, I wrote to UConn President Herbst expressing my dismay at not getting UCWB on CPTV Hoopstreams.  We live in Maryland where none of the cable or satellite networks carry SNY.  I received a reply from the UC Athletics Dept that told us that SNY was planning internet streaming of the games.  What can you learn about this?  I wrote SNY to no avail.  UCWB on the net is very important to us rapidly greying expatriot Huskies.  Many Thanks

George Thomson
Churchville, MD

Mr. Thomson:

Answer:

I traveled to New York last week to visit with SNY executives for a story that should appear soon on the acquistion of UConn women TV rights. In short, like CPTV HoopStreams, SNY will be providing a streaming option for viewers who can not receive, can not afford or do not want to watch the Huskies on their network. And it will be priced in the same general area as CPTV’s HoopStreams was. The details are still being worked out.

The entire Connecticut Sun team, coaching staff and select members of the front office will be at the New London Community Meal Center on Wednesday from 4:30-6 to serve dinner.

  The New London Community Meal Center is at 12 Montauk Ave in New London.

 Please note that this is a private function and that Sun fans, as much as the team loves you, are asked not to attend so that those in need can be better served by the organization.

HERE IS THE RELEASE FROM USA BASKETBALL

The 12-member squad includes  Stewart (Cicero-North H.S. / North Syracuse, N.Y.) and previous USA gold medalists Bashaara Graves (Clarksville H.S. / Clarksville, Tenn.); Imani Stafford (Winward School / Los Angeles, Calif.); Tuck  (Bolingbrook H.S./ Bolingbrook, Ill.); and Jannah Tucker (New Town H.S. / Randallstown, Md.).

The team also features Jefferson (Texas Home Educators Sports Association / Glenn Heights, Texas); two-time trials participant Alexis Prince  (Edgewater / Orlando, Fla.); 2010 USA U16 National Team trials participants Kendall Cooper (St. Anthony H.S. / Carson, Calif.) and Allisha Gray (Washington County H.S / Sandersville, Ga.); and USA Basketball newcomers Lexie Brown (North Gwinnett H.S. / Suwanee, Ga.); Michaela Mabrey (Manasquan H.S. / Belmar, N.J.) and Brittney Sykes  (University H.S. / Newark, N.J.).

Three USA U18 team members, Cooper, Gray and Tucker, were added to the U18 trials roster on Sunday morning after beginning the weekend competing in the USA Women’s U17 World Championship Team Trials.

“I love it. I think it’s an unbelievable roster with great balance,” said USA U18 National Team and University of Miami head coach Katie Meier. “The committee did a fantastic job of really thinking through situations, scenarios and needs for an international game. What a great group of kids. I’m fired up.

“I think one thing that’s going to be great is the swing position. We’ve got nice length in the swing position, the three-fours are real long; we’ve got some great shooters. Then, some physicality in the post, with some point guards who push the tempo. So, it’s a dream roster for me. I’m really, really thrilled.”

Collegiate head coaches Nikki Caldwell of Louisiana State University and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga University will act as assistant coaches for the U18 team.

The team will regroup at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., for its first training camp from May 28-June 1. The USA squad will then return to the USOTC for its final training camp Aug. 4-12, prior to traveling to Puerto Rico for the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Leave your lawn without water in August and watch it wither. Take Charles out of the Sun lineup and chances are great the same thing would happen to the team most believe can challenge for the championship this season.

Charles, UConn’s former national player of the year, is off to another fast start in the midst of perhaps the most remarkable start any post player has ever had in the WNBA’s 16-year history.  And her domination should no longer surprise anyone. Come this August in London, Charles may very well start at center for the 2012 Olympic team as it tries to win gold for Coach Geno Auriemma in London.

And if the United States wins another gold, who’s to say Charles wouldn’t be acknowledged as not only one of the best centers in the WNBA, but the best center in the world?

The Sun completed a season-opening sweep of the New York Liberty Sunday with a 92-77 win in the home opener at the Mohegan Sun Arena. And Charles was again in charge, shooting 11 of 15 in 30 minutes with 11 rebounds. In Saturday’s 78-73 win at Madison Square Garden, she scored 19 with 13 rebounds.

