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"To me, every good team starts with a point guard," said Auriemma, whose fourth-ranked team will play Pondexter and No. 9 Rutgers Tuesday night at 8 at Gampel Pavilion. "If I was a general manager, which I’m not, and if I was a head coach in the WNBA, which I’m not, and then I had the first pick in the draft, that’s who I would pick."
While it is a giant compliment coming from such a competitive rival, Auriemma’s point is well taken.
Pondexter’s ability to take over the game, offensively and defensively, and make things happen for her teammates and herself are skills that will come in handy at the next level.
"She just has so many different facets to her game," UConn senior guard Ann Strother said. "She’s been playing point guard, she can play 2-guard, she can shoot, she can get to the basket. There’s a lot that you can get from a player like that."
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer agrees.
"With the ball in her hands, she knows what to do, she’s been there, done that," Stringer said during the Big East media day in October. "There’s nothing short of Michael Jordan, that wisdom and that ability. She’s capable of doing anything she wants to, when she wants to do it and not to take away from the team."
Pondexter was chosen as the Big East preseason player of the year. She also is a national player of the year candidate. In the team’s first 20 games, Pondexter is averaging 22.4 points in 36.9 minutes. She even has her own Web site -- www.cappie25.com.
Pondexter said that even though rumors circulated, it was never a thought to enter the draft early.
"I really knew that I wanted to come back," Pondexter said in October. "If I would have won that national title, I probably wouldn’t have come back, but since that didn’t happen, that’s really the main focus. I just want to make this the best year I could possibly have."
Off the court, those who have gotten to know Pondexter say she is quiet and reserved.
"She’s funny, she’s real laid back, just a nice person," Strother said.
"On the court, it’s like something switches, she’s real aggressive and into it. It’s kind of like a light bulb goes on and off."
Because of an incident that took place with Auriemma immediately following the 2005 Big East championship game, Pondexter may not be a fan favorite in Connecticut.
The Huskies defeated Rutgers 67-51, but Pondexter approached Auriemma following the loss and with her finger waving, she delivered a heated message. Neither Auriemma nor Pondexter have admitted what was said, but with a letter of apology issued to Auriemma from Rutgers last week, the incident has come to a close.
Clearly by Auriemma’s complimentary attitude he has not held a grudge.
In describing Pondexter’s game, he attempted to compare her to North Carolina’s point guard Ivory Latta.
"It’s like comparing Dwayne Wade with Allen Iverson," Auriemma said with a smirk. "What’s the difference? One’s a big strong dude that kills you every time he touches the ball. One’s a little guy that kills you every time he touches the ball. I love both of those kids, I hate playing against them, but I love both of those kids."
