Albany, N.Y. – It is difficult to quantify, this notion that the UConn women’s mere safe arrival in the arena is worth 20 points on the scoreboard. This is UConn: Emanate, intimidate, eradicate.

The top-seeded Huskies, who have long since forgotten the notion of being any kind of underdog, are another considerable favorite tonight at the Times Union Center, pursuing their eighth straight Final Four. Just don’t tell upstart Dayton, the plucky No. 7 seed that has just beaten Kentucky and Louisville, not to bother posting.

“I think our team thrives on being the underdog,” guard Andrea Hoover said. “We really just want to play as hard as we can. Not just go out there just to be there, but really try to win the game. UConn has all this history behind them, but we’re trying to make our own history, too.”

In many ways, the Flyers (28-6) already have. Coach Jim Jabir was convinced last weekend’s win at Kentucky to reach the Sweet 16 was the greatest day ever. That was replaced by Saturday’s win over Louisville, delivering Dayton to the Elite Eight. It’s the second Dayton team (the men did so last season) to reach the regional finals in as many seasons.

“Truth is, it would be really stupid coming in here thinking we didn’t have a chance to win,” Jabir said. “I think lots of people thought we’d go to Kentucky and lose. I think lots of people thought we’d lose (Saturday). Our kids didn’t. I don’t know what it is, but when we’ve been in the huddle the last two or three games, they’ve had a different look in their eyes. They really believe they’re going to get this done. Who am I to tell them they’re not? What an amazing opportunity for a teenage kid to play on the national stage against the best team in the country. Cool.”

UConn coach Geno Auriemma admitted Sunday that he wasn’t “jumping up and down” at the thought of playing Dayton. He saluted their style of play, hard-to-guard offense and collection of “basketball players,” as opposed to mere athletes. Dayton’s pace also makes it turnover prone, however.

“They play a style that’s fun to watch. They’re fearless. They play. Not intimidated by anybody,” Auriemma said. “They play together, help each other. (Jabir) puts them in great positions where they can be successful. I know a couple of kids from their team from the recruiting process. They’ve all gotten a lot better.

“They are a lot like us,” Auriemma said. “This is going to be a hell of a matchup. You don’t like to play teams similar to you. You want the complete opposite. Hopefully, people watching tomorrow see some great ball movement and people knowing how to use the court to their advantage. I’ve enjoyed watching them play. Whoever wins this game (tonight) and whoever is playing either us or Dayton next weekend is going to have a really tough matchup.”

Hoover, a senior from Bellbrook, Ohio, leads Dayton, averaging 17.6 points per game. Senior forward Ally Malott averages 15,5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Hoover, Malott and Amber Deane are all 1,000-point scorers for the Flyers.

“Experience helps to a certain extent just because maybe you know what to expect,” UConn’s Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis said. “But at the same time, Dayton might have their own edge. It’s the first time they’re going through it and they’ve been overlooked a little bit. They’ve continued to prove themselves after beating teams people didn’t think they could. For us, we’re not going to overlook them. They’ve been playing great.”

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter: @BCGenius