In just 70 career games, Charles already has 47 double-doubles. The franchise record is 50, set by Taj McWilliams-Franklin. Thing is, it took McWilliams-Franklin 241 games to do it. The WNBA record for the fastest to 50 double-doubles belongs to Natalie Williams, who did it in 91 games. At her current pace, Charles would have 162 double-doubles by her 241^st game.

But there’s more. Already the fastest player to 400, 500, 600 and 700 rebounds, Charles needs just four more Friday against San Antonio at the casino to reach 800 in her 71^st game. Williams currently holds that record, too. She did it in 72 games  and then moved ahead to 900 (83) and 1,000 (92) in quick order.

In just her first two seasons in the league, Charles already has secured the two highest single-season rebounding totals in league history with 398 in 2010 and 374 in 2011. No one had ever had more than 363 in any season.

But it took Taj 241 games to do it. Do the math.

Charles also is four rebounds from reaching 800 faster than anyone in WNBA history.

Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the Sun opened the season with a determined win over the New York Liberty and then repeated the most popular phrase in horse racing these on the bus ride home for Sunday’s rematch at the Mohegan Sun Arena: I’ll have another.

And that’s what the Sun received. Led by Olympians Tina Charles (25 points, 11 rebounds) and Asjha Jones (20 points, eight rebounds), the Sun spotted the Liberty the first eight points of the game, took their first lead late in the second and then rolled to a 92-77 win at the casino.

“It’s an easy summation. If you win the rebound, free throw, turnover battle and shoot a better percentage, you should win,” Sun coach Mike Thibault said. And that’s what the Sun did, particularly at the free throw line where they outscored the Liberty, 26-15.

The Sun (2-0), who led just 69-67 with 7:50 play, has quick leg up on New York (0-2), perhaps their fiercest conference rival. And now they also have a few days off before the season resumes Friday here against San Antonio.  It’s Connecticut’s first 2-0 start since 2008 and its first time they won two games in two nights since 2008.

The Liberrty was led by Cappie Pondexter (18 points)  and Plenette Pierson (16).

“We are typically not a good road team,” said Renee Montgomery, who scored 1 “But to win one on the road, and then come back with another at home, that’s s a great way to start things off.”

It many ways the game was an opposite of Saturday’s, when the officiating in the first half blew the Sun’s stack to the tune of three technical fouls in the second quarter. Montgomery got one for looking crookedly at Denise Brooks. It was that testy.

On Sunday, whistles were reversed.  The Liberty had 16 fouls called on them in the first quarter to six on the Sun. That resulted in a point discrepancy of 23-6 from the line for the Sun. And that more than compensated for their putrid shooting in the first 20 minutes. Connecticut was just 10-for-33 from the floor while the Liberty shot 16-of-33.

Despite it all, the Sun ended the half on a 14-3 run that provided a 44-40 lead after that trailed 8-0 to start the game. The Sun kept the momentum  going in the third, opening a 67-59 lead heading into the fourth by picking up their shooting (11 of 18). The ended the game shooting 34-of-69 (44.9 percent), making 24 of their last 36 shots (67 percent).

“Other than the first quarter, at both ends, we were really very good,” Thibault said. “It might have been because of having dead legs from [Saturday], but we certainly turned it around in a hurry.”

note the absence of a popular former UConn player.

Seimone Augustus scored 19 points before leaving with bruised ribs, and the Lynx didn’t let up in a 105-83 season-opening victory over the Diana Taurasi-less Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.

“Once the banner went up and the lights went on and we started to warm up for the game, it was about 2012 and what we’re trying to do,” Augustus said.

The MVP of last year’s finals was hurt late in the third quarter when she leaped to save a loose ball and landed with her midsection on top of a courtside seat. Augustus stayed down on her knees for a few minutes and went to the locker room for examination, prompting a hearty cheer when she came back to the bench in the fourth quarter with the Lynx still comfortably ahead.

