SYRACUSE --
When a team comes into the Carrier Dome having spent the past forty weeks at number one in the polls, on a 66 game winning streak and featuring two players who are likely finalists for player of the year – they’re going to draw a lot of attention. More than three thousand fans came out to the Dome on Wednesday but it is clear that a lot of the crowd wanted to see Connecticut.
"I've been a Connecticut fan all my life so getting to see them play is a great opportunity,” said Katie Blair from Syracuse.
Delores Kasperzak and a busload of Husky fans came from Connecticut to see the game. She said she’s lucky that she's been able to see a run like this.
"It's just overwhelming, what they've accomplished,” said Kasperzak. ”I mean this isn't the first time they've been undefeated so far. They were undefeated last year, they've been undefeated in the past."
UConn is very close to breaking the record for consecutive wins. Right now the record is 70 and it’s a record held by the 2001-2003 UConn teams. Even hard care fans like Ashley DeMore respect what UConn has done.
"I'm going to learn to see how it's really done and how they keep the game going,” said DeMore.
Not all fans were just looking to see a great game. Coach Meg Cullinan brought the West Canada girls team from Herkimer County. Cullinan was hoping to lean a thing or two from legendary coach Geno Auriemma and she's hoping the girls get some inspiration from the play on the floor.
"I think the kids will be looking for some new out of bounds plays and you know the defensive effort UConn puts out - that's what we'll be talking about,” said Cullinan.
Syracuse played UConn tight for much of the first half but the Huskies went on to win 87-66. UConn star Maya Moore had 28 points and a career high 20 rebounds.
The Orange are still in the mix for an NCAA Tournament bid at 19-8.
