Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies lost 48-62 against Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four. UConn’s 38-game unbeaten streak came to an end, and they got eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
That should’ve been the biggest highlight of the night. However, Auriemma got into a heated exchange with Staley at the end of the game, and that has dominated every headline related to the matchup.
Two of the best coaches going at each other instead of shaking hands and moving on has prompted responses from several known faces. Here are some of the reactions to Auriemma’s outburst and Staley’s response to the same.
“Defense defense defense. South Carolina’s defense absolutely suffocated Connecticut!” NBA legend Magic Johnson heaped praise on the suffocating defense the Gamecocks showcased in the second half.
Former South Carolina star A’ja Wilson made a bet with former UConn star Paige Bueckers. Based on the result, Bueckers will have to wear Wilson’s shoes for a game.
Wilson FaceTimed her after UConn’s loss and made an L sign with her fingers, adding insult to injury.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders was impressed by how Dawn Staley handled the situation with Auriemma and how she led her team to victory.
“@dawnstaley is my SHERO! I’m so proud of u sis. God bless you. You are Her,” he wrote.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was also left scratching her head after seeing Auriemma’s outburst.
“What the heck is wrong with Auriemma??? Wow….Well done South Carolina and Dawn Staley!!!” she wrote.
Media veteran Skip Bayless stated that with this win, Staley got even with Auriemma. He also called Auriemma a “poor sport.”
“Dawn Staley just got even with Geno as South Carolina dominated UConn the way UConn dominated SCar last year. Then poor sport Geno got into it with Dawn, apparently saying she didn’t shake his hand BEFORE the game. Huh? Sure looked like she did. Go, Dawn go. He looks so bad,” he wrote.
Jason Whitlock also chimed in with his assessment of the exchange. He believes that Auriemma’s meltdown took the focus away from the fact that his team lost tonight.
“Geno’s tantrum saved this first night of the women’s Final Four. The on-court play has been brutal. Geno has served as a wonderful distraction from the primitive play,” he wrote.
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin heaped praise on Dawn Staley for representing the league at a time when Auriemma didn’t care about sportsmanship.
“Congrats @dawnstaley and @GamecockWBB ! Way to represent for our league!!!!!” she wrote.
In a clip of Auriemma and Staley’s exchange, the Gamecocks head coach seemingly said she would “beat Geno’s a**.” It caught Jalen Rose’s attention, and he was highly impressed by Staley’s response.
“BIG @dawnstaley not the little one,” he wrote.
Aliyah Boston also got in on the action. She wrote, “Gooooooo cockssssss” with tongue out emojis.
The Auriemma-Staley exchange made its way to the ‘Best Rapper Alive’ as well. Lil Wayne called out Auriemma, using words that can’t be repeated.
“Geno a h*,” he wrote.
There’s another Wayne post, which can be seen here.
Safe to say, despite the chaos that unfolded at the last second, Staley won the game and everyone’s hearts.
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
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