ESPN

Moderator

  (11:53 AM)

Ok everybody, send in those questions to Barbara Turner. She will be joining us any minute and we'll get starterd!

Barbara Turner

  (11:56 AM)

Hi, it's Barbara. I'm on the chat line now and open to your questions. Thanks for coming out this afternoon.

Karen (West Hartford)

Barbara, congratulations on the success YOU personally have been having this tournament. You had a HUGE game against Penn and came up clutch early against Auburn. What's your secret? Does the tournament excitement and adrenaline have anything to do with it? Good luck! Huskies will rule New Orleans!!

Barbara Turner

  (11:57 AM)

Thanks Karen. I have no secret, I just try to come out and be prepared for every game. The tournament is very exciting. It's the most important time b/c you are one and done ... and I think that not me or any of my teammates are quite ready to be done yet.

Pete Thomaston, CT

Hi Barbara- You are lighting it up in the tournament! Hope you keep it up and the Huskies advance. My question is, who wins a sprint between Mo and Liz, or is practice too short to find out?!!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!

Barbara Turner

  (11:58 AM)

LOL! Pete, I don't know how to answer that. Morgan wins the sprints but Liz does a pretty good job in the competition.

Kris, CT

Hi BT! You are so fun to watch. =) How has the team mentally and physically prepared for the tournament that differs from the regular season? Having lost to Nova then BC must have shaken the team up a little bit. I am hoping for a 3-peat!! CT knows you can do it!

Barbara Turner

  (12:00 PM)

I think we prepare for the tournament by taking a few days off to get our bodies and minds back in shape and ready to go forward. We take that little break to realize that this now is it. This is what we have worked for and this is what really counts. For some of the girls, there is no next year. So we let that sink and and use that to approach the NCAA Tournament

Jacob (Rockville, CT)

Hi Barbara, big fan here! Way to go so far, you guys look awesome! Here's my question. Are you at all relieved to be facing UCSB insted of Houston in the next round?

Barbara Turner

  (12:02 PM)

No, I'm not releived at all, actually. We are not taking UCSB for granted. We respect them a lot. here at Connecticut, we don't take anybody lightly, you can't, especially in the Sweet Sixteen. So we are going into this game with the same attitude as usual.

Jessica (Sturbridge, Mass)

Hi Barb! Way to go! I know Coach Auriemma is a tough guy and a stickler in a lot of ways, but i was wondering if you could shed some light on his humorous side. Share one of the funniest Geno moments with us. Thanks!

Barbara Turner

  (12:04 PM)

There are quite a few. Hmm. Just the other day, at Maria's we had a little birthday get together for him. We had this comedian come by. His name was the Funky Monkey. He was giving coach a hard time, he made up this little rhyme about coach being short and whatnot. It was pretty funny. He wasn't too happy about it. It was all in good fun. He definitely has a sense of humor.

Torrington

Barbara, First off, congrats....Second, what do you think about the potential Penn St. matchup if the huskies beat UCSB and Penn ST. Vs. Notre Dame, and would you rather play norte dame, to seek revenge from the loss earlier?? good luck to you bt

Barbara Turner

  (12:06 PM)

Well, first things first, we've got UCSB on the brain. After that, we really try not to think about who we would rather play. Sweet Sixteen first, we're happy to be here. Then we'll start thinking about the next round.

Kevin (Southington, CT)

Barbara, I have really enjoyed watching you and your game grow and improve so much since you arrived at Storrs. I have very high hopes for you!! I'm sure you will exceed them. My question is this, the lady Huskies recieve so much attention both in the state and in the national media scene. Were you able to anticipate and prepare for this before you came to UConn? Is it more than you expected? Less? Thank you and good luck!

Barbara Turner

  (12:07 PM)

Thanks Kevin. The attention is WAY more than I expected. It seems like everywhere we go we have a pretty big following and we sell out gyms that aren't used to be full. I couldn't have prepared for this. All the support is just awesome. We really enjoy it and appreciate it so much.

Mandy (Gallina, NM)

Hey Barb, you have been lighting it up this year. How do you guys feel about eveyone doubting you guys on a three peat? Good Luck Huskies!!!!

