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NCAA WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Connecticut 71 Tennessee 52
Tennessee, UConn are off-court rivals
For every young woman who wants to play college basketball, two schools epitomize quality, success and visibility.
But the Tennessee and Connecticut programs don't always recruit the same talent. Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and UConn coach Geno Auriemma were not forthcoming about how their recruiting has crossed over. Yet their players found the subject amusing.
"Well, UConn didn't recruit me," said Kara Lawson, a freshman who starts at point guard for Tennessee.
Summitt patted her on the back after Lawson's response, saying, "I'm glad."
Kristen Clement and Semeka Randall visited Connecticut and chose Tennessee. Swin Cash and Paige Sauer visited Tennessee and chose Connecticut.
"We have a good opportunity to go after players from coast to coast, but there's no absolute in recruiting," Summitt said.
This recruiting rivalry, in a sport that's increasingly popular, is special because the schools aren't geographically near each other.
"I went up (to Connecticut) in eighth grade and took an unofficial (visit) up there after they won the '95 championship and got a tour from Coach Auriemma," Lawson...