Tennessee relies on size, depth for upset.(Chicago Tribune)

SAN ANTONIO _ Connecticut's Final Four news conference was zipping along at a fast-break pace Thursday. Then coach Geno Auriemma was asked to describe his relationship with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt.

A lengthy silence was finally broken when UConn point guard Sue Bird, seated at her coach's right, coughed twice, covered and uncovered her mouth and, suppressing a laugh, said, "Sorry."

"Next question," cracked Auriemma. When the laughs died down, Auriemma explained how he feels about his coaching rival in Friday night's NCAA tournament semifinal game, which will attract almost 30,000 fans to the Alamodome.

"The relationship is fine," Auriemma said. …