STORRS, Conn. (AP) — More than a month after UConn’s women’s basketball team lost to South Carolina in the Final Four, Geno Auriemma shared his thoughts on the heated exchange he had with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley following the game.
Auriemma admitted that after walking into the locker room, he felt frustration over how the final moments unfolded. “You just feel dumb for the way it played out,” he said. “We’re all human and make mistakes.”
During the final seconds of South Carolina’s 62-48 victory in Phoenix, Auriemma approached Staley and appeared to scold her. Coaches from both teams had to step in to separate them. After the game ended, Auriemma left the court without shaking hands with anyone from South Carolina.
The incident overshadowed South Carolina’s strong defensive performance against UConn, which included two first-team All-Americans. Auriemma acknowledged that some of the criticism he received was deserved but noted that others were waiting for any opportunity to pounce.
He compared the backlash to a similar situation in 1998 when he helped an injured player set a scoring record. “It was immediately seen as the worst thing in basketball,” he said, adding that people often focus on negative actions rather than the bigger picture.
Auriemma has moved past the incident and is now focused on the upcoming 2026-27 season. Despite losing key players like WNBA No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, UConn remains a top contender. The team will rely on returning stars like national player of the year Sarah Strong and incoming freshmen.
Auriemma emphasized the importance of his players improving individually. He expects Strong to take on more responsibilities and noted that other players like Blanca Quinonez and Olivia Vukosa will also step up. The team also brings back Morgan Cheli, who missed last season due to an injury but is ready to contribute.
UConn’s focus now is on building a stronger lineup for the next season. With key players returning and new talent joining, Auriemma remains confident in his team’s potential.