An e-mail from Sue in Overland Park, Kan., jogged my memory. Sue wrote:

	Sue Bird's will and determination, not her dreams, helped UConn to the national championship.

As a female and also a huge sports and ESPN fan, I was going to buy my son a shirt at the ESPNZONE in Las Vegas while I was there two weeks ago. I was totally shocked and mad to see "I watch ESPN with my Daddy" shirts, but none with Mommy. I taught my son the SportsCenter theme in our house ...

I got my favorite T-shirt of all time 24 years ago this week. On an Easter break trip to Washington, D.C., my brothers and I each got to pick out a souvenir. My choice was a tan shirt that read, in big black letters A Woman's Place Is in the House ... and the Senate. I was 9 and I loved it. My one grouchy uncle rolled his eyes when he read it. I loved that, too.

Despite how it looked, I wasn't promoting a cause. My family might argue that I was issuing a warning ... but whatever. I didn't know what Title IX was. The law itself was only 6 years old. But I knew enough about stereotypes to know that I didn't like them. That shirt made people think. I know this, because some folks would stop and question me or my mom. Where did I get it? Did I pick it out? Was I interested in government?

A shirt that reads I watch ESPN with my Mommy would have the same effect. It would be against type just enough to make a reader pause. Reaction would range: Some would think it's cool, others might ask to be spared. But those who have never thought about women watching SportsCenter and introducing their kids to sports would be forced to think -- or rethink -- about what's normal.

That's called a reality check.

Reality check? Allow me to demonstrate how good I am in transition. Did Pat Summitt and Tennessee get one or what? She was so mad Friday night, her scowl was touching the floor. She was also so incredibly helpless. Connecticut was that good.

Now I'm for women's sports of all kinds. Anything -- including cheerleading, which at many major universities is a scholarship sport -- that allows a woman to receive an education is OK with me. But I still follow men's basketball more closely than women's. Hey, dunks are cool.

		After watching UConn beat Tennessee in the semifinals from the outside and Oklahoma in the finals from the inside, I'm convinced there hasn't been a more athletic, versatile or smarter women's team.

This UConn team, though, is an exception. Nancy Lieberman, whose 1979-80 Old Dominion team is considered the first "greatest" team, calls Connecticut's starting five the best in the history of the game.

After watching UConn beat Tennessee in the semifinals from the outside and Oklahoma in the finals from the inside, I'm convinced there hasn't been a more athletic, versatile or smarter women's team.

Their statistics put them in the record books. UConn led in every major statistical category this season -- points per game, scoring defense, defensive field goal percentage, scoring margin. Their perfect 39-0 record ties the 1997-98 Tennessee team for the best single season record in the history of the women's game. Their 35.4 point average margin of victory is the best ever.

But it was their attitude and relentless drive that captivated me. They were concerned only with themselves and history. UConn played its bench throughout the season and didn't run up the score with playground antics. But they didn't lower their standards, either. They constantly pushed the ball upcourt and passed brilliantly. Damn anyone's feelings.

Simply put, I liked how they operated. They were ruthless on the court, yet polite off it.

	Asjha Jones, left, illustrates UConn's ruthlessness on the court.

During the Tennessee rout, we received a glimpse of where Sue Bird got her great attitude, an attitude her entire team obviously adopted from its point guard and leader. Her mom was asked if this were a dream come true. She explained how it's the result of their hard work. She's right. Indiana's men were living a dream to get to the national title game. They are the ones in an unexpected place. The UConn women did what was expected. Being this good is their reality. It's not a dream. I'm glad Nancy Bird didn't play along with the idea that "little girls live out dreams."

Sunday night the UConn players put on the customary T-shirts that read National Champions. I was hoping for something more thought-provoking.

How about We Give Good Spankings? On the back it could read UConn 39-0 by an average of 35 points. Like all good T-shirts, it would make people look twice. And that would be appropriate. Because this team has made us question what's normal in the women's game.

That's called progress.

SportsCenter anchor Chris McKendry is a regular columnist for Page 2.