DECISION SOON — Nicole Wolff will decide within the next few weeks whether she will return next season for her fourth year of eligibility. She was granted a medical redshirt after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee after playing in only three games in 2003-04.

"I think I really just haven't made up my mind yet," Wolff said. "It's not something that I've put off, but I've tried to keep my mind open during the season as to what I was going to do. And now that Senior Night's approaching, I do want to make a decision before that so if I am going to leave, I can have Senior Night."

A UConn source said that the team is now taking the necessary steps to include Wolff in the Senior Night festivities Feb. 25 at Gampel Pavilion. Wolff has already completed her academic requirements to earn a bachelor's degree in marketing and has been accepted into UConn's masters of business administration program.

"I have no idea which way Nicole is thinking, but I'd like to think that she knows," coach Geno Auriemma said. "It's hard to come back for that extra year. Shea Ralph did and it was tough. Jessica Moore and Ashley Battle had each other. It's a difficult decision. Yes, it's hard to leave here. But it's hard to be back here on your own."

ACHING — Barbara Turner needed treatment and a sizable amount of tape on her right calf just to get on the court Tuesday against South Florida. As she sat on the bench in the early stages of the

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second half, she had a heating pad draped over her right leg.

This is what it's come to for Turner, a senior forward who has had more ailments than any 21-year-old should ever have to endure. Yet, through all of the adversity, she's assembled a fine career. She had a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes Tuesday to increase her career totals to 1,364 points, 658 rebounds and 2,820 minutes in 121 games.

"I feel 90 years old," Turner said. "I still play young, so I guess that's good. I've got to heat everything. I've got to warm up. I've got to ride bikes. Man, it's a mess. I feel like Patrick Ewing or something. I just try to keep myself warm because I know when I get stiff, I won't be able to move out there."

Ann Strother has also been bothered by injuries. She has a stress reaction and plantar fasciitis in her left foot.

"For whatever reason, this is the time of year when guys get banged up a little bit," Auriemma said.

UCONN EXTRA

WEEK AHEAD

SATURDAY AT NO. 12 DEPAUL, 8 p.m. (CPTV) — This just in: The Huskies have to go on the road to play before a sellout crowd. Khara Smith and the Blue Demons have won 33 straight games at home.

TUESDAY AT LOUISVILLE, 7:30 p.m. (CPTV, CSTV) — This is the finale of an important trip for the Huskies. The Cardinals are 8-0 at home this season and have won 12 straight at Freedom Hall dating back to last season.

POWER RANKINGS

Through Wednesday

1. DUKE (19-0) — The balanced Blue Devils took apart Tennessee rather easily. They can stake claim to being the early favorite to win it all by beating North Carolina Sunday.

2. NORTH CAROLINA (18-0) — Tennessee failed. Can the Tar Heels solve the Blue Devils and take a step forward in the ACC and nationally?

3. TENNESSEE (18-1) — The Lady Vols were abused and embarrassed by Duke, two things that have rarely happened to them over the years.

4. UCONN (18-2) — With six of their remaining 10 games on the road, the Huskies will find out just how tough they are.

5. LSU (16-1) — Augustus scored 24 and had the game-winning jumper to save the Lady Tigers in a one-point win at Georgia Sunday.

— RICH ELLIOTT