I believe that the OP was exactly correct in that Auriemma is friends with and has tremendous respect for the other coaches within the Big East. He talks up their programs, how talented they are, how the conference is stacked with good teams, etc. He has also spoken out about the transfer portal, particularly the star players of his competitor Big East teams, leaving those programs. Geno doesn't like the transfer portal, particularly the "unlimited free agency potential for every single player, every single year". He has mentioned that if a player commits to a program, that he would like to see that player honor that commitment for four-years, with the exception being a fifth year (typically a redshirt year of eligibility).
The Big East had two really quality players enter the portal this year, basically the MVP's of their teams, both were seniors with the COVID year availability; Liza Karlen from Marquette and Emma Ronsiek from Creighton. I believe that Auriemma would have picked up the phone and called Jim Flanery if UConn's desires were to connect with Ronsiek. We will never know, she signed with Colorado State about two weeks ago. I honestly think Auriemma would have done the same and called Megan Duffy directly related to Karlen; simply picked up the phone and had that conversation. Almost certainly he would have done so with Doug Bruno from DePaul if there were one of his players out there, as those two are best friends.
So related to Liza and the respect that Auriemma has towards his fellow Big East coaches, Megan Duffy in particular at Marquette as that is the team Karlen is departing. As others have previously noted within this thread, Duffy left the Marquette program about two weeks ago herself! I don't blame her for moving up, taking the job over at Virginia Tech was a huge opportunity. But what are we talking about here? The need for a rival program to pass on a player if they are within the same conference out of respect for that rival program, even after the coaching staff had ditched the program? FWIW, Liza was in the portal even prior to Duffy accepting the Va. Tech job.
Marquette went on to replace Duffy with Cara Consuegra as their new head coach. Okay, who is Cara Consuegra? Well, she was an Assistant Coach there within the Marquette program. BUT that was several years ago; you see, Consuegra had also left Marquette for greener pastures! She had no loyalty herself, and now she has left that other team to return back to Marquette! As with Duffy, I do not blame Consuegra for taking a better job. But from a 'can't sign any players who've entered the portal, due to an unwritten 'loyalty' contract to the conference'?
There is no Loyalty in this transfer portal thing. Let's face it, there is very little loyalty in collegiate athletics anymore. Other than the fan base of a school, who will stick with their team through thick and thin, decade after decade, nobody within a program really has any unwavering loyalty!
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