UConn women to begin NCAA title defense against lightly regarded Prairie View

GAME TIME: SUNDAY, 8:00 PM ET, ESPN

STORRS, Connecticut – Top-ranked UConn understands the part it's playing in this year's NCAA tournament.

While the rest of the country might like to see more parody in women's basketball, the defending champions are beginning what they hope will be a run at a record ninth title on Sunday, breaking the tie with Tennessee.

"People always have to have somebody that's either the star or the villain," said UConn coach Geno Auriemma. "Somebody's got to play that role."

The Huskies, who just completed their seventh undefeated regular season, open their tournament run with a less than marquee matchup against No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M. The Panthers come into the game 14-17 after winning their fourth consecutive SWAC conference title. The team lost its first 11 games this season, before turning things around late. But they are 0-5 in the NCAA tournament.

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