Dawn Staley and the South Carolina women’s basketball team showed up in the Final Four and delivered an epic upset over the top-seeded UConn Huskies to advance to the national championship in the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
It was a hard-fought game, with the Gamecocks pulling away for a 62-48 win, outscoring UConn, 38-22, in the second half.
Advertisement
While it was an epic game, there was a stunning moment in the final quarter where UConn head coach Geno Auriemma lost his cool and confronted Staley at midcourt, which led to a heated confrontation on the sideline.
WATCH: Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma have heated altercation in tense Final Four battle
After the game, ESPN hosts Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike sounded off on the incident, ripping Auriemma for his “problematic” and “hypocritical” actions.
“The truth is, is that what he did was extremely problematic, in my opinion. And it was a buildup of things being problematic, starting with Sarah Strong,” Ogwumike said. “He called out the fact that Sarah Strong’s jersey was torn, but she was actually doing it self-inflicted. She was the one who tore it. And then I’ve never seen a circumstance in the middle of a quarter where you call out an opposing coach and just say that you’re frustrated and sort of looking that way, you know, leering over there.
Advertisement
WATCH: Geno Auriemma crashes out during UConn’s Final Four shocker
“That to me was another problem. But last but not least, catching Dawn at the end of the game off guard and confronting her with the handshake, like all of this, because she didn’t shake your hand. Time and time again, we see Dawn Stately rise to the occasion, take the high road. And I do know he mentioned this double standard in some of his comments. The double standard is that if Dawn acted that way, it would probably be a completely different conversation. And so to me, it was really difficult.”
Ogwumike added, “The reality is, unfortunately, this was not Geno’s best moment. It was a moment that I never saw coming, but he should be held. He’s the one who has to be responsible for explaining his actions. “
Advertisement
Carter echoed Ogwumike’s comments about the double standard, calling Auriemma out for being hypocritical.
“The first thing that comes to my mind as I was re-listening to what Geno said is how hypocritical it is. Like, he is so frustrated with Coach Staley for apparently breaking these protocols pre-game, but he breaks protocols post-game. He doesn’t shake the South Carolina players’ hands,” Carter said. “He doesn’t shake her staff. He doesn’t go through the line like everybody does after any game. You go through the line, and you say good game.
“South Carolina played so well. They deserved him going through that line, Geno Auriemma, and telling them that they did a good job.
It was an unfortunate moment from an incredible game, but now Auriemma will have to take time to reflect on the outburst and hopefully apologize after the emotions settle down. He’ll have plenty of time to reflect on that moment with the Huskies now watching the national championship at home.
Advertisement
Staley and the Gamecocks, meanwhile, will turn their attention to Sunday afternoon, where they will face off against the UCLA Bruins for the title. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
