It is highly unlikely to find any player who would strike fear into UConn Huskies women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma.
Having won 12 NCAA championships, Auriemma is one of the best coaches in women’s basketball history. Despite having been at the helm in UConn for over 40 years, he continues to lead the most successful program in all of college sports.
In 2024, the Huskies once again had a stacked roster with Paige Bueckers leading the way. The young guard was averaging a career-best 21.9 points on over 40% shooting from three-point range.
After her performance against USC in the Elite Eight, where she scored 28 points with 10 rebounds, 6 assists and three steals, Auriemma had announced that Bueckers was the best player in the country.
However, his stance changed immediately after he realised that the Huskies’ opponents in the Final Four was going to be Iowa.
Geno Auriemma was quick to give the best player in the world crown to Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark had been to the National Championship final with Iowa in the 2022-23 season, where they met LSU. Having faced them in the 2023-24 season, Clark dropped 41 points to help the Hawkeyes secure the win in Elite Eight.
Clark confirmed that she did not have revenge in her mind for all that LSU did after winning the championship. Despite that, she dropped a monstrous performance, which is why Auriemma did not want to cause any problems with his best player comments.
“I hope Caitlin Clark had a personal agenda against LSU. I know there’s nothing personal between me and her. I don’t need to be seeing her drop 50 on us next weekend,” Auriemma said. “I love her. I think she’s the best player. Forget I ever said Paige is the best player in the country. I think (Caitlin’s) the best player of all time. I don’t know whoever said Paige is the best player.”
Auriemma’s backtracked comment did not seem to do wonders, as Clark dropped 21 points with 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals against UConn.
She had a poor first half with just six points, as Nika Muhl was putting up a stellar defensive performance. However, she came up big in the fourth quarter, helping the Hawkeyes to a stellar start and then finishing by scoring a clutch free throw to secure a 71-69 win. Iowa went on to play South Carolina in the national championship game and despite Clark’s 30-point performance, they fell short, losing 87-75 to Dawn Staley’s team.
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