Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies played Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four matchup yesterday. The Huskies went into that game with an unbeaten 38-0 run throughout the season.
This time, they were going against their strongest opponent yet, and the Gamecocks shocked the Huskies by dominating the game on both ends. They won 62-48 to qualify for the championship game and brought UConn’s unbeaten run to an end.
The Huskies’ loss was overshadowed by the drama that unfolded at the end of the game. With less than a second left on the clock, Staley walked up to Auriemma to shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
Instead of doing that, they got into a heated exchange, which resulted in chaos, and they had to be separated by the coaching staff, players, and refs. Auriemma has been widely criticized for starting the drama.
On a recent episode of Nightcap, Shannon Sharpe and Co. added their thoughts to the ongoing discussion about Coach Geno’s actions. Sharpe said that people expect better from someone as revered as Auriemma.
“This is, I thought I was gonna win, I was supposed to win, and I got beat. That’s what this was about. This was a sore loser. Ain’t about no damn handshake,” Sharpe said.
Joe Johnson also chimed in, stating that Auriemma’s apology was directed more toward the coaching staff when he should have offered a direct apology to Dawn Staley.
“Bro, for you to get in her face like that and talk stuff to her after the game. Man, just congratulate her and move on. I understand in the heat of the battle, we get a little pis*ed off…Man, them girls from South Carolina outplayed them,” he said.
Johnson said that Auriemma was on track to possibly have an undefeated season with an NCAA title win. South Carolina crushed that dream, which made him furious.
Geno Auriemma Should Learn How to Lose with Grace
Auriemma has won everything there is to win in college basketball. He is widely regarded as the greatest coach ever. Chad Johnson believes that someone of his stature must know how to take a loss and move on.
“You should understand and learn how to win with grace and lose with grace. When you beat Ms. Staley last time, you was all smiles, happy, hugs, ready to…whatever it may be,” he said.
But since Auriemma was on the losing side this time, he didn’t have the same courtesy for Staley. In Johnson’s opinion, the Gamecocks dominated in every aspect of the game and Auriemma should’ve accepted that defeat and moved on.
Read More:
Geno Auriemma Drops Cryptic Response on Animated Altercation With Dawn Staley
Will Geno Auriemma Retire After Loss vs South Carolina? UConn HC Makes Baffling Comment
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
