STORRS, Conn. — After a weeklong road trip that saw the UMPI men’s and women’s basketball teams travel through five states, stay in three hotels, and eat at countless Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts, once Friday came you couldn’t blame the players if they just wanted to get on the bus and come home.
But there it was on the Friday itinerary: “PRACTICE 10:00-12:00”. They did not know where it was going to be at but from what they had been told, women’s coach Marc Heidorf had found a high school gym on the way back from Norwich, Conn. for the teams to use for practice before finishing the trip up.
“We get along well as a program, but I feel pretty certain that had I actually tried to hold a practice I would have been left behind in whatever city we stopped in,” said Heidorf smiling.
Luckily for him, the “practice” the UMPI teams had was watching the University of Connecticut Huskies’ women’s basketball team practice in Gampel Pavilion. Owls’ players were treated to seeing head coach Geno Auriemma prepare his squad for a Big East showdown at Villanova on Saturday.
It was a practice the Owls will not soon forget.
“I really loved how disciplined they all were,” said Owls’ forward Rashell Saucier. “Their focus was impressive. You could totally see that they depended on each other to accomplish teamwork.”
“I could not sit still the entire time we were there,” said guard Emily Moore. “That is something I never thought I would be able to do. And to be able to shake coach Geno’s hand — so very cool!”
