Sarah Strong just dropped an absolute bomb of a performance, leading No. 4 UConn to a 91-79 victory over No. 10 Iowa after establishing a huge 27-point lead. This was UConn’s big answer to their loss against now-No. 2 Michigan, but if you look closer, it was really *Strong’s* answer. The reigning National Player of the Year is making an authoritative opening bid to repeat, but the big question is, should she have to do it all?
Strong’s Herculean Effort
Seriously, Strong was on another level against Iowa. She lit up the scoreboard with 39 points, grabbed 10 boards, dished out three assists, and even swatted away two blocks. Her shooting was insane, hitting 62.5 percent on her 2-pointers and knocking down 50 percent of her 10 attempts from downtown. That’s pure dominance right there. It was reminiscent of Diana Taurasi’s legendary “carry job” years in 2003 and 2004, when she basically willed the Huskies to back-to-back championships. But here’s the kicker: this current UConn team isn’t supposed to need such Herculean efforts from one player. Coach Geno Auriemma keeps bringing in top-ranked recruits and heralded classes, so you’d think the talent would be spread around more.
Where’s the Supporting Cast?
While Strong was cooking, Blanca Quiñonez stepped up big as a co-star, having her best game of the season. She matched her career high with 21 points in just 29 minutes off the bench, going 4-for-5 from three, adding four assists and five steals. KK Arnold also chipped in with an efficient 14 points and five assists. Jovana Popovic had the quietest game of her freshman season but still contributed 10 points and six assists. And that, my friends, was pretty much it. The source says it plain: the usually-dominant UConn has received little dynamic play from the rest of the roster so far this season. Too many Huskies aren’t turning their projected talent into real threats on the court. Outside of Strong, Quiñonez, and Popovic, this group just isn’t showing compelling offensive creation. Their perimeter players are mostly limited to spot-up three-point shooting, and the posts are confined to at-rim putbacks.
The Big Picture: Not a Championship Formula Yet
This absence of offensive juice is glaring. UConn’s free throw rate is incredibly low, sitting at 18.7 free throws per game, which ranks them a dismal 313th in the nation. Their defensive playmaking numbers are also unimpressive. These are huge red flags, indicating that the Huskies are struggling to generate easy points and extra possessions. That leaves them incredibly dependent on Strong, with a lot riding on Quiñonez and Popovic staying consistent. Let’s be real, relying on one superstar to do it all, no matter how good she is, isn’t a formula for Championship No. 13. While Geno’s teams have a history of finding a way, and they definitely have plenty of time and experience to figure it out, this current setup isn’t it. With a gauntlet of a schedule ahead, they’re going to need more than just Strong’s magic if they want to hang another banner.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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