“We didn’t play poorly. We still have a long way to go, though,” head coach Cheryl Reeve said, relieved after a restless night hoping her team wasn’t too distracted by the arrival of those sparkling championship rings and the exuberant pregame ceremony.

Lindsay Whalen had 10 of her 13 points in the final 11 minutes to go with five assists and backup Monica Wright added 15 points and five assists in front of the announced sellout crowd of 12,611, the largest of the franchise’s 14 home openers.

“When Seimone goes out, I kind of feel like everyone needs to step up and do more,” Whalen said.

With Taurasi out due to a strained left hip flexor, the Mercury missed the league’s scoring leader in each of the last four seasons. Charde Houston, sent to the Mercury in a winter trade with the Lynx, scored 24 points against her old team on 5-for-11 shooting from 3-point range.

“Anybody who can score, it’s a good fit for her,” Phoenix coach Corey Gaines said of Houston’s ability to mesh with his fast-paced offense.

DeWanna Bonner had 22 points, Candice Dupree added 13 points and rookie Samantha Prahalis had 12 points and six assists but four turnovers in her debut. The Mercury were done in by familiar weaknesses: not enough defense or depth. The Lynx reserves outscored the Mercury’s 40-8, and Minnesota owned a 40-28 rebounding advantage overall.

“We’re so versatile. We can all play with each other,” Wright said.

There were other problems in play, but Taurasi’s absence was difficult to overcome.

“When she’s in, it’s kind of like she just settles everyone down a little bit. She’s kind of like a safety valve,” Prahalis said.

The Lynx passed the 100-point mark five times in 42 games last season, including the playoffs, and three of those came against the Mercury, who allowed a league-most 86 points per game last year.

The Lynx outscored the Mercury 36-23 in the second quarter and finished at 57.1 percent shooting from the field. Their 44 makes were a team record. With nine of their 11 players back from last season, plus third overall draft pick Devereaux Peters coming off the bench to play in the post, they look every bit the dominant team they became last summer. Ten of the league’s 12 general managers picked the Lynx as favorites to win this year’s title.

The Lynx started a bit sluggishly but quickly recovered. The strength of their chemistry was obvious, with each player knowing where her teammates want the ball and feeding off each other well. On one fast break, Whalen pushed an up-court pass after a steal to Maya Moore, who coolly finished a two-on-one break with a no-look flip pass to Augustus to stretch the Lynx lead to 65-51.

Taurasi and Bonner are the only players left from the Mercury’s 2009 championship team. They’ve been swept in the Western Conference finals in each of the last two years. Their quest to recapture that perch was dealt a big blow when Penny Taylor, who was eighth in the league in scoring last season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. She won’t play in 2012.

Houston and Alexis Hornbuckle were the only Lynx players who didn’t return this year. They were traded to the Mercury in separate deals, but both of them received their rings with the rest of the Lynx before the game. Houston, whose playing time dwindled last season, had a 2011 high of nine points for the Lynx.

“I haven’t gone anywhere. I know what my capabilities are, and it’s just a matter of having the opportunity to show my abilities,” Houston said. “It’s not `the old’ or `the new.’ It’s Charde, period.”

Summitt, who won 1,098 games at Tennessee and eight national titles, stepped down after 38 seasons nearly a year after being diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type.

In response to Lawson’s pledge, the Connecticut Sun said they would match each donation. Lawson  made 55 threes last season and entered 2012 ninth all-time in league history with 433.  She made one in Saturday’s opener against New York.

“Coach has been a mentor to me since I was 18,” Lawson said. “The basketball community has been effected by her diagnosis and her decision to step down. This works on many levels for me; I played for her, its a performance incentive, a win-win situation. You get a chance to play well and do something well that I like to do – shoot threes – and raise money for her foundation, which they are still trying to build.

“And I am thankful to the Sun organization for deciding to match my donations. It shows you a lot about the class of this organization.”

Lawson said she talks to Summitt every few weeks, but had not told her of her plans to make this donation.

“I guess it’s a good idea that I call her,” Lawson said laughing. “After call, the cat is out of the bag now.”

