...
By Megan Armstrong
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The undefeated UConn Huskies are one step closer to repeating as national champions of the women's NCAA Tournament.
No. 1 UConn emerged victorious, 70-52, over No. 6 Notre Dame in the Elite Eight at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday afternoon. After reaching the Final Four for the third straight year, UConn celebrated on the court.
Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma — the all-time winningest coach in Division I basketball — took the mic to praise his team.
Read More on NCAA
"I don't think I've ever been prouder to take a team to the Final Four than this team right here," he said.
...
Auriemma was then promptly showered with confetti and had a cowboy hat placed on his head. While beaming, Auriemma danced while surrounded by his players.
In the postgame press conference, USA Today reporter Meghan L. Hall asked UConn stars Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong about Auriemma dancing in the cowboy hat.
"I thought that the cowboy hat looked pretty good on him, and when he breaks out the dance moves, that's how you know he's happy," said Fudd, a projected top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
"Seeing him excited and kind of goofy is really, really good for us because he's not usually like that," said Sarah Strong, the Big East Player of the Year. "He's usually all serious and 'Grrr,' like angry or grumpy. Just seeing him let loose and be his true self was really, really, really good."
Auriemma and all the Huskies will be happy if they can become the first women's Division I team to repeat as national champions since Auriemma's UConn teams ripped off a four-peat from 2013 to 2016.
UConn will face Monday's winner between No. 1 South Carolina and No. 3 TCU in the Final Four. If the Huskies get Dawn Staley's South Carolina Gamecocks, it will be a star-studded rematch of last year's national championship game. The Gamecocks would be out for revenge, as UConn beat South Carolina, 82-59, to rob South Carolina of becoming repeat champions last April.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines