Sun-Stars Preview

The first matchup of the year between top rookies drafted from the University of Connecticut is already here.

Morgan Tuck and her Connecticut Sun visit former college teammate Moriah Jefferson and the San Antonio Stars on Thursday with both teams seeking their first victory.

One of the stories of the 2016 WNBA season was how Geno Auriemma's UConn program produced the top three picks in the draft, most notably with Breanna Stewart selected first overall by Seattle. Stewart has already drawn comparisons to the greats of the game.

It's been underreported that Jefferson went second to San Antonio and Tuck third to Connecticut. Tuck was second on Auriemma's Huskies in scoring with 13.7 points per game this past season while the sharpshooting Jefferson was third at 12.6.

Both rookies had rough debuts Saturday. Jefferson made 2 of 10 shots for six points in a 73-63 overtime home defeat to Atlanta while Tuck was 1 of 6 for five points in a 93-70 defeat at Chicago.

The rookie who outshined both of them was the Sun's Rachel Banham, chosen fourth out of Minnesota. Banham scored 13 points in 15 minutes as she made a case for a starting spot.

The Sun showed they are in dire need of offense after shooting 33.8 percent in their opener. Alex Bentley made just 6 of 19 shots for 14 points. Connecticut was also outrebounded 46-33.

Chiney Ogwumike had four points in 16 minutes for the Sun in her first game since missing the 2015 season due to knee surgery.

The Stars were led Saturday by Kayla McBride, who scored 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting while Dearica Hamby added 14.

Connecticut won both meetings a season ago, including a 73-72 victory at San Antonio. These teams were among the worst in the preseason AP WNBA Power Rankings, with the Stars last at No. 12 and the Sun at No. 10.