Lawson is one of 10 Tennessee players in the WNBA. Only UConn (11) has more. Lawson said she did not know of any other organized or singular effort of any other Lady Vol to support the Foundation in this way.

“I haven’t spoken to any of them about it,” Lawson said. “But maybe this will inspire other players in the league, or the league itself, it would be great to help find a cure.”

Lawson made 2 threes in Sunday’s 92-77 win over the New York Libery bringing the total contributions to the Summitt Foundation to $300 for the season.

And that included veteran Asjha Jones, one of their Olympians, who connected from the left triangle of the lane with the shot clock running out and 31.4 seconds to play to get the Sun started Saturday on a 78-73 win over the Liberty before 8.,112.

Jones had missed 12 of her first 17 shots before sinking the one that gave the Sun a 73-71 lead after the last of five lead changes and 12 ties.

“I had been horrible,” Jones said.

Cappie Pondexter, who led the Liberty with 19 points, missed a driving layup with 17.3 to play and the Sun received possession. Danielle McCray, who started for the Sun, made a free throw with 15.1 remaining to give the Sun their 74-71 lead. Then New York’s Leilani Mitchell was called for an offensive foul for crashing into Allie Hightower as the Liberty tried to get the tying shot.

“Allie was great,” Thibault said.

Hightower, who scored a career-high 13 points in 26 minutes, was also groggy. She had to go to the locker room after collision.

“As long as we get the win,” Hightower said.

The Sun got possession again with 7.6 to play and Renee Montgomery (11 points) drained another two freebies to put the game away.

Thibault said he brought Montgomery off the bench to help give the Sun an offensive infusion after the game has begun.

“It’s different,” Montgomery said. “I’m going to go with the flow right now. If it helps us, it helps us.”

He will evaluate future starting lineups based on who the opponent is and how big they are.

“I thought we were able to sustain momentum in the second half [when the Sun outscored New York, 45-32] with the people we brought in off the bench,” Thibault said. “Renee and Allie gives us great energy off the bench and a lot of scoring, which has been a problem with us, at times.”

These teams are back at it Sunday when they meet in the Sun home opener at Mohegan Sun Arena at 5. Then the Sun then have a few days off before playing San Antonio at the casino on Friday.

“In the Eastern Conference, every game is really difficult,” Jones said. “To win this game on the road is big for us because our history is that we aren’t very good away from home.”

The Sun got a double-double from center Tina Charles (19 points, 13 rebounds) and 12 points from Jones, who shot 6 of 18 in 30 minutes.

The Sun was called for three technical fouls in the first half, one each on Charles, Montgomery and Thibault. The Liberty had one, too, on veteran Plenette Pierson. Nobody was happy with anything that was being called – and not called.

“I’m going to challenge mine,” Montgomery said. “I’m very sad about it.  I didn’t actually say anything to her [Denise Brooks]. She said she called it because I was looking at her funny. I don’t like technicals. I had one and it was taken away after the league reviewed it.”

The game came down to the final eight minutes, the score tied at 58 after the Sun ran off the first seven points of the fourth quarter. It was just one in a series of runs each team engineered to send the game rocking back and forth.

The game also marked the return of Charles. The WNBA’s two-time rebounding champion did not play in the preseason and practiced sparingly while caring for a lower abdominal strain. She has now scored double-figures in 13 straight games and has 46 double-doubles, four short of Taj McWilliams-Franklin’s franchise record.

The lead moved back and forth through the first half. The Sun used three-point shooting to build a 15-10 lead, then watched the Liberty move the ball inside to slowly retake the lead, 20-19, before the end of the first quarter.

But the Liberty opened up a 41-33 lead at the half, outscoring the Sun, 11-3 in the final 4:51 of the half after a Charles basket tied the score at 30. The Sun went on an 8-0 run to start the third period to tie the game, but by the end of the quarter the Liberty was up again, 58-51.
“I just tried not to look at the scoreboard a couple of times,” Thibault said.

