Juggling act

How latest rash of injuries has changed Auriemma’s coaching

This is not the season Geno Auriemma envisioned for UConn women’s basketball back in June when 2023-24 players first reported for summer conditioning.

Six months ago, the Huskies had 14 healthy players and were positioned for a dominant season with high hopes of bringing the program’s 12th banner to Storrs.

But two, and perhaps three, season-ending injuries later, plus another player out indefinitely, Auriemma has completely shifted gears — not even 10 games into a season that already includes three losses.

Lineups have been changed. Team chemistry has been rebuilt and even Auriemma, who’s in his 39th season leading UConn, has had to

change his coaching style to better fit his team.

“Somebody told me one time that coaching and teaching actually is being able to explain things to people who have a hard time understanding,” Auriemma said. “And I always thought I was really really good at that. And I’m not so good at it anymore.”

No. 17 UConn is coming off a win over then-No. 24 North Carolina Sunday and will face another ranked team Saturday when No. 18 Louisville (9-1) visits Hartford. It will be another test for a team that’s still searching for its new identity amid injuries and inconsistency. Adapting has become commonplace for the Huskies over the last three seasons. Yet it hasn’t gotten any easier. Instead of spending the early portion of the season perfecting set plays and slowly building up newcomers, Auriemma has started over. Creating lineups and new plays — things he usually does in the preseason — is now

Aaron E. Martinez/Associated Press UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has been forced to change his approach multiple times this season due to a rash of injuries.