UConn Earns No. 1 Seed: Geno Auriemma on Perfection & Sarah Strong

UConn Secures Top Spot as Top Seed for NCAA Tournament

The UConn Huskies have once again cemented their status as a powerhouse in women’s college basketball, earning the coveted No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for a remarkable 10th time. This prestigious recognition comes after a dominant, undefeated regular season, a testament to the team’s consistent excellence under the guidance of legendary coach Geno Auriemma.

Auriemma Reflects on Rewarding Season and the Weight of Perfection

When asked about the significance of the No. 1 overall seed, Coach Auriemma acknowledged the reward that comes with a strong regular season. “You have a great regular season, you get rewarded for it,” he stated, though he also emphasized its ceremonial nature. “It’s probably mainly ceremonial… But, uh, it’s rewarding for kids. You whether you’re one, two, three, or four, you got to go out and beat the best teams on the court. So, you know, let’s get to it.”

The Huskies have navigated the season with an unblemished record, carrying the weight of perfection. Auriemma noted that this pressure seems to have had little effect on his players. “It doesn’t seem to have bothered them one bit,” he observed. “We just show up, we practice, we go into games. I haven’t felt it. I don’t sense it from them. They just enjoy each other’s company. They like coming to practice and they think they’re pretty good. So, I’m not going to mess with it. I’m just going to roll with it.”

Sarah Strong: An Evolving Force for UConn

A key reason for UConn’s success has been the breathtaking performance of sophomore Sarah Strong. While already impressive last year, Auriemma believes she has continued to elevate her game, even if he demands more. “You know, she was pretty darn good last year in March,” he said. “How do you think she has elevated her game? Um, not enough. If you ask me, she hasn’t elevated it enough.”

Auriemma explained that last year, the attention on Paige Bueckers often overshadowed Strong’s contributions. This season, however, the coaching staff has pushed her to be more assertive offensively. “This year I thought, ‘Okay, well, I’m not going to put up with her passing up all those open shots and trying to get 15 assists every night.’ So, uh, coaching her this year has been a little bit different because, you know, we’ve demanded a lot more from her.”

The results have been undeniable. “She’s been so incredibly efficient in everything that she does. Offensively, defensively, she’s one of a kind,” Auriemma praised. “I don’t know anyone that impacts the game in so many ways at both ends of the floor than Sarah Strong.”

Defense Wins Championships: UConn’s Defensive Prowess

The adage that “defense wins championships” certainly rings true for this UConn squad, which boasts one of the nation’s best defensive units. Auriemma highlighted the team’s collective effort and individual defensive strengths. “I think we play pretty well together,” he commented. “They help each other be better.”

He specifically mentioned the individual defensive capabilities of key players: “A. [presumably referring to Aaliyah Edwards] has gotten really good defensively. K.K. [presumably referring to KK Arnold] has been really, really good defensively, you know, so and and Sarah Strong. So, we got three players that I think individually can really, really play defense. And then everybody else, you know, they they just do a good job of helping each other look good. And so our team defense is way better than our individual defense.”

Auriemma’s March Philosophy: Embrace the Challenge

With 12 national championships already to his name and aiming for a 13th, Auriemma has developed a unique perspective on the NCAA Tournament. When asked what he knows about March that others might not, he humorously attributed his success to recruiting the best players. “Well, the phone numbers are the best players in the country for the last 30 years. So, I, I’m pretty well ahead of them in all those. So that kind of makes winning 12 national championships easy.”

However, his more profound insight lies in embracing the moment. “The only thing I know in March honestly is that you have to enjoy it. You have to embrace it. You have to like the challenge,” he shared. Auriemma admitted that in the past, he’s been consumed by anxiety, but has shifted his mindset. “I’ve been so angst-filled all these years about, ‘Oh my god, we got to play them.’ And you just drive yourself crazy and you don’t even enjoy it. And I think last year I just got to a point where, you know, yeah, we got to play them and they got to play us. And so let’s see what happens.”

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey, regardless of the outcome. “It’s not the end of the world if we don’t win at all. And if we win at all, it’s, you know, we’re not all going to change all of a sudden. So I just try to enjoy it. I mean, come on. You know, it’s March. I get to spend time with you and Ryan, Rebecca, and all the other great people over there. I mean, come on. How can anything be better than that?”

The Mustache Mystery Continues

Adding a touch of personal flair, Auriemma’s mustache was a topic of lighthearted discussion. When asked if it would be a permanent fixture for March Madness, he playfully responded, “I don’t know. You know, I’m not like my son. I can’t grow a hair on my face. So, you know, I’m trying. I’m trying to look like a tough guy, but you know, all my players tell me I’m getting soft.”

Despite his self-deprecating humor, the No. 1 overall seed and undefeated record suggest that Coach Auriemma and the UConn Huskies are indeed doing more than just fine as they head into the NCAA Tournament.

Source: REWARDING! 🤩 Geno Auriemma talks UConn's No. 1 seed & Sarah Strong ahead of NCAA Tourney | ESPN CBB (YouTube)