 "Photo: Matt Moss/Staff Photographer")
No matter how cold the Rutgers women's basketball team was against Connecticut in Tuesday's championship game of the Big East tournament, things heated up fast afterwards.
All-American guard Cappie Pondexter and Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma exchanged words during post-game handshakes, with Pondexter pointing her finger at Auriemma.
Although neither side was willing to elaborate, it could be drawn from comments on both sides that the problem started when Auriemma made a remark from the sidelines during the game.
After the final buzzer, Pondexter pointed her fingers in his face and walked away.
The incident was captured on ESPN and broadcast on national television.
When asked about the incident, Pondexter remained silent but visibly disturbed, while head coach C. Vivian Stringer spoke on her behalf.
"It seems that the UConn coach made a comment that is unbecoming for a coach to make to a player at any time anywhere," Stringer said,
When asked to elaborate on the content of the remarks and what Pondexter may have said back, Stringer declined.
"I don't want to get Cappie involved," Stringer said. "But it caused a reaction from her."
Auriemma's rebuttle told a different story.
"Sometimes emotions run high and sometimes players and coaches don't always have control over those emotions at this time of the year," he said. "Am I worried or concerned about it? I would be if I said something inappropriate. But I'm not going to lose any sleep tonight."
Athletic director Bob Mulcahy released a statement yesterday detailing what's to happen next,
"I met this morning with [UConn Athletic Director] Jeff Hathaway and [Big East conference] commissioner Michael Tranghese," Mulcahy said. "The commissioner will look into the matter and has asked each of us to provide any information we have concerning last night."
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