Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies delivered a statement victory on Sunday, dismantling South Carolina 87-58 on their home court. The win not only ended the Gamecocks’ 71-game home win streak but also reinforced UConn’s legitimacy as a championship contender.
With March Madness approaching, Auriemma believes his team is hitting its stride at the right time.
Geno Auriemma’s UConn’s Dominant Win Over South Carolina
The Huskies’ performance against the defending national champions was nothing short of dominant. Azzi Fudd led the charge with 28 points, showcasing her elite scoring ability. Sarah Strong contributed a double-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.
Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers, projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, had a well-rounded performance with 12 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
UConn’s aggressive play dismantled South Carolina’s defense, creating open opportunities and controlling the pace. The Gamecocks, who went undefeated last season en route to a national title, struggled to respond.
Their loss to UConn served as a wake-up call, proving that the Huskies are one of the most dangerous teams heading into the NCAA tournament.
Auriemma, who has led UConn to 11 national championships since taking over in 1985, is eager to add another title to his resume. The program has not won a national championship since 2016, marking an unusually long drought by their standards. After Sunday’s game, Auriemma spoke to ESPN about his team’s potential.
“Some years you know in training camp… ‘We got this.’ Right? And then other years it kinda evolves. We’re evolving,” he said.
“I just said this to somebody – I think we’re gonna be a tremendous NCAA tournament team. I really do,” Auriemma followed up with.
“I think we are going to be a tremendous NCAA tournament team.”
Geno Auriemma is confident in his Huskies 💪 pic.twitter.com/10X9holeXq
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) February 16, 2025
Despite their impressive win, UConn currently sits at No. 7 in the AP Top 25 Poll. The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and Notre Dame positioned as the top four seeds for now.
However, with four weeks remaining until Selection Sunday, UConn has a strong chance to improve its position and secure a No. 1 seed.
South Carolina’s loss to the Huskies was unexpected, considering their dominance last season. They had already proven their ability to handle elite competition by defeating Caitlin Clark’s Iowa team in last year’s national championship game.
UConn exposed weaknesses that could impact South Carolina’s repeat bid.
During the first quarter, UConn established a seven-point lead. Auriemma, speaking at that moment, commented on his team’s approach.
“So far so good, you know? Like I said earlier, you know, I think it comes down to do we make enough shots down that end? We’ve done a pretty good job with that,” the coach shared.
He also outlined the importance of offensive execution and ball movement.
“That’s what we need now, we need a couple more makes. The more times we can get them shooting the ball, obviously the better for us. That draws a lot of attention, and then you get Ashlynn Shade hit some open threes. So we want to try to get Sarah [Strong] more involved now in the second quarter. So just keep our fingers crossed.”
What’s Next for the Huskies?
UConn’s performance against South Carolina sent a clear message to the rest of the country. The Huskies are not just contenders—they are a legitimate threat to win the national championship.
With key players stepping up and Auriemma guiding the team with his championship experience, UConn appears poised for a deep tournament run.
The team’s upcoming games will be crucial in securing a favorable seed for March Madness. They will need to maintain their momentum, refine their execution, and avoid any slip-ups that could hurt their tournament positioning.
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UConn’s ability to disrupt South Carolina’s rhythm and dictate the game’s pace is a sign of their growing confidence. If they continue to play with the same intensity and execution, they could be lifting the national championship trophy for the first time in nearly a decade.
Selection Sunday is fast approaching, and UConn has put the basketball world on notice. The Huskies are evolving and might be peaking at the right time.
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