-
Alexa PhilippouESPN
Storrs, Connecticut — 2020-21 National Player of the Year Paige Bookers Injuries may keep him out of the season, but UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma is still confident in his program’s ability to bring in another national title at some point in the future. .
“I’m going to win another one,” Auriema told reporters before the school’s “First Night” pep rally. Sooner or later it will be good for me.”
Auriemma, 68, led the team to a national title match in April. This was his first program appearance since 2016, when he lost to South Carolina. This is the first time UConn have fallen in a national championship game, having gone 11-0 in previous instances.
Won Player of the Year Award Aaliyah Boston Returning as a senior this season and with three other returning starters, the Gamecocks are considered the frontrunners to win it all in 2022-23.
The Huskies were considered by many to be the best challengers to South Carolina until Bookers collapsed with a torn ACL in early August. The 5-foot-11 point guard from Minnesota missed 19 games in 2021-22 with a tibial plateau fracture and a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, but he’ll be back in time to propel UConn to a national championship game. Elite Eight against North Carolina in a captivating performance.
The UCLA men also have 11 titles, but Auriemma is the only DI basketball coach with that many titles. The 12th national title is the best result for any school. Aside from Bookers’ absence, the Huskies, who ranked him No. 6 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early preseason rankings, are looking to fill the void of WNBA-drafted senior trio Kristin Williams and Olivia Nelson . Ododa and Evina Westbrook.
To make up for the loss, UConn relies on repeaters and such. Aji Fad, caroline ducharm, Aaliyah Edwards and Dorka Jujas, and newcomers Lou Lopez Seneschal (transferred from Fairfield), Ines Bettencourt (freshman from Portugal), ice brady (freshman, 5th recruit per espnW) and Ayanna Patterson (Freshman, 4th Recruit).
“We’re just trying to make sure everyone stays in their normal way of playing, but if you ask them to do that, they’ll end up having to do a little more,” Auriemma said. “It’s those little things that you’re trying to tell them and they’ve been great. They’re really receptive and embracing it.”
Auriemma has covered Buckers’ injury and its impact on the team several times, but wants to put it on the back burner as the team seeks to maintain the program’s typical standards of excellence without a superstar. UConn got a taste of it last year in Bueckers’ extended absence. All but two regular contributors also missed time through injury or illness at some point in the season, with Juhas suffering a season-ending wrist injury in the Elite Eight.
Improbably, the Huskies defeated two No. 1 seeds in the tournament (North Carolina and then Stanford in the U.S. semifinals) to place them within a win of another national title.
“It was like last year when Paige went through 20 games he didn’t play. Until we get knocked out, we’re contenders for the national championship.” But today, October 14th, we’re more likely than anyone else to win the national championship…and see where that takes us…not so good.June and It’s the same chance, but you still have a chance.”
Auriemma takes a step back from the team’s unprecedented four consecutive titles from 2013 to 2016 (two seasons unbeaten and a 111-game winning streak) but appreciates it more. I was asked if
“The further away I think [the 2013-2016 run], so much so that you realize it was a fantasy land that we created,” Auriema said. So you should make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. So I am really grateful for the opportunity that we have now. what have we been to [a record] 14 straight Final Fours?… It’s very hard to get there, but even more so to win.”
Junior Buckers has already announced his intention to return for the 2023-24 season. By wearing a redshirt this season, she will pursue qualification for three seasons after returning home, thanks to the “gift” COVID-19 year given to all student-athletes amid the 2020-21 pandemic. was completed.
UConn learns a lot about the team without Bueckers early on. Hosting Texas, North Carolina, and Princeton, and traveling to Notre Dame and Maryland within his first month of the season, Phil will face Duke and possibly Iowa in his Knight Legacy tournament. They then play Tennessee in Knoxville on January 26 and South Carolina in Hartford on February 5.
