Another sign of growth

Loyalists of women's basketball are justified in rolling their eyes at another "growth of the game" opus, usually authored by some drive-by blatherer lacking an original idea.

Besides, in the spirit of crying wolf, if the "look how far they've come" theme is repeated enough, the days of real growth are dulled, if not muted.

You know how the game grows? Not when ESPN tells you ratings are up 38 percent. The game grows on some nothing Monday when nobody sees it coming. Suddenly … boom … there is women's basketball seeping its way into mainstream sports conversation.

Suddenly … boom … people who might buy tickets to sporting events, but are otherwise unfamiliar with the game, are exposed to it.

The game grew Monday.

From a little after 3 p.m. to a little before 3:20.

That's when Kim Barnes Arico, the coach of the St. John's women, made the airwaves of WFAN radio and the YES Network with Mike Francesa.

Barnes Arico recalled the previous 48 hours, during which the Red Storm became the game's flavor of the month. Barnes Arico earned her 20 minutes because her team was significantly more famous at 9 p.m. last Saturday night than it was at 7. That's what happens when you break UConn's 99-game home win streak.

Francesa's show, opinions of it not withstanding, is the single biggest barometer of sporting interest in the biggest city in the world, not to mention our world and most of New Jersey, too. And for women's basketball, in the middle of February, to earn 20 minutes on his show — and simulcast across the country — translates into an infomercial whose worth is immeasurable.

Talk about the perfect confluence of events. A team from New York beats the game's national frame of reference. It helps that the most influential host on the station is a St. John's grad.

And then women's basketball wins.

It's not the first time Francesa has shown an interest in women's basketball. Geno Auriemma has been an occasional guest, long having since graduated from the infamous Nykesha Sales incident that earned him an unpleasant debut. Auriemma has been on many times having a few laughs with Francesa and erstwhile partner Mad Dog Russo.

They even interviewed Sun coach Mike Thibault last time the Sun made the WNBA Finals. It featured the following:

Russo: "Do you curse at your players?"

Thibault: "They know every word I know."

Russo cackled his inimitable cackle.

They talked about the players, league, even Mohegan Sun. When Thibault hung up, Francesa and Russo didn't just cut to a commercial. They talked about the emergence of the women's game.

Francesa should be commended for not being too important to talk about women's basketball. Talk show hosts at other stations, less powerful and influential, could take a few cues.

Could you imagine all the philosophers of Boston sports radio lowering themselves to talk women's basketball? (Or any college sports?)

It was a historic day for women's basketball. Some of you may scoff at the premise that for the game to gain legitimacy, the Francesas of the world must recognize it.

This just in: The Francesas of the world must recognize it. The Francesas of the world control mainstream conversation.

Those of us who float between the men's and women's games know how women's basketball gets dismissed by all the important people.

And it's doubtful the important people care that ESPN's ratings are up. Or believe it. But when a coach no one really knew before gets 20 minutes on one of the nation's biggest sports talk shows, they have no choice but to notice.

If nothing else, this story underscores UConn's importance to the women's basketball. Even in losing, they were responsible for some winning Monday afternoon.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.