White Out

Sun guard Tan White did not play because of the concussion she suffered in the preseason opener May 7 against the Liberty at the Mohegan Sun Arena. She is not expected to return until Friday against San Antonio at the casino

“I don’t read that much, so I don’t know too much about those things,” Thibault said. “Legitimately, at least two-thirds of the league has the potential to win the championship because the talent is that good. Given some breaks or injuries, that number can change, too. Just look at our conference. It would be hard for anyone to say what the order of finish might be.

“But I have my own ideas. I’d like to think we are on top of that list. It’s nice that people would think that of us.”

The Sun have grown up. This is the third year of a youth movement that brought Tina Charles, Danielle McCray, Kelsey Griffin and Allison Hightower to the team in 2010. Of the 11 players who begin the Sun’s 10^th season Saturday against the New York kLiberty at Madison Square Garden, only Asjha Jones (10), Kara Lawson (nine) and Tan White (seven) have more than three years of experience.

“We are still a young team,”  said Thibault, whose team tied Indiana for first in the East last season.

It is also a team that has not won a playoff game in three years, one that has watched the Atlanta Dream surpass it on its way to two straight Eastern Conference championships.

But Thibault held his hand in the offseason. The only new players are veteran free agent center Mistie Mims and rookie center Chay Shegog, the second-round pick [21^st overall] ans from North Carolina.

Shegog won the last roster spot over veteran free agent forward Sidney Spencer, the former Tennessee standout.

“That was one of the hardest cuts we’ve had since I became coach here [in 2003],” Thibault said. “I felt like there would be opportunities for Sidney to help us a few times during the season, but she wasn’t going to play a lot. It’s hard to play 11 people. With Chay, a couple things worked to her advantage. She is insurance in the post, where Tina and Asjha have been hurt. And it gives us a legitimate 6-5 player to play against in practice that duplicates what we will see in our conference.”

Shegog, who averaged 15.6 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Tar Heels last season, said he did not come to camp worried about not making the team.

“I just thought of it like I was here just practicing with my teammates,” Shegog said. “I didn’t look at this as a tryout. I pushed it to the back of my mind.”

The Sun will rely on the further maturation of their young players and consistent performance of their perimeter players, particularly Lawson, point guard Renee Mongtomery and guards Hightower, Tan White and McCray.

But it’s in the post where the Sun really shines. That’s where their two Olympians, Charles and Jones, reign.

Charles, out with lower abdominal soreness, did not play in any of the three preseason games and practiced sparingly, not at all last weekend when she and Jones were in Seattle training with the Olympic team. But she says she is ready now.

“Playing as much I have, you are always going to feel somewhat sore,” Charles said. “So it’s about the mental aspect [being able to play through it]. You can’t be willing to take things easy.”

Charles, the 2010 Rookie of the Year and two-time rebounding champ, said she returned from her winter playing in Turkey ready to again take charge.

“I want to work on being more patient in the post and be more aggressive and vocal on the floor,” she said.

Quiet at the start

Thibault would not say what his starting lineup would be. “I will tell the team at brunch [Saturday],” he said. … The Sun’s home opener is Sunday, also against New York, at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Game time is 5 p.m. … White will not play this weekend because of the concussion she sustained in the first preseason game against New York May 7. “She is doing better now, but we probably won’t let her play until next week,” said Thibault. The Sun follow this weekend with a game Friday night at the casino against San Antonio. … Hartford coach Jen Rizzotti makes her debut as a Sun television analyst Sunday for CPTVSports.

That group includes incoming UConn freshmen Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck.

Here is the press release from USA Basketball about the roster…..

Dominique Brooks (Thornton Fractional South H.S. / Lansing, Ill.) has been added to the 2012 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team Trials roster and will compete along with 25 previously announced athletes for a spot on the 2012 USA Basketball U18 National Team during the May 18-21 USA U18 National Team Trials, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Additionally, Kaelyn Causwell (Wesleyan School / Johns Creek, Ga.) has withdrawn from the trials to attend her high school graduation.

