2006 Connecticut Sun season

Last updated

2006 Connecticut Sun season
Coach Mike Thibault
Arena Mohegan Sun Arena
Attendance7,417 per game
Results
Record268 (.765)
Place1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishLost in Eastern Conference Finals
Team Leaders
Points Katie Douglas (16.4)
Rebounds Taj McW.-Franklin (9.6)
Assists Lindsay Whalen (4.6)

The 2006 WNBA season was their eighth season and their fourth in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and were successful. Before the season started, many thought the Sun would make their third consecutive trip to the WNBA Finals, but lost to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in 3 games.

Contents

Offseason

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/team/country
228 Debbie Merrill Flag of the United States.svg  United States Ohio State
342 Marita Payne Flag of the United States.svg  United States Auburn

[1]

Transactions

[2]

Roster

Connecticut Sun roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 10 Flag of the United States.svg Carey, Jamie 5' 6" (1.68m)135 lb (61kg) Texas
F 22 Flag of the United States.svg Brungo, Jessica 6' 1" (1.85m)165 lb (75kg) Penn State
G/F 32 Flag of the United States.svg Douglas, Katie  (C)6' 0" (1.83m)165 lb (75kg) Purdue
C 12 Flag of Poland.svg Dydek, Margo 7' 2" (2.18m)223 lb (101kg) Poland
G/F 21 Flag of the United States.svg Hairston, Kamesha 6' 0" (1.83m)146 lb (66kg) Temple
F 15 Flag of the United States.svg Jones, Asjha 6' 2" (1.88m)196 lb (89kg) Connecticut
G/F 24 Flag of the United States.svg Mahoney, Megan 6' 0" (1.83m)160 lb (73kg) Kansas State
F/C 11 Flag of the United States.svg McWilliams-Franklin, Taj 6' 2" (1.88m)184 lb (83kg) St. Edward's College
G 31 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phillips, Erin 5' 7" (1.7m)162 lb (73kg) Australia
F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Queenan, Brooke 6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg) Boston University
G/F 42 Flag of the United States.svg Sales, Nykesha  (C)6' 0" (1.83m)175 lb (79kg) Connecticut
C 14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Summerton, Laura 6' 2" (1.88m)167 lb (76kg) Australia
G 13 Flag of the United States.svg Whalen, Lindsay 5' 8" (1.73m)150 lb (68kg) Minnesota
F 43 Flag of the United States.svg Willingham, Le'Coe 6' 0" (1.83m)200 lb (91kg) Auburn
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Athletic trainer
Strength and conditioning coach

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Season standings

Eastern Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
z - Connecticut Sun 268.76514–312–515–5
x - Detroit Shock 2311.6763.014–39–814–6
x - Indiana Fever 2113.6185.012–59–812–8
x - Washington Mystics 1816.5298.013–45–1212–8
e - New York Liberty 1123.32415.07–104–137–13
e - Charlotte Sting 1123.32415.07–104–36–14
e - Chicago Sky 529.14721.03–142–154–16

Schedule

Preseason

2006 Game Log: Preseason
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceRecord
1May 7 Detroit L 58-77 Carey (10) Jones (8) Phillips (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,272
0-1
2May 9@ Sacramento L 73-74 Sales (19) Jones (7)N/A University Arena
6,392
0-2
3May 13@ Phoenix W 96-85 Sales (30) McWilliams-Franklin (9) Douglas (4) US Airways Center
2,069
1-2

