1) So much for sunshine and love out in California. USC squeezed out at 64-56 win over UCLA, but not after four players were ejected for leaving the bench after a near brawl developed along the sideline.

2) The city of Brotherly Love was no such thing to the visiting George Washington Colonials. Temple, which has seriously stumbled since leaving St. Thomas back in November, upset #13 GW, 68-66, behind freshman Lindsay Kimmel's 15 points.

"Temple's record is a little deceiving in that they went out like us and played a national schedule," said George Washington coach Joe McKeown, a graduate of Father Judge High School. "But unfortunately, a game like this probably puts them back on track."

3) The residents of the Nutmeg State watched with intense interest as the third remaking of their UConn Huskies stepped onto the floor against Cincinnati. With starters Mel Thomas, Kalana Green and Brittany Hunter (knee flare up) out, freshman Lorin Dixon made her first start as point guard, and Renee Montgomery shifted to the two spot.

Dixon played 35 minutes, finishing with 7 assists, 3 tunrnovers and 4points. Montgomery responded with a career high 27 points (7-10 on 3ptrs), and Maya Moore added 21 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and UConn romped to a 86-49 victory.

Doubtless tomorrow will be a harder test - #3 UNC - but it was a relief to have one game out of the way. "I think [the win] did a lot for everyone's psyche," Montgomery said. "Everyone can exhale now. We're going to be OK."

Side note: Thomas did attend the game, one day after her surgery. She was welcomed by a loud standing ovation as she stood by the team bench on crutches.

"I don't think she knew how to react," Auriemma said. "It was almost like 'did I come to the wrong spot' or 'what's this all about?' And I think she realized, 'I'm in the right spot and everybody's letting me know I'm in the right spot.' And I wanted her to know, 'You're in the right spot. This is where you should be.'"