Barbara Turner

  (12:09 PM)

We don't feel like we have anything to prove, we're not concerned about everyone in the country doubting us. We have four more games to win. We'll make a statement with that rather than get caught up in answering to the opinions and doubts of fans and media.

Maya (maplewood,nj)

WHADDUP BT!!!? im big fan ya! i just wanted to ask .. are ya going to b at camp this summer?

Barbara Turner

  (12:10 PM)

What up Maya. Yes, I'm looking forward to being at camp this summer and working with all the little campers ... and of course, doing spiritstick!

Tim

Barbara, being that You, Will and Jess have played pivotal roles in the post the past few games, is UCSB's 6'8 center, something the three of you have been working extra hard on or as a team do you plan to shut their post down.

Barbara Turner

  (12:12 PM)

Obviously you have to focus on her size. Even with her size, she still has a lot of mobility and coordiination so it's definitely something that we are looking at and zoning in on, but we don't want to overemphasize that. It's just one part of the big picture. The bottom line is playing forty minutes of our best basketball.

Matt Redlands, CA

What is it like to play alongside Diana Taurasi? I admire your game as being very verastile and compare it to Swim Cash.

Barbara Turner

  (12:14 PM)

It's so much fun playing with D. She is a great person to play with. Her demeanor and her approach just makes it so much fun. She has such a competative drive, but she is always joking around, putting things at ease when we need it. It's just a lot of fun with her.

Terry, Watertown

Hi Barb - It is a pleasure to watch you play with such intensity. Keep up the good work and we will be watching on Saturday play UCSB. Get them early. Good luck to you and the Huskies - Go Huskies - on to New Orleans. What a way to go!!!!Love all of you.

Barbara Turner

  (12:15 PM)

Thanks Terry!

Brian (Pittsburgh)

Barbara,Can you talk about how strong the Big East is right now? 8 teams in the tourney is very impressive.

Barbara Turner

  (12:16 PM)

I think the Big East is so strong. Some people underrate it I think. They might take it for granted in comparision to the SEC or Big 12. Boston College, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh -- there are tough places to play in. I think its a tough conference top to bottom and it has really prepared us well for play in the national tournament.

Niki

Hey Bt!! Wuz going on??? What do you think of the incoming freshman for next yr??? thanks!!

Barbara Turner

  (12:18 PM)

I'm acutally excited to play with the incoming freshman expecially Mel Thomas just because she is from my hometown and I've played with her a little bit in AAU. All of the girls coming in have had a lot of success in highschool, they are all a lot of fun to be around and we are really looking forward to playing with them next year.

Carla (Vermont)

Barbara, what do you think of the tournament so far. Did any upsets surprise you?

Barbara Turner

  (12:20 PM)

Nah, none really surprised me with the parity that we have this year in women's college basketball. Some of the big teams that are always kind of expected to go to the Final Four are being doubted and some little schools are excelling. It's really so exciting to see the tournament play out this way.

Bstartz, CT

BT- My daughter is 9 yrs. old and LOVES you and the Huskies. We will be there this weekend to cheer you on!I love to watch you penetrate and take the ball to the hoop. Any advice you can give a young hoopster on penetration off the dribble? Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

Barbara Turner

  (12:22 PM)

Tell her to do little ball handing drills with cones. Get the handle down first, develop those skills, that's what's most important. Penetration will come naturally if you get the basics down!

Marion, Watertown

Just love the Huskies this year - Haven't missed a game in five years. You look so calm and cool on the court - Are you and Diana that calm and cool or do you get up-tight. Keep up the good work Barb, and good luck to you and the Huskies. Go UConn - three-peat, here we come.

Barbara Turner

  (12:23 PM)

Yes, we are pretty off the court. We both love to hang out and have fun and enjoy ourselves. That carries over to our on-court personalities.

Eileen - Vernon,CT

BT-You have such a reputation for karaoke, so I was wondering what you have for a signature song? Good Luck on Saturday!

Barbara Turner

  (12:24 PM)

Yes! My signature song is Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All". I hold the karaoke record on our team!!!

Rock(Columbus,OH)

How are the books/social life going now that you are at an elite program?

Barbara Turner

  (12:25 PM)

The books are going really well. It's kinda hard at this time of year to maintain our focus in the classroom but after a year I know how to discipline myself and get it donw. The social life, it's tough to find time but I do my best to squeeze some time in there to just relax and chill.

liz milford, ct

Hey girl. What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done?