Regular season

2006 Game Log: Regular Season
May
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceRecord
1May 20 New York W 91-74 Sales (19) Sales (10) Whalen, Sales (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,316
1-0
2May 23@ Minnesota W 81-69 Douglas (28) McWilliams-Franklin (11) Whalen (6) Target Center
9,471
2-0
3May 27 Detroit L 73-77 (OT) Douglas (18) McWilliams-Franklin, Douglas (7) Whalen (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,738
2-1
June
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceRecord
4June 1@ Charlotte W 89-65 Sales (18) Dydek (15) Douglas (5) Charlotte Bobcats Arena
3,632
3-1
5June 3 Charlotte W 89-71 Dydek (17) McWilliams-Franklin (15) Sales (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,318
4-1
6June 7@ New York W 75-60 Douglas (17) McWilliams-Franklin (7) Sales, Phillips (4) Madison Square Garden
10,180
5-1
7June 9 Seattle W 85-81 Douglas (18) Dydek (12) Whalen (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,138
6-1
8June 13 Washington W 85-71 Douglas (26) Douglas (7) Whalen, Jones (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,339
7-1
9June 16@ Phoenix L 86-91 Douglas (27) McWilliams-Franklin (17) Whalen (4) US Airways Center
6,378
7-2
10June 17@ Los Angeles L 70-82 Jones (16) Sales, Dydek, Jones (5) Whalen (5) STAPLES Center
7,991
7-3
11June 20@ Charlotte W 90-66 Sales (15) McWilliams-Franklin (9) Whalen (6) Charlotte Bobcats Arena
4,243
8-3
12June 22 Minnesota W 79-62 Whalen, Dydek (16) Jones (11) Sales (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,573
9-3
13June 23@ Chicago W 84-79 Sales (23) McWilliams-Franklin (14) Whalen (6) UIC Pavilion
2,818
10-3
14June 25@ Washington L 80-87 McWilliams-Franklin, Sales, Jones (15) McWilliams-Franklin (11) Whalen (6) MCI Center
7,216
10-4
15June 27 Houston W 73-57 Sales (19) Dydek (13) Whalen (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,220
11-4
16June 30 Detroit L 64-70 Jones (16) McWilliams-Franklin (10) Whalen (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,003
11-5
July
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceRecord
17July 1@ Indiana W 76-66 Douglas (22) Whalen (10) Whalen, Sales (3) Conseco Fieldhouse
7,033
12-5
18July 6 Charlotte W 76-71 Whalen (20) Dydek (9) Whalen (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,019
13-5
19July 8 Phoenix W 82-77 Douglas (22) McWilliams-Franklin (12) McWilliams-Franklin (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
9,341
14-5
20July 15@ Sacramento L 63-69 McWilliams-Franklin (13) McWilliams-Franklin (10) Phillips (4) ARCO Arena
7,997
14-6
21July 16@ Seattle W 92-83 Douglas (26) Dydek (14) McWilliams-Franklin (7) KeyArena
8,952
15-6
22July 20 Chicago W 86-72 Douglas (19) McWilliams-Franklin (8) Phillips (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,740
16-6
23July 22@ San Antonio W 79-61 Dydek (18) McWilliams-Franklin (10) McWilliams-Franklin, Whalen (7) AT&T Center
N/A
17-6
24July 24@ New York W 89-71 McWilliams-Franklin (22) Dydek (10) Douglas (6) Madison Square Garden
8,419
18-6
25July 25 Washington W 73-86 Douglas (28) McWilliams-Franklin (12) McWilliams-Franklin (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,535
19-6
26July 28 Sacramento W 75-68 Douglas (19) McWilliams-Franklin (14) Douglas (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,558
20-6
27July 30 San Antonio W 72-65 Jones (22) Jones, Dydek (8) Carey (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,454
21-6
August
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceRecord
28August 1 New York W 66-52 Jones (22) McWilliams-Franklin, Dydek (10) Phillips (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,159
22-6
29August 3 Los Angeles W 72-63 McWilliams-Franklin (22) Jones (10) Phillips (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,675
23-6
30August 6@ Houston W 86-67 McWilliams-Franklin (21) McWilliams-Franklin (13) Whalen (9) Toyota Center
8,726
24-6
31August 8@ Chicago W 85-59 Douglas (19) McWilliams-Franklin (12) Whalen, Jones (5) UIC Pavilion
3,520
25-6
32August 9@ Indiana W 71-63 Jones (21) McWilliams-Franklin (14) Sales (4) Conseco Fieldhouse
7,368
26-6
33August 11 Indiana L 68-87 Whalen (16) McWilliams-Franklin (5) Phillips (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
9,341 (sellout)
26-7
34August 13@ Detroit L 65-88 McWilliams-Franklin (13) McWilliams-Franklin, Sales (5) Phillips, Dydek (3) Palace of Auburn Hills
11,558
26-8

Playoffs

In the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Sun had to face the Washington Mystics. Since the Sun had the better record, the series would be played with game 1 at Washington, game 2 at Connecticut, and game 3 (if needed) at Connecticut. The Sun swept the Mystics and game 3 was not needed. In the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Sun had to face rival Detroit Shock. Again, the Sun had the better record and the series would be played with game 1 at Detroit and games 2 and 3 (if needed) at Connecticut. Even though the Sun had a better record in the regular season, Detroit had managed to beat Connecticut in all four of the season meetings. Surprisingly, the Sun won game two of the series but went on to lose game three on their home court. Detroit advanced to the WNBA Finals. Had Connecticut advanced, it would have been the third consecutive season the Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals.

