When You Think You Can’t, UCONN!

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is home to the NCAA women’s basketball team with the most national championship wins: the Huskies. It’s no surprise that the Huskies have 12 national championships; they are simply built for victory. Since 1989, they have reigned in Women’s NCAA Division 1 basketball and have participated in every NCAA tournament (known as March Madness). This year was no different from the rest—the Huskies were bound for greatness in the 2024-2025 season.   

It’s also no surprise that the Huskies have taken over the scene since the ‘80s. Part of the team’s lethal makeup is their Hall of Fame head coach, Geno Auriemma; he has been the Huskies’s head coach for 40 years, beginning in the 1985-86 season. It was under his coaching that UConn won its 12 championships—a head coach NCAA record—in both the men’s and women’s divisions. However, with his curated, winning team comes a coaching style that is not for the faint of heart; Auriemma pushes his players beyond their limits, crafting them into superstars. He holds his athletes accountable for their performance while still providing essential support for them. 

A prime example of his effective coaching is legendary shooting guard Diana Taurasi, who led the Huskies to three national championships in her days playing under Auriemma, making him a heavily decorated coach. Taurasi was quick to become Auriemma’s star player—her unrelenting competitiveness and ability to dominate the game were much like Auriemma’s own. The foundation that Auriemma provided for Taurasi enabled her to build on her successes at UConn by also dominating the WNBA. “Coach means the world to me. I got to Connecticut as an 18-year-old that didn’t really know much but thought she knew a lot, and he quickly told me I didn’t. And he let me know that every day, because he knew if I could just scratch the surface of where he thought I could go, something special could happen,” Taurasi said. Auriemma’s early mentorship proved to be pivotal in Taurasi’s career, pushing her to be the best player she could. 

 However, a powerful team comes from much more than just a proper coach. Strong, off-the-court relationships are key to the Huskies’s immense chemistry during gameplay and contribute to their unrelenting successes. For example, shooting guard Paige Bueckers has provided pivotal encouragement and support to her team, creating an environment that fosters motivation. In a post-game interview, Bueckers told SNY’s Chelsea Sherrod, “I’m very picky with what I’m doing right now because I’m showing the younger guys what we’re supposed to do here. So I’m just trying to lead and be an example in that way.” Bueckers showcases that she’s focused on more than just herself; she works to improve her team and their interactions as a whole. The team’s unique talent this year also facilitated an electric atmosphere. Their roster was filled with some of the best female basketball players in the nation, including center Sarah Strong (the number one freshman in the nation), shooting guard Azzi Fudd, and point guard Kamorea “KK” Arnold. Fudd was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player this season and is a prominent shooter, leading her team in three-point field goal percentage. Arnold—who stands at just 5’9—was able to dominate both offensively and defensively, stealing the ball and providing much-needed energy. This well-rounded team, unlike many other teams, was able to play effectively on both the offensive and defensive fronts. As a result of such complementary skill sets, the Huskies dominated the 2025 season. 

This year, Strong especially stood out. In a post-championship interview, Auriemma said, “For her to come into this environment for the first time ever as a college player; to play with such confidence and composure; and be able to do exactly what the team needs—she impacts every aspect of the game. There aren’t very many like her in the country, for sure.” Strong is the second Husky after legendary forward Maya Moore to score 600+ points as a rookie. She has been pivotal in every game this season, averaging 16.4 points per game and being named the 2025 Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Freshman of the Year. 

The Huskies are full of powerful young women and have inspired countless children, including the late Gianna Bryant (Kobe Bryant’s daughter). Bryant was no stranger to excellence; she was a phenomenal basketball player with a playing style almost identical to her father. The two were avid fans of the team, and Gianna Bryant was very passionate about attending UConn in the future. She admired the sheer grit and hard work the team put into their game. Her love for the team was evident when she wrote to the team the famous quote: “When you think you can’t, UCONN!”

UConn’s legacy lies not just in its heavily decorated trophies but in its lasting mindset for greatness. They are the epitome of success and forge players that are destined for greatness. As UConn looks to the future, its strong foundation with Auriemma and legacy of mentorship will guarantee Huskies’s victories.