Once again, the UConn Huskies can call themselves National Champions after their 82-59 win over South Carolina.. There were plenty of moments during this contest at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. That being said, here are three personal moments.
Fudd Made a Statement on the Big Stage
Throughout the regular season, guard Azzi Fudd averaged 13.6 points and two rebounds per game. However, the redshirt senior scored 24 points while grabbing five rebounds in the championship game. She was also the Most Outstanding Player of the game. She will be back in Storrs next season, forgoing the 2025 WNBA Draft. Expect her to be a vital part of the team’s offense come the 2025=2026 season.
Bueckers’ Emotional Final Exit as a UConn Husky
Without question, fans have seen their fair share of great players in a UConn jersey for almost three decades. Yet, this felt different as reality set in when star guard Paige Bueckers checked out of the game with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter. This marked the final time Husky fans would ever see the three-time Associated Press (AP) All-American in a UConn jersey again.
Additionally, her story is one of resilience and greatness. Bueckers tore her ACL in August 2022, missing the entire 2022-2023 season. She returned the following season as the Huskies came up short in the Final Four against the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes. Fast forward to over a year later, Bueckers can now call herself a National Champion. Next for the Wooden Award is the WNBA Draft, as she is projected top pick, which is held by the Dallas Wings.
Auriemma and His Emotional Post-Game Interview
All things considered, Auriemma is arguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time as adding another title, No. 12, to his resume.
The 71-year-old was quite emotional in his post-game interview with Holly Rowe when speaking about the win:
“You just never know if you’re going to be back in this situation again and there was so many times when I think we all questioned, have we been here too long? Has it been time? And yet we kept hanging in there and it’s because of these players, they make me want to hang in there every day.”
He also told Row that he said “I love you” to Bueckers in the embrace once she left the court, admitting it was a long time since he was that emotional when a player exited the court.
The eight-time Naismith Coach of the Year spoke to Michael Strahan on Good Morning America about retirement:
“Your age is changing, but I don’t think you’re getting old. You’re not losing your enthusiasm. You’re still feeling the impact that you’re having on people.”
What a season for Auriemma and the Huskies, and fans will wait and see if they can run it back.
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