Storrs — Felisha Legette-Jack says she's doesn't have a "hey, Geno, what's up?" relationship with UConn coach Geno Auriemma. But Legette-Jack, in her seventh season as head coach of the University of Buffalo women's basketball team, says she doesn't have an ego, either, when it comes to identifying great coaches.

"I'm in awe of this guy, I really am," Legette-Jack said after No. 10 Buffalo's first-round NCAA tournament upset over No. 7 Rutgers at Gampel Pavilion, when it became apparent the Bulls would be facing the 11-time national champion Huskies in Sunday's second round.

"I think he's really awesome. I saw his restaurant. I bought something there and I wasn't even hungry. It's so ridiculous, isn't it? ... I love Geno. I love what they've done for women's basketball. He stood for women. He stands for women. He's done so much to grow so many women to be phenomenal women and he can coach, man."

Auriemma, as it turns out, was the assistant coach at the University of Virginia before being hired at UConn prior to the 1985-86 season. He recruited Legette-Jack to Virginia out of Nottingham Senior High School in Syracuse, but Legette-Jack, who won two state championships with her high school team, decided to remain close to home to play at Syracuse.

Auriemma watched closely last year as Buffalo, which reached the Sweet 16 in Albany, the same regional as UConn, gave South Carolina all it could handle before falling 79-63.

"Felisha does a terrific job and has always done a terrific job everywhere she's been," Auriemma said Saturday. "... I've had a great relationship with her since she was a high school kid.

"I followed her career at Syracuse and her coaching career after that and I really admire her, her relationship with her players and how she manages her team during the game. She's just got a nice way about her. She's got a great personality.

"I'm really flattered by the things she said about our team and about me personally. It's unusual when another coach says something about me that you can repeat in public."

Back in the saddle

UConn senior All-American Katie Lou Samuelson, back in the lineup for the first time since March 2 after suffering from back spasms during a Senior Day game against Houston, had five assists and three rebounds Friday night before she ever attempted a shot.

"I wasn't trying to force anything," Samuelson said Saturday. "They face-guarded me right from the start."

When Samuelson finally took a shot with 8 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the second quarter, however, it was as good as ever, sailing through the net from behind the 3-point line.

Samuelson played 22 minutes in the NCAA tournament opener, a 110-61 victory over Towson, and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and a blocked shot. She shot 4-for-7 overall, 3-for-5 from 3-point range.

"I feel pretty good," Samuelson said, by way of a status update on her injury. "Just moving forward every day, making sure it doesn't get tight again. I feel good, though. ... It's at the point where it's mind over matter. I'm all right." 

v.fulkerson@theday.com

NCAA tournament

ALBANY REGIONAL

At Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

First Round

Friday's Results

Buffalo 82, Rutgers 71

UConn 110, Towson 61

Second Round

Today's Game

Buffalo (24-9) vs. UConn (32-2), 7 p.m. (ESPN)