A crushing Final Four loss where UConn scored their fewest NCAA Tournament points in 34 years wasn’t even the wildest part. Nope, everyone is still buzzing about coach Geno Auriemma confronting South Carolina’s Dawn Staley on the court, a moment he openly regrets now, admitting he “couldn’t keep it in for five more seconds.” That public exchange, fueled by what Auriemma felt was a lack of handshake protocol, is poised to become front-page news again when these titans clash at Mohegan Sun Arena on November 24.
The Fallout From a Record Low
That semifinal loss to South Carolina was a gut punch, not just because it ended their title hopes, but because UConn only managed 48 points, a number not seen from them in an NCAA Tournament game in 34 years. And yet, the on-court confrontation between Auriemma and Staley is what truly stuck with people. Auriemma knows it, too. He candidly shared his frustration with the public’s fickle nature, saying, “People that call me the best coach who ever lived for winning in 2025 to the worst person who ever lived. You don’t believe them when they call you either one of those things. You learn something every day.” He even hinted that this kind of scrutiny is why long-time coaches like Nick Saban eventually step away. You gotta respect that kind of honesty, even if it’s born from regret.
A New Look, Potentially Deeper Squad
The Huskies are coming into the season as the No. 2 team in the AP preseason poll, but it’s not the same roster that saw Azzi Fudd go No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft or Serah Williams head off to the pros, not to mention the graduation of Paige Bueckers. Still, this team could be *deeper*, and that’s a dangerous thought for the rest of the league. AP Player of the Year Sarah Strong is back to lead the charge, joined by veteran guards KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade, and last year’s top freshman Blanca Quiñonez. Keep an eye on the new blood: freshman Jovana Popovic, already a Serbian national team player, tore it up in exhibition games against Syracuse and Texas. And center Olivia Vukosa, a Croatian national team member since 2023 and a No. 2 recruit, brings some serious size and skill.
Geno’s Unfiltered Self-Reflection
Auriemma, a Hall of Famer who’s guided the Huskies to three titles with Diana Taurasi and four straight with Breanna Stewart, knows a thing or two about building champions. But even he admitted they were hiding some “deficiencies” during their 38-0 run last year, confessing, “we would go to practice each and every day, and our coaching staff would go, ‘Do you think we can hide this for one more weekend?’ Unfortunately, we couldn’t.” That kind of frank assessment from a coach who usually keeps his cards close tells you everything. He’s not just moving on, he’s learning. He and his staff know what went wrong, and they’ve approached this offseason like any other in his storied career, focused on plugging those holes.
The next time UConn steps on the court against South Carolina on November 24, it won’t just be a game, it’ll be a showdown. With Auriemma’s raw honesty hanging in the air and a potentially deeper squad ready to prove themselves, this season is shaping up to be an absolute must-watch. Can this new-look team channel that Final Four heartbreak and Auriemma’s fire into another legendary run? You know we’ll be glued to the screen to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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