Women's Basketball 2025-26

[MuggsyB]

After doing quite a bit of reading on the Geno situation, I'm legit concerned about his mental health.

He ranted and raved about the officials like a lunatic during the break between the 3rd and 4th quarters, and he was completely unhinged in his post-game diatribe against Staley. He was pissed that she didn't shake his hand before the game, but there is video evidence that she actually did. So ... he apparently forgot? He was screaming about an SC player ripping Sarah Strong's jersey, but Strong admitted she ripped it herself in frustration. He sounded demented.

Even if it was just a matter of him having gotten outcoached and his team having gotten its arse kicked, it doesn't make his behavior any less concerning.

It sounds like he was a sore loser and had a tantrum. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

What exactly was Auriemma pissed about?  From the little I saw it just looked like South Carolina beat them like a drum.   

Staley didn't do the
ceremonial half court pregame handshake and he thought the foul call differential was out of line with the physicality of the game.

[Marquette Fan]

Staley didn't do the
ceremonial half court pregame handshake and he thought the foul call differential was out of line with the physicality of the game.

Yes he pointed out there had been 6 fouls called on UCONN and zero on South Carolina in the previous quarter.  It doesn't help his cause that he complained about Strong's jersey getting ripped when she's the one who tore it herself out of frustration.

I'd also say there's already no love lost between Geno and Dawn Staley.

I thought UCLA had a good chance playing in the championship game as they are doing but I just thought they'd be facing UCONN.

[MuggsyB]

Staley didn't do the
ceremonial half court pregame handshake and he thought the foul call differential was out of line with the physicality of the game.

Was he right about the foul discrepancy or did he act like a toddler?  From what I saw South C erased his offense, they weren't hacking UCONN.   Lots of bricked shots and missed bunnies. 

[cheebs09]

Was he right about the foul discrepancy or did he act like a toddler?  From what I saw South C erased his offense, they weren't hacking UCONN.   Lots of bricked shots and missed bunnies. 

I think Sultan posted how UCONN doesn't really draw fouls and get to the line. Also, it was one quarter. Sometimes there's 10 min stretches of a team not being called for a foul.

They also did shake hands pregame, so not sure his issue there.

[Tarragona]

Yes he pointed out there had been 6 fouls called on UCONN and zero on South Carolina in the previous quarter.  It doesn't help his cause that he complained about Strong's jersey getting ripped when she's the one who tore it herself out of frustration.

I'd also say there's already no love lost between Geno and Dawn Staley.

I thought UCLA had a good chance playing in the championship game as they are doing but I just thought they'd be facing UCONN.

I posted above that UConn didn't draw fouls all season. It's not what they do, and it isn't what they needed to do much of the season to be successful.

Geno is good when he is the boss and when he is winning. Geno is bad when he's losing, especially to strong Women.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Semi-apology. Does not mention Staley by name, just to SC staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7172055/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-apologize-final-four-uconn-south-carolina/?source=user_shared_article

[WhiteTrash]

I posted above that UConn didn't draw fouls all season. It's not what they do, and it isn't what they needed to do much of the season to be successful.

Geno is good when he is the boss and when he is winning. Geno is bad when he's losing, especially to strong Women.

You can legitimately dislike Geno, but you're going to prove your claim he is sexist.

[MuggsyB]

Having now seen the video, here's my take.  And I write this as someone who isn't really a fan of Dawn Staley:

Geno Auriemma acted like a classless, entitled, and gargantuan douchebag.  Totally inexcusable garbage.  I've decided to nullify his lame day after apology.  He does not pass go, nor does he collect $200.   That "ripped my player's jersey comment?"  What a load of excrement. 

[Marquette Fan]

Iowa State has 10 players who have entered the transfer portal - 4 of them starters including former MU player Kenzie Hare.  Wow - that is a heck of a lot of transfers.

https://www.foxsports.com/articles/wcbk/iowa-state-star-audi-crooks-entering-the-transfer-portal-the-latest-to-leave-team-in-mass-exodus

[The Sultan]

Semi-apology. Does not mention Staley by name, just to SC staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7172055/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-apologize-final-four-uconn-south-carolina/?source=user_shared_article

"She (Staley) appeared to take exception to his comments..."

Ya think??!!!??

[MU82]

Semi-apology. Does not mention Staley by name, just to SC staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7172055/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-apologize-final-four-uconn-south-carolina/?source=user_shared_article

Lame.

I like Staley's concise response to the apology, kind of like telling a trash-talker on a losing team to look at the scoreboard:

"Concentrating on winning a national championship."

[MuggsyB]

Very impressive performance by UCLA thus far.  A well coached and well balanced team. 

[The Sultan]

Will the Big Ten sweep both the men's and women's championships?

[MuggsyB]

Jaquez is like a better version of her brother.  The girl is everywhere.   

[The Sultan]

It's kinda strange they keep showing him too.

[MU82]

I had been looking forward to a UCLA-UConn final. Unfortunately, UConn didn't show up for its semifinal.

[Tarragona]

Very impressive performance by UCLA thus far.  A well coached and well balanced team. 

UCLA was great. Happy for Cori Close, a great representative of the game. A fun, good team.

[MU82]

Jaquez is like a better version of her brother.  The girl is everywhere.   

Yeah, Jaime is really bad. He only had 32 points for the Heat yesterday, and is averaging just 15 this season. If only he could be anywhere near as good as "the girl."

[Marquette Fan]

So I'm sure there won't be a trophy for the MOP at the men's championship tomorrow night, right 🙄? 

https://www.aol.com/articles/ncaa-blasted-over-embarrassing-lauren-222719068.html

[Tarragona]

All of these schools have 7 or more players in the transfer portal:

Miami
Pittsburgh
Syracuse
Butler
DePaul
Xavier
Arizona
Iowa State
Oklahoma State
UCF
Penn State
Purdue
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee

[BM1090]

Geno's second apology was a lot better than the first.

[Tarragona]

Texas had 10 players who averaged double digit minutes this past season, for their Final Four team.

4 are out of eligibility.
4 more are in the portal.

2 remain for now.