Sun Banks On Firmer Foundation In 2011

The Connecticut Sun unveiled a new court at Mohegan Sun Arena Monday during the WNBA team's preseason media day. The floor could serve as a metaphor for what could be a new, firmer foundation for a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2008 and hasn't gotten out of the first round since 2006.

The foundation is laid with continuity,improved team health and a heightened UConn flavor for 9th-year Sun coach Mike Thibault. The 2006 WNBA Coach of the Year, who led the Sun to the finals in two of his first three seasons, predicts a return to the playoffs.

The Sun finished 17-17 last season for 5th place in the Eastern Conference. UConn's Tina Charles, the No. 1 pick in the draft, earned Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 15 points and setting a league rebounding record.

But a resoundingly revamped roster (seven first-year players), injuries to regulars Ashja Jones (10.8 ppg) and Kara Lawson (8.8 ppg) and the late arrival of 6-4 center Sandrine Gruda (11 ppg) because of European league commitments kept the Sun in the middle of the pack.

"We have a starting point now because a year ago with seven new players everything was new," Thibault said. "The couple of people we had back weren't healthy to play right away. Now we can go back to last year and remember what we did well and start from there. I like the feel of this year's team. It's a different feel. Kara told me today 'we are going to be a whole lot better defensively.' You can see it already."

The 12-team WNBA, entering its 15th season as the longest-running women's pro sports league, faces an uncertain future with teams folding, decreased national television exposure and franchises facing less assurances of NBA sponsorship. The Sun, owned by Mohegan Sun, have always operated independently and rank as one of the league's most stable franchises despite hailing from the smallest market.

Though the Sun ranked in the middle of the league attendance wise with about 7,000 a game last season, playing to 70 percent capacity tops the league's attendance charts. And the team's heavy UConn influence keeps the local interest flowing.

Aside from Charles and Jones, ex-Huskies Renee Montgomery, the Sun's second-leading scorer at 13.3 a game in her rookie season last year, and defensive whiz Kalana Greene, obtained in a trade from New York before the 2011 draft, give the Sun four UConn standouts, three of which should start.

"Everyone says I want UConn players," Thibault said. "We want winners, players who know how to win. Kalana exhibited that the first day she arrived at UConn. Her energy and athleticism will be a huge plus for our team. We want to collect as many winners as we can and she adds to that number."

Montgomery believes having UConn players is vital to the Sun's popularity. In many ways, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise where she would feel the same reverence from fans that she knew at UConn

"I sense the same 'buzz' that we had at UConn because we're in Connecticut," Montgomery said. "It's great here as a pro. The management treats us well, we have one of the highest attendances in the league. I don't know if I would have that UConn feel anywhere else in the WNBA. Even if we're losing, the fans still support us.

"There are way more college fans than WNBA fans," Montgomery said. "To bridge that gap, it's important to have local college players so that the fans of them in college will say 'oh, she's here now let's watch some of the WNBA games. There's this gap. I get it all the time that some people say I loved watching you at UConn, so what team are you on now? Having a few local players can bridge that gap."

The Sun play China in an exhibition game at Mohegan Thursday at 7. Its regular season opener is June 4 at home against Washington at 7.