Mel Thomas wants to leave the UCONN women’s program as a winner, as in a National Championship. The pieces are certainly there with what should be a healthy Tina Charles, freshman Maya Moore, All-American guard Renee Montgomery and a slew of others.
“I just think I’ve got one more shot,” Thomas said. “I think we’ve gotten a little bit better every year. We’ve gained a little bit more respect and I think this year we have everybody back, and we’ve got some new kids that are real good coming in. So I think we have a really good shot. Everybody’s been working hard and this is the best I’ve ever felt about a season since I’ve been here.”
“My goal is for our team to do well,” Thomas said. “My goal for the season isn’t to be an All-American or anything. It’s for our team to win.”
UCONN’s men basketball center Hasheem Thabeet has been working hard over the summer and into the weeks leading up to the preseason.
“Working out with Emeka, Hilton Armstrong when he was back [at UConn], it showed me how strong those guys are,” Thabeet said. “That’s a big difference. When you go up there [to the NBA], everybody is so much bigger and stronger. And if you’re going to be able to play with those guys, you need to be able to play stronger. Actually, right now I’m more offensive-minded. Still, I can play great defense. But I’m offensive-minded. Every time out I’m taking shots. It’s more natural. All the time, I’m looking to score.”
Stanley Robinson said he only had two good games last year for the Huskies. He’s probably right. He totally disappeared at the end of the season. He thinks he’s made the necessary adjustments and is ready for the challenges that will come with the 2007-08 season.
