While new contenders like USC and LSU have emerged in recent years, South Carolina and UConn are the core faces of women’s college basketball in the 21st century. The two programs wouldn’t quite have the same sheen without their two highly decorated coaches: Dawn Staley (South Carolina) and Geno Auriemma (UConn).
The two teams, both ranked in the Associated Press’s most recent top 10 , are set to face off in February this year in a game that should be one of the matchups of the season. Back in March of 2023, Staley already clarified how she feels about her supposed “rivalry” with Auriemma .
” I wouldn’t even say we’re rivals because you gotta win,” Staley admitted to Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. “The percentage of them beating us is very high to our low.”
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“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,” she continued…