Connecticut’s quest for the fifth perfect season in NCAA history will begin at home.
The undefeated Huskies earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and will open against Vermont on Sunday at home in Storrs.
Nine teams have entered the NCAA Tournament unbeaten; only four have emerged unscathed. UConn and coach Geno Auriemma were the most recent, in 2002. Auriemma said he’s not worried about the bull’s-eye on his team’s back.
“We’ve been dealing with that all year long,” he said. “You worry about things you obviously have no control over. I’m not sitting here thinking about who we’re playing in St. Louis. Trust me.”
Oklahoma, Maryland and Duke earned the other three No. 1 seeds.
Tennessee (22-10) also extended its run as the only team to make every NCAA Tournament but earned a No. 5 — its lowest seed ever, guaranteeing a tough road to a third consecutive title.
The Huskies (33-0), who have run through their opponents this season by an average of 31 points, will be looking for their sixth national championship.
Despite losing in the Big 12 semifinals, the Oklahoma Sooners earned the No. 1 seed in the Oklahoma City region. Senior center Courtney Paris, who set an NCAA record with 112 straight double-doubles, has guaranteed she will pay back her scholarship if she doesn’t lead the Sooners to a title.
Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas and Texas A&M join the Sooners from the Big 12.
The Mountain West Conference had three teams selected — San Diego State, Texas Christian and Utah.
