If you’ve ever traveled to Storrs, Connecticut, you know it is a peaceful little place — until basketball season comes around. That’s when the place becomes the pulse of college hoops. And at the epicenter? Geno Auriemma. He’s been building a dynasty at Connecticut since 1985, transforming a previously overlooked women’s basketball program into a juggernaut. Geno Auriemma’s influence is undeniable — 11 NCAA Championships, 23 Final Fours, 6 perfect seasons! And now, one sports analyst’s recent statement along with a defiant move by the governor of Connecticut has sparked renewed debate over UConn’s supremacy.
Gary Striewski, an esteemed sports analyst, left nothing on the field when it came to discussing UConn and its impact. He was blunt while speaking to Elle Duncan: “The epicenter of the college basketball world, not just in women’s basketball but in men’s as well, is Storrs, Connecticut. I’m mentioning the men as an aside. When I think of women’s basketball, at least for me, I think of you—I think of Tennessee, and then recently, I think of South Carolina. Oh, and Ned Lamont put those signs at the border that say, ‘Welcome to Connecticut, the basketball capital of the world!’”
That’s a strong statement, but honestly — it’s not far from the truth. The numbers back it up. Now the NCAA record for most wins in college basketball history belongs to Auriemma, who surpassed legends from men’s and women’s games alike. He has over 1200 victories! And with an insane career-winning percentage of .882, he’s established a standard that few could even hope to achieve.
Nov 20, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma holds an award before a game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
But Geno Auriemma’s effect is about more than stats. This is about the culture he has created at UConn. He has coached and developed some of the biggest names in women’s basketball, sending dozens of players to the WNBA and the Olympics. The Huskies have inscribed themselves in the record books with three of the longest winning streaks in NCAA lore — 111, 90, and 70 games in a row. That sort of dominance doesn’t come by chance.
Governor Ned Lamont seems to agree. Those signs he hung up at Connecticut’s borders proclaiming it “the basketball capital of the world” weren’t put there for show. Okay, some will challenge the claim, but when you consider the numbers, it’s hard to argue. UConn has won 17 national championships — 11 by the women’s team, 6 by the men. And if they get to the finals? They have won 17 of 18 times. And that’s dominance, plain and simple.
Will Geno Auriemma lead UConn to another title?
Now, as March Madness approaches, it’s attention back to Geno Auriemma and his Huskies. They’ve been a force in the Big East, but this season presented them with challenges. Injuries have wrecked the roster — and kept high-profile players such as Azzi Fudd on the sidelines. It’s going to be a fight, particularly once top-shelf teams such as South Carolina loom.
Dec 6, 2023; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks to his team from the sideline as they take on the Ball State Cardinals at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
But if we’ve learned anything about Geno Auriemma, it’s that he knows how to deliver when it matters. He finds a way to get his players to be at their best, no matter the situation. So it’s why UConn is always in the mix when it comes to title contenders.
Ultimately, Striewski’s comments and Lamont’s audacious decision underscore just how much Geno Auriemma and UConn have influenced college basketball. As the Huskies prepare for another trip to the tournament, there’s a sky-high expectation. But history tells us something else, too: When it comes to UConn, greatness is in the DNA.
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