UConn doesn’t take success for granted
UNCASVILLE — Geno Auriemma became nostalgic after Monday’s 66-45 win over UCF, which formally sealed a 31st straight NCAA tournament berth for the behemoth that is UConn.
“I remember losing our first NCAA tournament game,” Auriemma, now in his 34th season, recalled in the bowels of Mohegan Sun Arena. “And I remember the following year losing our first (tournament) game and thinking, ‘Oh, so that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to be in the tournament, we’re going to lose, and then we’re going to go home. We’re going to be one of those teams.
“It was like a big deal to get to the regionals.”
In 1988-89, Auriemma’s fourth season, UConn lost its first NCAA tournament game to La Salle, 72-63. The next year, the Huskies fell to Clemson in the first round, 61-59.
Finally, in 1990-91, behind All-American Kerry Bascom, the Huskies made it to the East Regional in Auriemma’s backyard of Philadelphia. The season would end with a 61-55 loss to Virginia in the Final Four.
“During those days,” Auriemma said, “you’re not thinking, ‘You know what, 30 years from now you’ll be sleepwalking through the first two (tournament) games.’ At least that’s what people think because you’ll be expected to go to your 12th straight Final Four. That would’ve been like make believe stuff.”
Just like 24 conference tournament championships would’ve been make believe stuff. Or 120 consecutive conference wins.
“I still can’t believe the way it’s played out, but it has,” Auriemma continued. “What can I tell you?”
The Huskies beat East Carolina, South Florida and UCF on consecutive days to capture their sixth straight American Athletic Conference title. Next up, of course, will be the NCAA tournament, where the Huskies — 31-2 and ranked No. 2 in the country — will almost certainly be the No. 1 seed in the Albany (N.Y.) Regional.
A 12th straight Final Four is a bit more difficult to predict, though. Even Auriemma, who has won more national titles (11) than any other coach — men’s or women’s — knows not to take championships for granted.
“You think that just because you go to a certain school you’re entitled to a championship, and you don’t even know how to play in championship games,” he said. “The reason why we won so many championships — other
than our talent — and the reason why we won those championship games in the Final Four, is you have to have kids that deserve it.
“You say, ‘Well, every kid deserves it.’ No, they don’t. Not every kid deserves it. Not every kid is willing to work every day from October to March to prepare for that moment. They just want to be in that moment, and they hope they’re good enough in that moment.”
The Huskies, specifically Napheesa Collier, were plenty good enough to stay unbeaten in the AAC. Playing with a “sense of urgency,” the 6-foot-1 senior averaged 28.3 points and 13 rebounds during the tournament to win Most Outstanding Player.
“I think I kind of have that mentality every game, but especially since this is the postseason … you have to have everything a little more clean,” Collier said.
Of course, Collier hopes to have Katie Lou Samuelson (back spasms) by her side when the first round tips off March 22 or 23 in Storrs. The All-American guard hasn’t played since March 2, when she injured her back in a collision while diving for a loose ball.
“We have a few days off, so I’m sure we’ll figure it out,” Samuelson said Monday. “Right now, I have no plan. I’m just resting. We’re going to figure it out these next two days.”
Without Samuelson, one of the nation’s most accurate shooters, the Huskies have struggled from 3-point range (20-of-65, 30.7 percent). Her return would certainly erase those problems.
“She definitely brings an added weapon to our team,” guard Crystal Dangerfield said. “In March, you can’t ask for anything more than that. An extra lift is what you’re going to need to make a long run.” ⏩ More honors: Collier is one of five finalists for the Katrina McClain Award, which honors the nation’s best power forward. The others are Baylor’s Lauren Cox, Central Michigan’s Reyna Frost, Oregon’s Ruthy Hebard and Stanford’s Alanna Smith.
Meanwhile, Samuelson is a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, which is given annually to the top shooting guard. The other finalists include Maci Morris (Kentucky), Asia Durr (Louisville), Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame) and Kiana Williams (Stanford).