2006 Game Log: Postseason
Eastern Conference Semifinals
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceSeries
1August 18@ Washington W 76-61 Whalen (22) McWilliams-Franklin (14) McWilliams-Franklin (6) Verizon Center
8,547
1-0
2August 20 Washington W 68-65 Douglas (16) McWilliams-Franklin (14) Sales (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,579
2-0
Eastern Conference Finals
GameDateOpponentScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation/AttendanceSeries
1August 24@ Detroit L 59-70 Whalen, Phillips (13) Dydek (8) McWilliams-Franklin, Whalen, Phillips (3) Palace of Auburn Hills
9,476
0-1
2August 26 Detroit W 77-73 McWilliams-Franklin (18) Jones (8) Sales (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,377
1-1
3August 27 Detroit L 55-79 McWilliams-Franklin (12) Dydek (9) Sales (3) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,820
1-2

Depth

Pos.StarterBenchInactive
C Margo Dydek Laura Summerton
PF Taj McWilliams-Franklin Asjha Jones -- Le'Coe Willingham
SF Nykesha Sales Megan Mahoney
SG Katie Douglas Erin Phillips
PG Lindsay Whalen Jamie Carey

Player stats

Awards and honors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Sun</span> WNBA franchise

The Connecticut Sun are an American professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut that competes in the Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Shock</span> Womens basketball team

The Detroit Shock were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006, and 2008 WNBA champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Antonio Stars</span> Former womens basketball team

The San Antonio Stars were a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the Utah Starzz before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; then moved to San Antonio before the 2003 season and became the San Antonio Silver Stars, then simply the San Antonio Stars in 2014. The team was owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, which also owned the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. The team was sold to MGM Resorts International in 2017 and became the Las Vegas Aces for the 2018 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Fever</span> American womens professional basketball team

The Indiana Fever are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded before the 2000 season began. The team is owned by Herb Simon, who also owns the Fever's NBA counterpart, the Indiana Pacers, and Simon Malls.

The Orlando Miracle were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Orlando, Florida. It began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003, to Uncasville, Connecticut, where the team became the Connecticut Sun. The Miracle was a sister team to the NBA's Orlando Magic.

The 2008 WNBA season was the 11th for the Detroit Shock, an American women's professional basketball team. The Shock returned to the WNBA Finals for the third consecutive year, winning their second WNBA Championship in three seasons, and their third in six years.

The 2008 WNBA season was their tenth season and their sixth in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Lindsay Whalen was a key contributor to the club, averaging 14.0 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 5.4 assists per game.

The 2007 WNBA season was their ninth season and their fifth in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and were successful.

The 2005 WNBA season was their seventh season and their third in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the third consecutive season and were successful. They also attempted to return to the WNBA Finals for the second consecutive year and were successful.

The 2004 WNBA season was their sixth season and their second in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season and were successful.

The 2003 WNBA season was their fifth season and their first in Connecticut. The Sun made the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They would sweep the Charlotte Sting in the first round, only to get swept to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in the conference finals.

The 2001 WNBA season was their third in the league. The Miracle missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Miracle also hosted the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game.

The 2000 WNBA season was their second in the league. The Miracle made to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Cleveland Rockers in three games.

The 2009 WNBA season is the 12th for the Detroit Shock of the Women's National Basketball Association in the United States. The Shock attempted to win the WNBA Finals, tying the record for most championships with the Houston Comets (4), but failed in the conference finals. On June 15, 2009, head coach Bill Laimbeer resigned as head coach of the Detroit Shock, due to family reasons and the desire to become an NBA head coach. Though he was unable to secure an NBA head coaching position, ESPN reported on August 30 that Laimbeer was offered, and accepted, an assistant coach position with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the early struggles, the 2008 champion Detroit Shock reached the playoffs for the seventh straight year. It would be the final year in Detroit, as the Shock were purchased by Tulsa Hoops, and new ownership moved the team to Tulsa for 2010.

The 2005 WNBA Finals was the best-of-five championship series for the 2005 season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Sacramento Monarchs, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, three games to one in a best-of-five series. This was Sacramento's first title.

The 2004 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2004 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Seattle Storm, second-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, two games to one in a best-of-three series. This was Seattle's first title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulsa Shock</span> Basketball team in Oklahoma, United States

The Tulsa Shock were a professional basketball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in Detroit, Michigan before the 1998 WNBA season began; the team moved to Tulsa before the 2010 season. The team was owned by Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, which is led by Bill Cameron and David Box. On July 20, 2015, Cameron announced that the franchise would move to Arlington, Texas for the 2016 WNBA season, rebranding as the Dallas Wings.

The 2011 WNBA season is the 13th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The Lynx qualified for the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since 2004 and won their first Western Conference championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 WNBA Finals</span>

The 2011 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2011 season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Minnesota Lynx, champions of the Western Conference, swept the champions of the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Dream in three games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Las Vegas Aces</span> American professional womens basketball team

The Las Vegas Aces are an American professional basketball team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Aces compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The team plays their home games at Michelob Ultra Arena in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada. The Aces won the 2022 WNBA Commissioner's Cup and WNBA Championship.

References