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When Bird Calls, U-Conn. Answers. |
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By Kathy Orton PHILADELPHIA, April 1 – Connecticut has some of the most talented players in the country on its roster. Junior forward Svetlana Abrosimova and junior guard Shea Ralph are first-team all-Americans. Sophomore forwards Swin Cash and Asjha Jones were high school all-Americans. And sophomore forward Tamika Williams was the national high school player of the year in 1998. So it's not surprising that sophomore point guard Sue Bird often is overlooked, particularly since she stands just 5 feet 9. Bird has not received any impressive awards this season. She certainly is not the first name that comes to mind when considering the top point guards in the country. Yet, her teammates and coaches agree that the Huskies' fate rests on her undersized shoulders. "I think that just by watching us this year as compared to last year, you can see the impact she's had on our team," Ralph said. "She is one of the main reasons for our success this year. I know that speaking for Svetlana and I, we feel very, very comfortable with her. She calls out our offenses. She makes big shots when we need big shots made. And she has won a lot of games for us." But for all the games Bird helped Connecticut win this season, none would be bigger than Sunday night's NCAA championship game. Bird will lead the Huskies (35-1) against Tennessee (33-3) as they try to win their second national championship. Connecticut's only other title came in 1995. Bird was on the bench most of last season when the Huskies desperately needed her on the court. After starting the first eight games as a freshman, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during practice. Bird was getting ready to shoot the ball when she made a jump stop – a move she had made hundreds of times during her career. All of a sudden she crumpled down onto the court. Two weeks later, her knee was surgically repaired. From the bench, "I got to see what our team likes to do, what individuals like to do," Bird said. "Even though I didn't actually get playing experience, I got watching experience. I was there every step of the way – when we beat Rutgers, when we lost to Iowa State [in the round of 16]. I was there in the locker room. I heard everything that was said. I kind of took notes. And I think that's kind of helped me." That experience has made this season particularly sweet for Bird. "Last year, I took a lot of things for granted early in the season," she said. "Those first eight games, I really didn't realize how much I liked playing, how much fun it was. I really think I've had a lot of fun this season. Just to be in the Final Four my first time – my first NCAA tournament – it's been a great experience. I'm definitely having a good time with it." Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt called Bird the "difference maker" in Connecticut's win at Tennessee this season. Bird scored 25 points on 8-of-10 shooting against the Lady Vols. Bird seems to make the right pass, figure out a way to involve her teammates, hit open jump shots and sink free throws. She ranks third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game. She shoots 51 percent, 50 percent from three-point range, and is a 90 percent free-throw shooter. Bird has nearly a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio and leads the team with 72 three-pointers. Connecticut's success in its final game of the season may well hinge on Bird's matchup against Tennessee freshman point guard Kara Lawson. Both played exceptionally well in the semifinals. So it will be interesting to watch them go against one another in Sunday's championship game. "Sue Bird is the engine that drives that team," Lawson said. "She's just a tremendous player. People see how much they missed her last year."
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