These UConn losses feel different

Geno Auriemma has said it before.

Maybe, just maybe, UConn fans take it all for granted. The 11 NCAA titles, the 12 consecutive trips to the Final Four, the record-setting winning streaks and the status as a program that sits on the same perch as John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins.

There was the run of four consecutive national titles by a class led by the indomitable Breanna Stewart, who lost all of five games over her career as a Husky. And while the post-Stewie years have not produced another title, UConn is continually a contender.

But something may be different this year. After another resounding loss to a top-ranked team Monday night, Auriemma emphasized the point he’s been hammering home for a long time — UConn is allowed to lose, the program is allowed to be like everyone else, and fans should accept that not every season will be flawless.

The problem is, the margin of the losses this season have been eye-opening: 16 points to Baylor, 18 to Oregon, 18 to South Carolina Monday.

When Stewart was a freshman in 2012-13, UConn lost four (!) games. After winning their first 12, they fell 73-72 to Notre Dame. Twelve more wins and they lost 76-70 to Baylor.

The regular season ended with a 96-87 triple-overtime loss to Notre Dame. There would be yet another loss to the Irish, this time in the Big East Tournament and it was again close (61-59).

So there were five losses by an average of 3.4 points, including one in triple overtime.

That year, of course, UConn ran through the NCAA Tournament, winning the title with Final Four victories over Notre Dame and Louisville.

That was the start of a historic run for Stewie & Co.

From 2013-14 through 2017-18, UConn was 188-3. Two of those losses came in overtime.

This year? Against the teams sitting atop the national rankings, it’s been different.

It’s not been as easy as 1 (South Carolina), 2 (Baylor), 3 (Oregon).

Let’s recap the losses:

JANUARY 9 BAYLOR 74, UCONN 58

Pregame narrative: The Huskies were ranked No. 1, Baylor No. 6 when the teams before 12,415 on a Thursday night at the XL Center. UConn carried an NCAA-record 98-game home winning streak into the matchup, but the defending nationalchampion Bears would pose a big challenge.

Big, as in 6-foot-4 Lauren Cox. After missing more than a month with a foot injury, Cox returned Dec. 30 and the meeting with UConn was her third game back. The Bears only loss — 74-59 to South Carolina on Nov. 30 — came without Cox.

How it played out: And Cox was indeed a factor with 16 points, six rebounds, four blocks, four assists. But UConn couldn’t control 6-2 NaLyssa Smith (20 points,12 rebounds) or guard Te’a Cooper (27 points).

UConn’s answer in the paint? Olivia Nelson-Ododa, a 6-5 sophomore, missed all of her eight shots in 23 minutes. Kyla Irwin, a 6-2 senior, was scoreless with two rebounds in 32 minutes.

Geno’s take: “We have a really young team. Young in terms of being able to play in this kind of game. We don’t know how to play in this kind of game when you’re counting on them to make shots that other people used to make for them.”

FEBRUARY 3 OREGON 74, UCONN 56

Pregame narrative: This game was viewed as a hazard for the Huskies long before the season began. Oregon was the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, an experienced roster led by the best player in the country, Sabrina Ionescu. The Ducks lost to No. 8 Louisville in the eighth game of the season and were upset by Arizona State, but Oregon came to Connecticut fresh off wins over Top 20 teams (No. 18 Arizona, No. 3 Stanford, No. 7 Oregon State).

With an offense fueled by Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Ruthy Hebard, the Ducks entered the game averaging 86.6 points and shooting 50.5 percent.

How it played out: UConn missed six of its first seven shots as Oregon ran to a 10-2 lead to start the game. The Ducks ended the first quarter with a 5-0 run to take a 10point lead and it swelled to 13 by halftime.

UConn could not cut the lead to less than 12 in the second half. The 10,167 at Gampel Pavilion were muted by the Ducks, who simply ran UConn off the court.

Geno’s take: “We’re trying to win without scoring. I’ve never coached a team that could do that. … We need to be tougher, that’s the bottom line. We’re not big, so we have to be physically tough. And we’re not.”

FEBRUARY 11 SOUTH CAROLINA 70, UCONN 52

Pregame narrative: The No. 1 Gamecocks were viewed as physical, athletic, tough, and, of course, wellcoached with Dawn Staley on the bench. But they’re also young, with a roster punctuated by the best freshman class in the country.

UConn is also relatively inexperienced, relying heavily on sophomores Williams and Nelson-Ododa along with freshmen Anna Makurat and Aubrey Griffin.

How it played out: Let’s start with the first quarter. UConn missed 15 of its first 16 shots with five turnovers and trailed 11-2 when the quarter ended.

Think about it: Walker’s layup 3:51 into the game produced UConn’s only points in the first 10 minutes.

Geno’s take: “We’re allowed to lose a Goddamn game once in a while where the other team plays better than us. So how about you write that somewhere? South Carolina played way better than Connecticut. That’s allowed to happen once in a while.”