After drilling the Tennessee Lady Vols in last season's NCAA championship game, in which the Connecticut Huskies ran clinics on backdoor passes, created havoc with full-court pressure and displayed a will to win, Geno Auriemma almost guaranteed a repeat in 2001.

THREE'S COMPANY

Here's a look at three teams that should match up better with the Huskies this season than anyone else: Tennessee: The Lady Vols have the numbers and the talent to go nose to nose with the Huskies and win. With Tamika Catchings, Semeka Randall, Michelle Snow and Kara Lawson, the Lady Vols have impressive power, and would be favored to win the title in most other seasons. Plus, they have Pat Summitt and the motivation of getting embarassed in the 2000 title game. UConn had better be truly ready, because Tennessee will be. Georgia: Andy Landers has experience, size and scoring ability with Kelly Miller, Coco Miller, Deanna Nolan and Tawana McDonald. The only downside for Georgia might be numbers. If the Bulldogs can stay conditioned and keep out of foul difficulty against UConn, they can win. The only question is, can Georgia do it on the national stage in the Final Four? Duke: Gail Goestenkors is on her way to being on the same level as Summitt and Auriemma, and is one of the brightest young coaches in the game. She now has talent and experience on the floor at the same time, and will compete for a spot at the Final Four. With the youth, though, is Duke still a year away from being a true threat to win it all?

Well, why not? UConn has almost everybody back, and added a collection of All-American recruits to a juggernaut. So you can't blame Auriemma for his brimming confidence because he might very well have a young dynasty in the making at UConn, one that could rival the Orange Dynasty of Pat Summitt at Tennessee, if everything is handled the right way.

UConn arguably boasts the best players in the nation at several positions, with Sue Bird, Shea Ralph and Svetlana Abrosimova. No team has a complement of players like Asjha Jones, Swin Cash, Kennitra Johnson and Tamika Williams, all of whom could start at other top 10 programs. Add in a freshman class that features the coveted Diana Taurasi, and UConn has an almost unbeatable combination.

Almost. Although beating UConn in 2001 will be no easy task, there are a handful of teams that have a realistic shot at doing it. Sure, you have to rebound, hit shots, limit turnovers and make plays, but the real keys are intangible.

So, Tennessee, Georgia, Duke, Purdue, Notre Dame, and anyone else who dares to dream, listen up to your coaches, because they all know that these are the three keys to beating UConn:

1. Handle pressure
The Huskies attack you at every turn, and the only way to truly combat the ball pressure, trapping and defensive schemes is to expect it as a team, and to attack the pressure at the point it is applied. It is not enough for the ball handlers to expect the pressure and handle it, it has to be a collective thing. That means that every player on the court has to communicate, be aware and find openings to present herself as a receiver or a pressure release.

When the ball is passed your way, the first thing is to go to the ball to cut down the distance, catch it strongly, and immediately turn, face the defense, and make a quick and decisive read. If you get in too much of a hurry, you will get eaten alive, and the game will turn into "Turnover Fest 2001."

UConn has a lot of talented bodies to throw at you, but they're not a bunch of Wonder Women. It is possible to beat them, if you handle the pressure. Check that, if you welcome the pressure.

2. Have an attack mentality
Nobody will beat UConn if they play back on their heels, waiting to see what the Huskies are going to do and reacting to it.

To beat UConn, you have to beat the pressure to score, not just beat it across half court. If you approach the game trying to be careful of what UConn will be doing, you've lost already.

Make UConn react to you, and when the Huskies trap, expect it, beat it, and beat it to score. That mentality, of welcoming the pressure because you know it will give you opportunities to get layups in 3-on-2 situations or 2-on-1 situations on the other end, will put you in a position to win the game.

3. Play to win, not to survive
This is a sure thing for 2001: UConn will not be in many close games. As a result, the Huskies will not have to operate with game pressure in end-of-game situations.

A close game will be a situation foreign to them, and that can work against them. Game pressure is a funny thing, and an advantage against UConn is that you have probably been in more nail biters than they have. If you have a close finish with UConn, you have to fight the tendency to simply try and hang on.

Rather, you have to play to win down to the last second. There's a difference. Don't worry about keeping the wheels on while you watch the clock tick. Instead, keep giving the Huskies shots to the chin until the final bell. Because UConn doesn't get into the 15th round with the fight on the line very often -- they outscored opponents by an average of 30.6 points per game last season -- the Huskies might not react well with game pressure on them. So keep pouring it on, and don't just hope to win, or hope they miss. Make them miss, and lay it all out there on the line to win.

This UConn team is truly powerful, and if the Huskies approach the season correctly, very few teams will be able to stand in their way. A very good team can do everything right and still come up short against the Huskies. But, if the game is approached the right way, and these three principles are incorporated, you can put yourself in a position to win. Plus, this approach and attitude will produce a carryover to apply to other opponents.

If it's good enough to put you in a position to beat UConn this season, it will put you in a position to beat anyone.