During a men’s college basketball game on Thursday where the UConn Huskies routed Xavier Musketeers 93-68, FOX broadcaster Gus Johnson made a wild claim while admiring the UConn women’s team.
So much so that, according to Johnson, the UConn women’s basketball team is capable of winning the WNBA title.
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Under coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies women’s team has accomplished 12 national championships and six perfect seasons. This year, they are on their way to make it 13 and seven going into the NCAA Tournament with a 34-0 record.
As the Huskies men’s team was dominating Xavier on Thursday, Johnson couldn’t help but mention how the program has become a basketball powerhouse. “You would never think with the Dukes and the North Carolinas, those kind of teams out there, that the University of Connecticut is literally the cradle for champions with the men and the women,” he said.
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Throwing spotlight on the UConn women’s team he said, “The women, it’s not even fair. It’s just not fair! They should put that women’s team in the WNBA. I bet you they’d go to the playoffs.” According to Johnson, “They might even win it!”
While the broadcaster believes the UConn women’s team is capable of toppling pro WNBA teams, coach Auriemma has a different opinion. Yes, his squad featuring future icons like Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong has remained unbeaten this season, but he refuses to believe that this team is better than last year when Paige Bueckers was also there before eventually leaving to make her WNBA debut for the Dallas Wings.
According to Sports Illustrated Auriemma said, “There are a lot of times when I watch us play and I say, that wouldn’t have happened if we had Paige.” He continued, “I have a few more players that we can trust to put on the court. And that’s why I said I think we’re different. We have a different way of playing. We have different options. But none of those guys I bring off the bench are Paige.”
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Entering the NCAA Tournament, the 2024-25 champions will be the favorites to clinch the title once again. Per the Big East Coach of the Year, “We’ve got a great group. We can do a lot of different things and our defense has been really really good all season long. If we stay in that mindset, then we’ll have a chance.”
Related: UConn Shares Major Azzi Fudd News Before NCAA Tournament
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
