Why Auriemma isn’t surprised by UConn WBBs late-season struggles

[BRS24]

https://www.courant.com/2026/02/19/why-geno-auriemma-isnt-surprised-by-uconn-womens-basketballs-late-season-struggles/

Even with a microphone inches from her face, Sarah Strong‘s voice was barely audible as she addressed the media after the UConn women’s basketball team’s win over Villanova.​

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“(We need to) start the game off playing a full 40 minutes,” she practically whispered. “Not wait until halftime for Coach to yell at us to start playing.”​

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As soon as she stepped off the podium, the Huskies’ director of communications handed her a cough drop.​

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From the outside, UConn’s play has been bafflingly sluggish at times considering how unstoppable the team looked through the majority of the regular season. But nothing about the slump is shocking to coach Geno Auriemma.​

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“You just have to go through it,” Auriemma said. “All of November, all of December, all of January, has been this kind of (upward) trajectory. That doesn’t normally happen. When you go through a season, there’s down, up, down. There’s time where you’re just rolling and there’s times when it’s a struggle, and we hadn’t had any of those this year. Not that you knew it was coming, but you’re not surprised.”​

 

[Dogdude]

Glad you posted this. The slump was inevitable, impossible to avoid completely. They'll be fine.

 

[BRS24]

I'm hoping that 2026(Marquette + Villanova) = 2025(TN)

 

[EricSD]

I'm hoping that 2026(Marquette + Villanova) = 2025(TN)

I also hope the players get healthy. Sounds like Sarah still has the flu, or whatever has been "bugging" her. I wonder if any other players are affected. It was great having Blanca back, even if she looked rusty in her early minutes.

 

[Charliebball]

I also hope the players get healthy. Sounds like Sarah still has the flu, or whatever has been "bugging" her. I wonder if any other players are affected. It was great having Blanca back, even if she looked rusty in her early minutes.

Exactly why I suggested sitting Sarah for the remainder of the regular season two games ago to much consternation from the majority of the comments I received............having a "sickness" that impacts your ability to play for weeks is not a good thing, especially when heading into tournament time..........sorry but I'm sticking to that suggestion.....

 

[Cuango]

Exactly why I suggested sitting Sarah for the remainder of the regular season two games ago to much consternation from the majority of the comments I received............having a "sickness" that impacts your ability to play for weeks is not a good thing, especially when heading into tournament time..........sorry but I'm sticking to that suggestion.....

Well, it does seem like they could sit her for Providence & Georgetown at least then reevaluate. Let’s hope no one else comes down with anything!

 

[Charliebball]

Well, it does seem like they could sit her for Providence & Georgetown at least then reevaluate. Let’s hope no one else comes down with anything!

My understanding is that it has been moving among the players over the past few weeks........there are only three games left and I've got great seats behind the UConn bench for the St Johns game at MSG, but I'd give up the pleasure of watching Sarah if it would help her regain full strength for the games that actually mean something......

 

[FreeDogs]

Glad you posted this. The slump was inevitable, impossible to avoid completely. They'll be fine.

Better now than in a few weeks. Still zero losses so this team is responding even in the midst of their slump.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Reminds me of when I do weight training in the gym (if I loved it, which I don't. lol). Somedays I show up and I'm "uninspired." But, the key is I show up and do what needs to be done. Even if it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything.

That being said, I am not naive enough to think this team is a slam dunk. THat's disrespectful of the other teams and the vagaries of fate and illness and random injury.

Clearly, we're DOOOOMED.