Previously announced invitees include: Candice Agee (Silverado H.S. / Victorville, Calif.); Lexie Brown (North Gwinnett H.S. / Suwanee, Ga.); Brianna Butler (Nazareth Regional H.S., N.Y. / King of Prussia, Pa.); Saniya Chong (Ossining H.S. / Ossining, N.Y.); Kahleah Copper (Prep Charter School / Philadelphia, Pa.); Rebekah Dahlman (Braham Area H.S. / Braham, Minn.); Briana Day (Millbrook H.S. / Raleigh, N.C.); Bashaara Graves (Clarksville H.S. / Clarksville, Tenn.); Moriah Jefferson (Texas Home Educators Sports Association / Glenn Heights, Texas); Kailee Johnson (Central Catholic H.S. / Portland, Ore.); Michaela Mabrey (Manasquan H.S. / Belmar, N.J.); Breyana Mason (Forest Park H.S. / Woodbridge, Va.); Tess Picknell  (South Medford H.S. / Medford, Ore.); Kelsey Plum (La Jolla Country Day School / Poway, Calif.); Alexis Prince  (Edgewater / Orlando, Fla.); Faith Randolph (Good Counsel H.S. / Derwood, Md.); Tyler Scaife (Hall H.S. / Little Rock, Ark.); Ieshia Small (Dr. Krop H.S. / Tallahassee, Fla.); Imani Stafford (Winward School / Los Angeles, Calif.); Breanna Stewart (Cicero-North H.S. / North Syracuse, N.Y.); Brittney Sykes  (University H.S. / Newark, N.J.); Morgan Tuck  (Bolingbrook H.S./ Bolingbrook, Ill.); Shilpa Tummala  (St. Mary’s Catholic H.S. / Phoenix, Ariz.); Halle Washington (Parkway H.S. / Bossier City, La.); and Courtney Williams (North Shore H.S. / Houston, Texas).

The team will meet again in Orlando, Fla., for its first training camp May 28-June 2. The USA squad will then return to the USOTC for its final training camp Aug. 3-12, prior to traveling to Puerto Rico for the competition.

The USA U18 National Team will compete in the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15-19, in hopes of securing a berth in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Lithuania July 18-28, 2013.

Miami coach Katie Meier has replaced Jen Rizzotti has the team’s coach. She will be assisted by Nikki Caldwell of LSU and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga.

Not a lot of big names, but interesting.

May 17
The Phoenix Mercury waived Chastity Reed, Dymond Simon and Amanda Johnson
The New York Liberty waived Katelan Redmon and Raffaella Masciadri

May 16
The Phoenix Mercury waived Chastity Reed, Dymond Simon and Amanda Johnson
The Connecticut Sun waived Sidney Spencer
The San Antonio Silver Stars waived Loree Moore and Porsha Phillips
The Chicago Sky waived Felicia Chester
The Atlanta Dream waived Coco Miller
The Minnesota Lynx waived Julie Wojta and Queralt Casas
The Phoenix Mercury waived Krystal Thomas and Andrea Riley
The Seattle Storm waived Allie Quigley and Ashley Corral

May 15
The Washington Mystics signed Jessica Breland
The San Antonio Silver Stars waived Kalisha Keane
The Connecticut Sun waived Dawn Evans
The Tulsa Shock waived Amber Holt and Shanna Zolman
The Los Angeles Sparks waived Khadijah Rushdan, Ashley Shields and Darxia Morris

All that’s left for Geno to do now is buy the Yankees and move them to Storrs.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. has appointed Geno Auriemma as a Director of the Company and of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank.(SM) Additionally, Berkshire Bank intends to enter into a marketing arrangement with Auriemma, subject to final approval, whereby he will serve as a spokesperson for the Bank.

Auriemma, age 58, has been head coach of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team since 1986, is a seven-time national Coach of the Year and has won or shared the Big East Coach of the Year award eight times. He has served as President of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. A successful businessman and accomplished author and speaker, he is involved in numerous regional and state charitable and educational efforts and the national V Foundation for Cancer Research. Director Auriemma brings his skills in team building, organizational management and communication to Berkshire, as well as experience with the banking industry in Berkshire’s newest market, following the merger of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company with Berkshire Bank on April 20, 2012.

