39-0: Ironically, they played poorly enough (21 turnovers, 0 three-pointers) to prolong the debate about whether they're the best team ever, but the University of Connecticut Huskies out-rebounded and out-defended a scrappy Oklahoma squad to win the NCAA women's basketball national championship (UConn's third) and cap an undefeated season (UConn's second).
Cheers to everyone in Geno Auriemma's and Chris Dailey's perfect program, stupendous seniors Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Ashja Jones, and Tamika Williams especially, and cheers to valiant opponents and coaches — including six-time champ, fellow 39-0 finisher, and UConn nemesis Pat Summitt of Tennessee, whom I've referred to as the scary bride of Satan but who's been gracious and classy in interviews throughout the tournament.
But cheers above all — and thanks for raising the bar for not only women's sport but all sport — to the unequaled unselfishness, the joyous pass-before-scoring, team-over-individual-stats, play-any-position, all-dean's-list amazement of the lineup that lists only Connecticut, no players' names, on their jerseys. If you pronounce it "best team ever" or "best team ever" there remain two or three other candidates. But if you say "best team ever," there's no contest.
8:39:09 AM 
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