Barbara Turner

  (12:28 PM)

I think the craziest thing is we were loading the bus up at Seton Hall and we had security around so we could just get on and not sign too many autographs b/c we had a plane to catch that night. One fan ran right around the bus trying to Diana's autograph. I thought that was pretty crazy. .... She got her autograph, too.

Don G. (Chicago,IL)

How have you had to adjust cooming from the midwest to the eastcoast?

Barbara Turner

  (12:29 PM)

Believe it or not, I think it's kind of similar. Cleveland is a little bit like life over here -- besides the traffic of certain parts of Connecticut.

FAN

HOW IS YOUR JOURNEY TO THE FINAL FOUR DIFFERENT THIS YEAR THAN YEARS PAST FOR YOU PERSONALLY?

Barbara Turner

  (12:30 PM)

It's a lot different as opposed to my freshman year. Last year I had no idea what to expect and I was just learning game-by-game. Now, I know what it takes and what it takes to be successful and what to expect emotionally and physically.

Robyn (Brockton, MA)

Hey, Barbara. I was reading an article the other day from last season and you said, "I want to work on my passing because coach (Auriemma) is always making fun of me, saying I don't pass the ball. He says, 'Sure, we have a give and go -- give the ball to Barbara Turner, and go to hell.' And that's a quote!" So, what's the update? Does he still tease you on the passing?

Barbara Turner

  (12:31 PM)

He doesn't tease me -- AS MUCH. He still has his moments where he calls me the "Human Turnover". But i'm passing the ball a lot more this year. He knows that.

Jasmine Michigan

What make you pick Conneciut, Good Luck,

Barbara Turner

  (12:33 PM)

Probably, believe it or not, I chose it b/c of Coach Auriemma. I felt really comfortable here with the atmosphere and the program and the people on my visits. I felt like it was close knit family here and something I really wanted to be a part of. That made my decision very easy.

Kait, CT

Hey Barbara.. Congrats on making it this far and I hope you make it even further!! I know you guys take it one game at a time, but I was wondering if you've heard some of the comments that the Penn State players have been making off the record? Such as one player saying they can't wait to see the tears streaming down Taurasi's face as they end her career on her home court one game short of the final four. Another player guarenteeing a win over UConn. And Rene Portland saying that UConn is the most vulnerable team. Would you guys use that as motivation?

Barbara Turner

  (12:35 PM)

We don't even hear this stuff and we don't get into the off the court verbal battles. We just go out and perform. We have respect for everybody and we don't pay attention to the shots that people take at us.

Diana Taurasi (storrs, ct)

Think you could work a little harder on the glass, I'm going for 3!

Barbara Turner

  (12:37 PM)

I'll only work as hard as YOU do on the boards! Just kidding. Go read a book or something. Don't harass me! :) Get ready for practice!

Maya (maplewood,nj)

hey bt!! wat do u think is stoping u from going to the final four?

Barbara Turner

  (12:39 PM)

Everything lies within us. We just have to go out and play 40 full minutes. That would be the only thing that could hold us back.

Vaughn TURNER ( Her big sister)CLEVELAND)

I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT ME AND THE GIRLS LOVE YOU! And we do plan on coming to New Orleans to see you play. Autumn would like to know, What team do you look forward to playing next?

Barbara Turner

  (12:40 PM)

Awww! Autumn and Morgan are my nieces! I love you guys! We look forward to UCSB! One at a time!

Betsy, Newington CT

You guys are awesome, and BT- you have been spectacular. Can't wait to see you Saturday in Hartford.

Moderator

  (12:41 PM)

Comments like this are abundant in here today, Barbara. Everybody thanks you for a spectactular season and exciting basketball.

Barbara Turner

  (12:42 PM)

I would like to say thank you to all of our fans. As a team we appreciate it so much. We look forward to seeing everybody at the Civic Center on Saturday -- being as loud as possible -- and we hope we can give you all a great show!

Moderator

  (12:44 PM)

Thanks for chatting everybody! Make sure to tune into the UConn-UCSB game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2!! Enjoy this awesome March madness!!!