Last year the Sun's starting five were the best in the league, but the Connecticut bench consisted, in effect, of Wyckoff (now in Chicago) and Asjha Jones.

This year, coach Thibault says, that has to change. "I'd like to see our bench feel more confident so they can play longer minutes... And Lindsay's injury forces me to do some of that, too, which in the long run can be a blessing."

The 24-second shot clock should help his speed-oriented team. So should young guard Erin Phillips, who has inspired metric tonnes of newsprint in Australia and in the Nutmeg State.

Phillips learned mental and physical toughness playing Aussie rules football. (Phillips: "I don't think you are Australian if you can't kick a football.") She's dating a footballer, too.

To judge by the news stories, she can do everything except (1) dunk and (2) enter the USA legally: it's going to take a few more days to get her a visa.