CBB

NCAAB News: Dawn Staley gets brutally honest on rivalry with Geno Auriemma

While the SC Gamecocks are still the reigning champions, coach Dawn Staley still knows she has some catching up to do with UConn

Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the first half during the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament National Championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 07, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
© Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesHead coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the first half during the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament National Championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 07, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

No one can talk about college basketball without talking about Geno Auriemma. While women’s basketball wasn’t as popular in the past as it is nowadays, his legend has always stood tall.

He’s been in charge of UConn for decades now. Moreover, he coached some of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time, including Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.

That’s why, as much as Daw Staley has also helped South Carolina become a powerhouse, she admitted that there are levels to everything, and UConn has usually gotten the best of them.

Advertisement

Dawn Staley admits UConn’s supremacy

Let me, I wouldn’t even say we’re rivals because you gotta win,” Staley told Taylor Rooks. “The percentage of them beating us is very high to our low. I just think it’s become a great anticipation game for all of basketball, not just college, not just women’s basketball, but all of college basketball. Because when it’s put on television, the viewership is way, way up.”

Geno Auriemma

Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies ( Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Advertisement

The Gamecocks and Huskies have met 13 times with Staley and Auriemma at the helm. The Huskies won seven in a row, all by double digits, but the Gamecocks have now taken four in a row and five of the last six.

25 highest-paid college basketball head coaches: Who earns the most?

see also

Both programs will square off again in February, and while the Huskies continue to sit atop when it comes to history, South Carolina still boasts the team to beat as the defending champions.

Advertisement
ALSO READ
Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi to tie Cristiano Ronaldo in Champions League record
Soccer

Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi to tie Cristiano Ronaldo in Champions League record

Joe Burrow blasts the NFL on social media after controversial Josh Allen interception vs. Broncos
NFL

Joe Burrow blasts the NFL on social media after controversial Josh Allen interception vs. Broncos

Arch Manning could be joined by key Indiana national champion for final year in Texas
College Football

Arch Manning could be joined by key Indiana national champion for final year in Texas

NY Yankees, NY Mets reportedly eye another free agent as Cody Bellinger alternative
MLB

NY Yankees, NY Mets reportedly eye another free agent as Cody Bellinger alternative

Better Collective Logo