UConn’s Geno Auriemma shares players-first message after clinching Final Four berth

Auriemma took some time postgame to truly enjoy the moment. He donned a cowboy hat while celebrating with his team on the floor.

“I’m just grateful, I really am,” Auriemma added.

Auriemma should celebrate. The UConn women’s basketball team reached its 17th Final Four, in the last 18 NCAA tournaments. That is pretty astonishing. The Huskies downed Notre Dame on Sunday, 70-52, to accomplish that feat.

Sarah Strong paced the Huskies with 21 points.

“The performance was good for Strong’s 31st career 20-point game, which ties program legend Breanna Stewart for the most by a UConn player through their first two years with the team over the past 25 seasons,” Alexa Philippou reported for ESPN.

Advertisement

The Huskies offense struggled during the Notre Dame game. It was the team’s defense that gave them a lift. UConn allowed Notre Dame to shoot just 39 percent from the floor.

Notre Dame’s head coach gave flowers to UConn after the game.

“They’re deep, and anybody can step up if others are not playing well. I mean, their two best players still ended with double figures. There’s a very physical, very confident team. They play well with each other. Very disciplined. You know, they’re a really, really good team,” Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said, per CT Insider.

The UConn women will play either TCU or South Carolina in the Final Four. UConn is now 38-0 on the season, following the Notre Dame win.

Advertisement

Related: Fans ruthlessly target Duke’s Jon Scheyer after UConn loss

Related: Duke Blue Devils most to blame for epic Elite Eight meltdown vs. UConn