These Two Were Made to Tango for the Title

Connecticut and Tennessee. Geno and Pat.

Together again.

As the two top women’s college basketball programs meet in the NCAA title game tonight in the Georgia Dome, the games may end but the story line never does.

“It’s two programs most of the country recognizes and a lot of history between us in a short time,” Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma said. “So strictly for good theater, you couldn’t ask for a better matchup.”

The 33-4 Lady Vols, coached by Pat Summitt, bring more issues to the game than do the 36-1 and defending champion Huskies. Connecticut leads the overall series, 10-6, and has won five of the last six meetings between the teams, including a 63-62 overtime thriller on Jan. 4.

Tennessee, which has six national championship banners to Connecticut’s three, has never defeated the Huskies in a NCAA title game, losing in 1995 and 2000.

Summitt, however, does not want the Lady Vols’ desire to win turn into an obsession.

“I think sometimes people look at a rivalry like this and think that maybe it’s so emotional and players are just wanting to go out and get revenge,” she said.

“We want to win a ring. It wouldn’t matter who we are playing, but the fact that it is Connecticut [means] there is no question we will go in with tremendous respect.”

Beyond the teams is the “relationship” between Auriemma and Summitt. Both say it is professional and competitive.

But given Auriemma’s proclivity toward outrageous statements, such as branding Tennessee the “evil empire” six days ago, Summitt can come off as Auriemma’s unwitting foil.

“If there is something personal, it’s not with me,” Summitt said. “I respect him tremendously as a basketball coach. But people who know me -- and I don’t think Geno knows me -- know I do have a sense of humor, I do have fun. I used to worry about what people thought and people said; now I don’t worry about anything but what those 11 young ladies [on her team] think, say and do.”

Auriemma deflects the “empire” inquiries with -- what else? -- a wisecrack.

“There’s nothing evil about them unless you live in Connecticut. They don’t do anything wrong. Her program and reputation speaks for itself. Throwing snowballs is part of what you do in a tournament. We are just throwing a couple of snowballs at each other.”