STANFORD -- Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma has not forgotten the last time his Huskies played at Maples Pavilion.

Ninth-ranked Stanford ended UConn's NCAA record 90-game win streak with a 71-59 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 7,329 on Dec. 30, 2010.

"The last time we were here we probably could have used some helmets," Auriemma said Thursday. "That was one of the more physical games that were played that year."

Coaches and players expect a more offensive-minded game Saturday when the top-ranked Cardinal plays host to the No. 2 Huskies at Maples.

"Saturday you have two of the best offensive teams in the country," Auriemma said. "Hopefully the fans will get a chance to see that. That's not to say we're going to see who can win 110 to 109.

"We try to make scoring, and scoring often, a priority in our programs. That's why maybe this has become such a great rivalry."

Auriemma was responding to fellow Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer's assessment of the two successful programs. This is the fourth time in five seasons the schools have played in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown.

"Philosophically basketball is different from wrestling, football and hockey," Stanford's VanDerveer said Thursday. "There is a part for physical play but not at the expense of skill. Our team never said we will try to beat you up instead of beat you at basketball. The game has become too physical and doesn't highlight the great skill of the female players that people are paying to come and watch."

Auriemma added that the women's game needs to develop more highly skilled offensive players to continue to grow.

"The game of women's basketball has to be played differently than men's basketball," he said. "I always laugh when the people who run women's basketball want to showcase our physicality. I don't know that serves any purpose. You want to showcase putting the ball in the basket. That's what makes the game enjoyable to watch."
