Geno Auriemma stood on the sidelines, hands on his hips, with his left leg raised. Despite his team having a commanding 34-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Connecticut coach appeared dejected, crossing his arms like a frustrated teacher.
Even with such a comfortable cushion against a powerhouse like St. John’s, Auriemma’s relentless drive pushes him to expect more from the Huskies. His players need to elevate their game if they want to compete for back-to-back national championships.
Under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden, No. 1 UConn trounced the Johnnies 85-49, finishing a perfect regular season. This performance overshadowed the previous week’s victory over the same team, which had been a significant win at 72-40.
However, there was no grand celebration for the Huskies, who have now achieved a 47-game winning streak. That’s just not in UConn’s nature; they won’t celebrate until they’ve earned the right to cut the nets after clinching the national title.
One of the highlights of their successful season was Auriemma telling his players how proud he was. Still, he reminded them, “We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the Big East Tournament.”
The team is already functioning like a well-oiled machine, routinely defeating opponents by an average margin of over 38 points during their streak that started last February.
But March brings its own set of challenges, and UConn needs to refine their skills. “I’m just trying to perfect every facet of my game in practice,” said Sarah Strong. “It’s unlikely to be flawless, but I think we can come pretty close.”
This season’s storyline suggests that the Huskies are even stronger than last year’s squad, which ended their title drought with Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in last year’s WNBA Draft, leading the charge. Yet when a reporter suggested this year’s team might be better, Auriemma was quick to disagree.
“I don’t like that narrative,” he responded. “You can’t say they’re better after losing one of the top five players in the WNBA. I see moments in games and think, ‘That wouldn’t have happened’ if she were here.” He noted that while the current team is capable of reaching a high level, it’s fundamentally different from last year’s squad.
Strong, now a sophomore, has seen personal improvement, averaging 18.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.1 steals. Meanwhile, Azi Fad has established himself as a deadly sharpshooter, converting 45.4 percent of his 6.9 three-point attempts per game this season. KK Arnold has stepped up as a reliable playmaker, and Blanca Quiñones stands out among the nation’s top freshmen.
Even with all that talent, there’s still a lingering thought…
“None of the players who came off the bench this season compare to Paige,” Auriemma admitted. He earlier noted that great teams require players who excel in multiple aspects of the game.
This UConn team has the pieces in place for a strong postseason, potentially conquering the tournament in Phoenix and bringing home another championship.
“We have ample talent to contend for a national title,” Auriemma stated. “But, like any other contender, we have to bring our best game. It’s often the case that the best teams win, but sometimes it’s a team that hits its stride at just the right moment.”
Auriemma expressed satisfaction in clinching the Big East regular season title, achieved last month, and anticipates a successful run in the upcoming conference tournament.
The ultimate goal? To emerge victorious from March Madness and be the last team standing.
Since 1982, only 21 teams have gone unbeaten in the regular season, with ten of them capturing the NCAA Tournament title. This marks UConn’s tenth undefeated regular season, with six of those resulting in national championships.
“It’s certainly not an easy path,” Auriemma reflected. “It’s something to take pride in, and the players should be proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
