Geno excited about UConn’s national appearance on FOX
STORRS — Geno Auriemma and Co. are continuing to see the benefits of being back in the Big East.
FOX plans to televise its first women’s game when UConn visits DePaul on Jan.
31.
Both coaches, Auriemma and DePaul’s Doug Bruno, were asked the significance of that assignment last week.
“Us playing DePaul in Chicago at their beautiful arena, Wintrust Arena … I think that says a lot about what Doug has done and how consistent they’ve been and how good they’ve been all these years. It’s a beautiful place to do a game,” Auriemma said following a
75-52 victory over the No. 18 Blue Demons last Tuesday at Gampel Pavilion. “I’m sure they’ll do more down the road.”
The Big East extended its partnership with FOX through the 2024-25 academic year, giving its schools more exposure in an everchanging market.
“I just think they’re going to be a great partner for us like SNY is, like ESPN has been all these years,” Auriemma said. “I just think we’re very, very fortunate to have the TV partners that we do.”
Additionally, one of UConn’s marquee nonconference games, South Carolina on Feb. 8, will air on FOX’s cable partner, FS1.
SNY, the Huskies’ TV home, is scheduled to broadcast an additional 13 regularseason games, including pre and postgame shows.
“I don’t think FOX is picking that game because it’s DePaul,” Bruno said, half-jokingly. “I think they’re picking it because it’s UConn. I feel very honored to be a part of that, but at the same time, I think this about an entire league. …
“This is about (Dave) Gavitt, this is about Mike Tranghese, it’s about (Big East commissioner Val Ackerman), it’s about all the schools and teams, and obviously it’s about what Geno has done to make women’s basketball a national brand and a special brand here in the Big East.”
BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN
It took 28 games for Uni
versity of Hartford coach Morgan Valley to pick up her first win. She needed only three more to collect her second.
The Hawks rebounded from 0-2 start — losses to America East favorite Maine — to beat New Hampshire
53-50 Monday for their first victory of 2021. At 3-3, they’ve already tripled their win total from last season when they were 1-27.
Valley, the former UConn guard, has made the most of a tough situation this offseason. The Hawks were shut down twice due to
COVID-19, then had two players, including a potential starter, opt out over health concerns.
“We have a lot of really, really good pieces. We’re going to surprise some people,” said Valley, whose team was picked eighth in the America East preseason poll. “We’re in a really good space. We have a bunch of kids who want to be here, who are tough.”
MOVING ON UP
UConn rose slightly in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll, pulling into a tie for third with NC State. Both teams received 680 votes from a national media panel, while the Wolfpack had a 2-1 edge in first-place votes. The Huskies were ranked fourth last week.
Also, the Huskies came in at No. 2 in the first NET rankings, behind Stanford.
MORE DISRUPTION IN THE BIG EAST
Marquette has halted team activities again due to a positive COVID-19 test. The Golden Eagles previously went on pause in October for
14 days, along with the men’s team.
As a result of this latest disruption, Marquette had to postpone games against DePaul ( Jan. 3), Creighton ( Jan. 6) and Villanova ( Jan.
9).