BRIDGEPORT | October 27, 2000 -- There is a new kid on the block as Virginia Tech joins the Big East Conference this season. On hand at media day Thursday at the Newark Sheraton was fourth-year head coach Bonnie Henrickson, senior guard Amy Wetzel and senior forward Tere Williams.
The Hokies have had great success in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In the past three seasons, the Hokies have posted consecutive 20-win seasons, won an Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament title, and they made two NCAA tournament appearances.
The Hokies were picked to finish fifth in the Big East this year behind UConn, Rutgers, Notre Dame and Boston College.
"It is certainly very exciting, not only for our basketball program, but for our entire athletic department," Henrickson said. "It's the first time in over 30 years that we've all been under the same umbrella."
BACK FOR MOORE -- Syracuse senior Paula Moore is back on the court after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Moore, a former standout at Bridgeport Central, sustained the injury before last season and took a medical redshirt. Coach Marianna Freeman said Thursday that Moore is progressing quickly.
"She has come along extremely well," Freeman said. "My biggest concern was how she was going to handle getting back into the mix and the contact."
Freeman said Moore, who was not present at media day, never missed a rehabilitation date in the weight room. She worked diligently to get her strength and her stamina back.
However, Freeman was uncertain whether Moore would be ready mentally to bang around in the paint. On the second day of official practice, Moore showed that she was.
"She took a charge, she got knocked down and she got back up, and she didn't even think about it," Freeman said. "At that point in time, I thought, OK, this is going to be OK."
NEW SITE -- The 2002 and 2003 Big East Conference tournaments will be held at Rutgers, the league announced Thursday. Rutgers also hosted the tournament in 1998 and 1999.
The league prevents a school from hosting the tournament for more than two consecutive years. This season's tournament will be held at UConn March 3-6 for the second consecutive season.
HUNGARY OUT -- The Huskies' exhibition game on Nov. 3 will no longer be played against Hungary. The team was forced to cancel its entire tour.
Instead, UConn will play Sweden. The game will be played at Gampel Pavilion. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