Berkshire President and CEO Michael P. Daly stated, “We are delighted that Geno Auriemma is joining our Board of Directors. His professional track record is unparalleled and he has a disciplined focus on team building and success factors that will contribute to the further growth and accomplishments of our Company. He understands the opportunities and challenges facing our industry, and brings important perspectives on the greater Connecticut region and on the regional and national forces affecting our markets. He is uniquely positioned as a Board member to help us continue to build the strength and recognition of our brand as America’s Most Exciting Bank.’’

In addition to joining Berkshire’s Board, Auriemma intends to serve as a spokesperson for Berkshire Bank. According to Daly, Auriemma is a perfect fit for that role as he understands that having the right people, energy and attitude is what gives you the competitive edge. “At Berkshire Bank we want customers to have a winning feeling every time they walk through our doors. We want them to succeed so that they can enjoy what’s really exciting in their lives.’’

Auriemma noted that he is pleased to join Berkshire Bank saying, “I look forward to joining the team of America’s Most Exciting Bank. As Berkshire expands into the greater Hartford region, they bring a refreshing attitude, unmatched energy and a sense of teamwork, each of which are critical components to success. I am delighted to be part of it.’’

Sue Bird (Seattle)

Swin Cash (Chicago)

Maya Moore (Minnesota)

Asjha Jones (Connecticut)

Tina Charles (Connecticut)

Renee Montgomery (Connecticut)

Kalana Greene (Connecticut)

Ketia Swanier (Atlanta)

Tiffany Hayes (Atlanta)

Charde Houston (Phoenix)

Diana Taurasi (Phoenix)

Connecticut Sun

21-13, tied for first, conference semifinals

Coach: Mike Thibault

Top players: C Tina Charles (17.6), F Asjha Jones (13.3 ppg), G Kara Lawson (10.4).

The skinny: The third year of the Sun’s youth movement holds great anticipation for success. Charles is now among the top five post players in the world, but the team needs consistent outside scoring from everyone. Renee Montgomery is still a young point guard, Lawson a dependable veteran.

Indiana Fever

21-13, tied for first, conference finals

Coach: Lin Dunn

Top players: F Tamika Catchings (15.5 ppg), G Katie Douglas (13.9), C Jessica Davenport (10.7 ppg)

The skinny: With the loss of assistant Gary Kloppenburg to Tulsa, Dunn hired Mickie DeMoss, the longtime Tennessee assistant, to replace her. What the Fever never want to think of is replacing is the former Tennessee All-American, Catchings, one of the game’s all-time greats.

Atlanta Dream

20-14, 3^rd place, conference champion

Coach: Marynell Meadors

Top players: G Angel McCoughtry (21.6), G Linsday Harding (4.8 assists), F Sancho Lyttle (6.3 rpg).

The skinny: The two-time defending Eastern Conference champions want to take the next step this season. McCoughtry, one of the league’s great offensive talents, will again lead the way. But center Erika De Souza [Brazil] will not join the team until after the Olympic Games end.

New York Liberty

19-15, 4^th place, conference semifinals

Coach: John Whisenant

Top players: G Cappie Pondexter (17.4 ppg), C Kia Vaughn (6.7 rpg), F Plenette Pierson (12.9 ppg)

The skinny: The Liberty will be led again by the Rutgers trio of Pondexter, Vaughn and Essence Carson. But Nicole Powell’s offensive ability and Pierson’s tenacity at forward are crucial, as is whatever help the post gets from DeMya Walker and 6-6 rookie Kelly Cain of Tennessee.

Chicago Sky

14-20, 5^th place

Coach: Pokey Chatman

Top players: F Swin Cash, C Sylvia Fowles (20.0 ppg), G Epiphanny Prince (13.6 ppg)

Skinny: The addition of Cash, one of the league’s top stars, gives the Sky frontline a boost. Point guard Courtney Vandersloot’s progression will be aided by veteran Ticha Penichiero. Fowles will join Cash, the former UConn star, on the 2012 Olympic team.

