Live from UConn: Geno Auriemma Previews Showdown with South Carolina
As the countdown to Sunday’s highly anticipated top-10 clash between UConn and South Carolina continues, head coach Geno Auriemma met with the media on Friday to share his insights. Here’s what he had to say about the upcoming matchup, his team’s progression, and the state of women’s college basketball.
Big Games, Big Lessons
When asked whether his players understand that this isn’t a do-or-die game, Auriemma was candid:
“No, I mean, I try to emphasize that most teams don’t enjoy playing these games. I don’t either, honestly. February is tough—other teams get a break while we’re out here battling top opponents. But we play these games because they’re necessary, they make us better. At the end of the day, the only games that really matter are the ones where if you lose, you have no games left.”
Parity in Women’s Basketball?
With UCLA suffering its first loss, the national rankings appear more balanced than ever. Auriemma noted the shift in competition:
“The landscape is full of really good teams. But does anyone feel like they have a great team? Probably not. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. Multiple teams believe they have a shot to go deep in March. Some teams we aren’t even talking about right now? In two weeks, we will be.”
The increased competitiveness, he believes, makes the NCAA Tournament even more unpredictable.
Team Progress and Tennessee’s Impact
Reflecting on his team’s recent performances, Auriemma praised their defensive consistency but acknowledged offensive fluctuations:
“All of January and February, we’ve been solid defensively. Offense? Sometimes incredible, sometimes average. But are we improving? Yeah, I think so.”
When asked about the emotional weight of the Tennessee loss compared to others, he admitted:
“Every loss should be personal. Maybe for some, this one hit harder. But we’ve had great, productive practices since. The key is building habits—good habits. You can’t expect to flip a switch for a big game if you’re not working daily.”
Do These Games Define UConn?
There’s a perception that these marquee matchups—against South Carolina, Tennessee, Notre Dame—define UConn’s season. Auriemma disagrees:
“I don’t buy into that. Last year, we were 4-3 at one point, and all losses were to top teams. That wasn’t who we were, just who we were then. These games are opportunities. Hell, I remember Tennessee coming here and beating us at Gampel Pavilion, then we turned around and beat them for the national title. These games show our strengths, weaknesses, and what needs fixing.”
He warned against overreacting, win or lose:
“If we had won the last three, people might think we’re unbeatable. That’s just as dangerous. I try to keep it real for these players.”
Roster Updates and South Carolina’s Future on UConn’s Schedule
On injuries, Auriemma gave updates on Ice Brady and Morgan Cheli:
“Ice is looking good. Morgan? Still in a boot, going through tests. Neither will play Sunday.”
With the Big East expanding to 20 conference games, scheduling high-profile non-conference battles will be trickier:
“In a perfect world, I’d love to keep these matchups. But we need balance. Playing two of these in February? It’s tough.”
Azzi Fudd’s Shooting and Offensive Balance
Asked about Azzi Fudd’s three-point shooting impact:
“Oh, it’ll be huge—if it goes in,” Auriemma quipped. “We need a three-pronged attack: inside scoring, three-pointers, and getting to the free-throw line. We aren’t the biggest team, so we may give up more twos, meaning we have to hit more threes.”
He stressed that one shooter can’t carry the team alone:
“If Azzi goes 7-for-10 but others go 0-for-12, that’s not balance. Everyone needs to contribute.”
Struggles in Big Games: What’s the Fix?
Inconsistency in hitting open threes and finishing at the rim has hurt UConn in marquee matchups. Auriemma’s response?
“What’s the fix? No idea. Just keep putting them in those situations. You’ve been around long enough—you see teams that are up, down, sideways, and you still can’t figure out why they are what they are.”
Aubrey Griffin’s Role and the Importance of Depth
Having Aubrey Griffin healthy again is a game-changer:
“She gets us more possessions on offense. Rebounds, transition scoring—she does things that disrupt defenses. You think you’ve stopped us, then boom, offensive rebound, extra possession, open three. That’s huge.”
Final Thoughts
Auriemma wrapped up by reinforcing his belief in his team:
“No one plays at full potential for 26 games straight. But the key is getting the most players peaking when it matters most. Can we do it? We’ll see.”
With Sunday’s showdown looming, UConn fans will soon find out just how prepared their team is for the challenge ahead.
