Picture this: the UConn women's basketball team embarking on a journey to Canada for a game like no other. It's not your typical exhibition matchup. No siree! The Huskies are taking on Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), a member of the Canadian U Sports organization. And here's the kicker: this game counts as a regular-season contest. Talk about crossing borders!
Now, before you get too excited, there's a small catch. TMU may not be an NCAA Division I opponent, but the NCAA won't include the result in UConn's NET rankings. So, it won't affect their postseason seeding. But hey, we're here for the game, the competition, and the love of basketball, right?
Why the excursion to Canada, you ask? Well, it's a longstanding tradition at UConn for coach Geno Auriemma to grant players from out of state a 'homecoming' game near their hometown. This time, it's all for senior Aaliyah Edwards, who hails from Kingston, Ontario, and played high school ball in none other than Toronto. It's a special treat for her, as she gets to showcase her talents on home soil while representing her UConn family.
For Edwards, the anticipation is palpable. 'For me, it's just going to be exciting to be in that environment and to have my UConn family play at home,' she exclaimed. The team is approaching the matchup as an out-of-conference game, prepared to execute whatever Coach Auriemma has in mind.
Here's an interesting tidbit: the original opponent was supposed to be Pittsburgh, but they withdrew from the game after a coaching change. Panic set in for the UConn camp, but never fear - TMU (formerly known as Ryerson University) came to the rescue. Led by Carly Clarke, who also coaches the Canadian national team, TMU gladly stepped up to the plate.
There were some concerns about the strength of schedule and whether a game against a Canadian school would make a difference. However, Neal Eskin, UConn's executive associate athletic director, emphasized that given their overall schedule, it wasn't an issue. The Huskies are used to going up against the best of the best anyway.
Auriemma jumpstarted the conversation about the challenges of organizing homecoming games for his players. The struggle is real, folks! Sometimes, it's like pulling teeth to find willing opponents. 'It should be easy, you would think,' Auriemma lamented. But alas, it isn't always the case. However, he emphasized that the teams that do agree to face the Huskies never regret it. Win or lose, they come away with an experience of a lifetime and a packed arena to boot.
These games aren't just about basketball, my friends. They're about showing gratitude to the players and their families for choosing UConn. The school goes above and beyond to make these homecoming games happen. Just look at their trip to Croatia this summer to play exhibition games in front of guard Nika Muhl's loved ones. It's all about making connections, creating memories, and leaving a lasting impact.
Muhl herself cherishes her association with UConn, believing it's helping grow the women's game in Croatia. The joy she experienced when young Croatian fans approached her for autographs during their trip was a highlight of her life. Those moments will never be forgotten, she declared with a sparkle in her eye.
As the game approaches at Toronto's Mattamy Athletic Centre, the excitement is palpable. The atmosphere surrounding the contest? Well, according to Edwards, it's 'buzzin''. A sellout crowd eagerly awaits, hungry for some high-level basketball and perhaps a glimpse into the future of the game.
So, here's to UConn's bold journey to Canada, to the Huskies defying borders in the name of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Let the game begin, and may the passion for basketball reign supreme from Connecticut to Toronto and beyond!
