Los Angeles annihilated Connecticut on national TV. The Sun pleased fans with a big third-quarter comeback-- but the rest of the game looked less like professional basketball than like a collegiate nonconference game, the kind the ACC team wins by 30.

In fact, the Sparks led by 20 at the half, and won by 20; Marta Fernandez did whatever she wanted (she has Lindsay Whalen's skill set, and she's faster and taller). Taj did fine. Asjha didn't (1-14). Nor did Margo (0-0). The Sun looked both tiny, and lost.

Taj's return was emotional, but more went wrong than emotions can explain. Coach Thibault: "I'm not picking on Asjha ... but those are wide-open shots [she missed]. That kills you."

Connecticut dug a big hole in Texas last week, too. At least Whalen looked good this time-- though she may have broken her nose.