On Feb. 6, the UConn Huskies traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee and misplaced to the College of Tennessee for the primary time in 17 years. For critics of head coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies, it was a defeat that pushed UConn additional into the shadows of their former selves, a program main the nation with 11 Nationwide Titles all-time — however none since 2016.
After the sport, Auriemma introduced warmth upon himself from followers and media alike after he referred to as out his star guard Paige Bueckers, saying “Paige desires the ball in her fingers on a regular basis, then once they entice her, she doesn’t need the ball in her fingers. So then we attempt to get her transferring from one factor to a different, transferring with out the ball, and it’s so-so.”
On Sunday, the Huskies have been again taking part in within the nationwide highlight, this time touring to Columbia, South Carolina for a matchup in opposition to the Gamecocks, the reigning nationwide champions.
The No. 4 Gamecocks and the No. 7 Huskies was as a lot of a battle of teaching philosophies because it was stars dealing with off on the court docket. The previous in opposition to each the current and the longer term.
With Auriemma, it’s years of expertise main a program with blunt reality and pushing his workforce to do higher. For head coach Daybreak Staley, the facet with three nationwide championship trophies of their trophy cupboard, all coming since UConn final hoisted one themselves, the Gamecocks are recognized for a extremely aggressive, household, surroundings the place nobody participant is bigger than the group, evidenced by a nation-leading 42 bench factors per sport.
UConn confirmed in SEC nation that the previous continues to be fairly sturdy, demolishing South Carolina 87-58.
South Carolina’s house crowd, pushing tickets on the secondary market to over $200 simply to get into the door Sunday afternoon, are recognized for making a loud, chaotic ambiance. After boos reigned down on the Huskies as they ran out for introductions, the three-point photographs adopted swimsuit for UConn.
Within the first quarter, UConn constructed a lead with three-point taking pictures and lopsided rebounding. From past the arc, projected No. 1 WNBA draft choose Paige Bueckers hit a 3 and added two assists, whereas guard Ashlynn Shade hit each of her makes an attempt from past the arc and scored 9 factors within the first half, eclipsing her eight factors per sport season common.
For Freshman ahead Sarah Sturdy, taking part in in opposition to the nationwide champions didn’t create too massive of a second for the primary yr UConn star. Sturdy grabbed six rebounds within the first quarter, in comparison with seven complete for the Gamecocks. The freshman additionally hit a contested three-point shot from the nook, poked the ball away within the backcourt in one-on-defense and dove to the court docket on a possible turnover from Bueckers, swatting the ball away from South Carolina defenders to provide Bueckers an open jumper within the put up.
South Carolina is thought for not giving up on performs, assembly groups with physicality and benefiting from their possibilities on offense. UConn met their depth and took it to a different stage.
UConn quieted the gang with at the least 5 gamers hitting a three-point shot and out rebounded South Carolina 48-29 and 15-6 on offensive boards, scoring 11 second probability factors to 6 for the Gamecocks. That’s not regular for a Staley-led facet.
For the toughness Auriemma despatched his gamers’ means, the Huskies didn’t fold — they responded.
Taking pictures guard Azzi Fudd led the Huskies with 28 factors and 23 of these got here within the second half. It places Fudd at 26.3 factors per sport over her final three, going 19-of-30 in that stretch. Fudd is lastly taking part in wholesome after accidents stored her and Bueckers off the court docket collectively for many of their school careers.
Talking of Bueckers, the principle receiver of Auriemma’s criticism, had a double-double with 12 factors and 10 assists, regardless of having her second worst taking pictures sport of the season, going 3-of-12. Practically a triple-double with seven rebounds. Sturdy added a double-double of her personal with 16 factors and 13 rebounds.
Sturdy was a key motive the Huskies may shoot so effectively, grabbing consideration contained in the paint and in addition serving to run the offense from the perimeter. The Huskies shot 46.4 p.c from three-point vary, hitting 13 photographs from deep.
Defensively, UConn held the Gamecocks to 17.6 p.c taking pictures from deep and 37.7 p.c general and regardless of having solely two fewer turnovers than South Carolina, the Huskies scored 9 extra factors off turnovers, outpacing the Gamecocks for 40 minutes.
The Huskies didn’t finish the 71-game house successful streak for the Gamecocks as a lot as they obliterated it. By halftime, UConn grew a 22-point lead, an already season-high deficit for South Carolina and there was nonetheless 20 minutes left. Then the Huskies stretched it to 29 factors, outscoring the Gamecocks in every of the 4 quarters.
UConn’s marquee win of the season offers Auriemma’s facet an enormous increase of confidence with a month till choice Sunday. Ought to that confidence flip into momentum, the nine-year drought in Storrs could possibly be near ending.
