We're back from Tampa and now we can focus on the Sox, Yanks and yes, even the Mets. I'm writing this as I watch the Home Opener from Fenway. Gotta learn these new guys in the bullpen. Anyhow, here are my thoughts on the season.
The Final Four goal was achieved for the Seniors. This group that didn't have an All-American and endured many trials and tribulations. From the ups & downs of Charde Houston, who finished her career on an up note I thought. To Brittany Hunter's knee that was as unpredictable as the weather. Mel Thomas' incomplete end to a career where she just got better & better before blowing her knee out. And then of course Ketia Swanier, who may have made the most of her 4 years in Storrs from start to finish as the programs' most improved player. (one of em' at least)

The Guards, I feel for Renee Montgomery. Does so, so much year in and year out to get the Huskies to this point. Only for her to run out of steam. Her shot each of the last two years has declined in the postseason. This just in, she needs help back there. Once Mel got hurt, she & Ketia Swainer logged alot of minutes. Wore her down physically, mentally & perhaps emotionally. Yes, Ketia helped, but with her graduating, Lorin Dixon better take a lot of jump shots in the offseason. She'll need to to keep defenses honest, but I saw a great deal of positives from her in the Big East Finale v Rutgers and even this past Sunday where she showed agressiveness to the basket. I hope Caoline Doty can shoot. But coming off the ACL Tear last September, she may need some time to get her game back. Tifany Hayes I hear may be able to add some as well.

Up front is where my worries lie. Tina Charles & Kaili McLaren will help UConn win alot of games the next two seasons. But how much growing up do they need to do ? To in turn work harder and get a bit of a mean streak in them to carry UConn to a possible April 9th 2009 date for the NC in St. Louis ?? Charles has said the right things, but most if not all year she found a way to upset her coaches.'  McLaren, who is in good shape will be expected to continue to do the same this off season. She showed flashes of brilliance and has a bright future. Where does this leave the talented Elena Della Donne ? At 6-5 she's more llike a guard and is Heather Buck a project like my colleague Kara Wolters when she came to Storrs ??

Della Donne will most likely be a forward along with Kalana Greene and Maya Moore. Imagine how good UConn can be with KG & Maya healthy all season ?? Yikes. Then we'll see if Meg Gardler & Tahairah Williams can get better in the offseason to add depth. Bottom line, while UConn got to the Final Four, maybe they're not ready to win it all just yet. Which of course fairly or unfairly is the way greatness is measured at Connecticut. Ok, Dice-K just just got out of a jam in the 6th. Gotta get back to the game. Pick up the kid from practice, fold clothes and start dinner on the grill. Boy am I glad to be home !!