Washington Mystics

6-28, 6th place

Coach: Trudi Lacey

Top players: F Crystal Langhorne (18.2 ppg), G Matee Ajavon (3.1 apg), C Michelle Snow (6.0 ppg, with Chicago)

The skinny: Despite the gifted Langhorne, the Mystics quit in the second-half of last season, losing 13 of 14 by an average of more than 14 points. So Lacy went to some extremes, re-working the roster and taking the team to a Navy seal boot camp in the effort instill some toughness.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Minnesota Lynx

27-7, 1^st place, won championship

Coach: Cheryl Reeve

Top players: G Seimone Augustus (16.2 ppg), G Lindsay Whalen (5.9 apg), F Maya Moore (13.2 ppg)

The Skinny: After winning their first championship last season, the Lynx return practically intact, adding only veteran Erin Thorn and rookie Devereaux Peters. They are the only league team with three Olympians – Augustus, Whalen and Moore.

Seattle Storm

21-13. 2^nd place, conference semifinals

Coach: Brian Agler

Top players: G Sue Bird (14.7 ppg), C Lauren Jackson (12.2 ppg), G Katie Smith (7.5 ppg)

The Skinny: Trading Cash to Chicago was a bold, but necessary move by the Storm as they move to the future. But Bird, the world’s best point guard, remains at the team core. And her help will be even more important since Jackson [Australia] will not report until after the Olympics.

Phoenix Mercury

19-15, 3^rd place, conference finals

Coach: Corey Gaines

Top players: G Diana Taurasi (21.6), F Candace Dupree (8.2 rpg), C DeWanna Bonner

The skinny: There is no player in the WNBA, perhaps the world, like Taurasi and she will continue to lead the Mercury in all it does. But veteran Penny Taylor’s loss (knee) will hurt badly. Rookie point guard Samantha Prahalis, their first-round pick, is also as confident as they come.

San Antonio Silver Stars

18-16, 4^th place, conference semifinals

Coach: Dan Hughes

Top players: G Becky Hammon (15.9), G Sophia Young (6.4 rpg), G Danielle Robinson

The Skinny: The Silver Stars were outrebounded by 5.7 rebounds in 2011, 2.5 rebounds greater than the next worst team. Young, 6-1, was their top rebounder. So they added 6-3 Tangela Smith, 6-4 rookie Ziomara Morrison and 6-1 Shameka Christon.

Los Angeles Sparks

15-19, 5^th place

Coach: Carol Ross

Top players; C Candace Parker (18.5 ppg), F Nnemka Ogwumike (rookie), F Delisha Milton-Jones (11.7 ppg).

The skinny: Ross, a veteran college coach, takes over the Sparks. It’s also a very new roster, with Marisa Coleman and Alana Beard there now to bolster the backcourt. Parker, the Olympian, and Ogwumike, the No. 1 draft pick, form an athletic post tandem.

Tulsa Shock

3-31, 6^th place

Coach: Gary Kloppenburg

Top players: F Glory Johnson (rookie), G Ivory Latta (3.2 apg), C Liz Cambage (29 blocks)

The skinny: First-year coach Kloppenburg has hands full trying to rebuild a truly terrible team. Cambage, the 6-8 center from Australia, will not join the team until after the Olympics. And Tiffany Jones [formerly Jackson], top scorer and rebounder last season, will not play this year due to pregnancy.

Evans was signed to a training camp contract on March 16. The former James Madison star averaged 8.7 minutes for the Sun in three preseason games. Against New York on May 7, the 5-foot-7 guard had five assists and one steal. She  had one rebound and one steal against Minnesota on May 10 and three points, one rebound and one assist at Washington Monday.

The last roster cut may likely be second-round draft pick Chay Shegog of North Carolina. The center has played well in camp, but Tina Charles will return soon from a sore groin that has kept her out of all three preseason games.

The Sun open the season Saturday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Liberty. The game was originally scheduled for the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., but moved because of Game 3 of the NHL playoff series between the Rangers and Devils.