The UConn women’s basketball team is gearing up to face off against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament title game. Coach Geno Auriemma is well aware of the challenge that comes with facing Clark, who is the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. Despite not recruiting Clark in high school, Auriemma is showering her with praise in the hopes of preventing her from knocking the Huskies out of the tournament. In the days leading up to the highly anticipated game, Auriemma jokingly declared that Clark is the best player of all time, reversing his previous statement that UConn’s Paige Bueckers holds that title.
Auriemma also praised Bueckers and USC’s JuJu Watkins, highlighting Bueckers’ impressive performance in UConn’s Elite Eight game where she scored 28 points. The UConn women’s basketball program has a long history of success, having advanced to 23 Final Fours. Auriemma emphasized Bueckers’ drive to be superhuman on the court, while also acknowledging the tough competition Watkins provided in their matchup. Iowa enters the game as a two and a half point favorite over UConn, setting the stage for what is expected to be a thrilling matchup between two powerhouse teams.
Following Iowa’s Elite Eight victory over the LSU Tigers, where Clark put up 41 points and 12 assists, Auriemma expressed his admiration for her performance. The coach hopes that his praise will prevent Clark from having any additional motivation to dominate their upcoming game. Despite the rivalry and competition between UConn and Iowa, Auriemma’s remarks have pointed towards a mutual respect for Clark’s exceptional talent and skills on the court. As UConn prepares to face off against Iowa, Auriemma’s strategic approach to handling Clark’s prowess showcases his dedication to guiding his team to success in the tournament.
As the UConn women’s basketball team gets ready to take on Iowa in the Final Four, Auriemma is preparing his players for the challenge ahead. He understands the significance of facing a team led by Clark, who has proven to be a formidable opponent throughout the tournament. By highlighting Bueckers’ abilities and the tough competition Watkins presented in their previous game, Auriemma is instilling confidence in his team as they prepare to battle it out on the court. With a history of success and a reputation for excellence, UConn is poised to bring their A-game as they aim to secure a spot in the tournament title game against Iowa.
