Geno Auriemma admits being “anxious” before UConn’s first game of the season: “Lot of questions marks that haven’t been answered”

Geno Auriemma is one of college basketball's most decorated coaches, having guided the UConn women's basketball team to 11 national championships. Auriemma will embark on his 40th season as the Huskies head coach in their season opener on Thursday against Boston University.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Auriemma shared his thoughts on the team leading up to their season opener.

"There's always an air of excitement before your first game, you just never know what you're going to get. It's especially true when you have a lot of question marks that haven't been answered yet," Geno said.

"So, I'm anxious to see like everybody else, probably, I'm anxious to see what it looks like. It's that time of the year — the season's getting started and the biggest danger you face is the only vision you have in your mind — how you were planning in March and you got to just kind of get that out of your head."

The goal is clear for UConn: to win the conference titles and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Geno Auriemma and his team have a long history of achieving those milestones.

Except for the first three seasons of his coaching career at Connecticut, he has guided the Huskies to March Madness every year. The last time UConn clinched the national title was in 2016, and since then, they have reached the Final Four five times.

Geno Auriemma 'not cooperating' with UConn for celebration of his 40th year as coach

The University of Connecticut is preparing a grand celebration for the 40th year of legendary coach Geno Auriemma's tenure in Storrs.

The excitement has already reached a fever pitch among the Huskies fans who could not wait to be at Gampel Pavilion on Nov. 20 to honor the architect of UConn's success who made it a powerhouse program in the nation. However, Auriemma said he was not cooperating with the school for the celebration.

"They’ve had a very difficult time with me trying to get some cooperation for this thing. And I'm not being very cooperative," Geno said

"So, if you were to ask me, 'Tell me what the agenda is? What's going to happen?' I would tell you, 'I have no idea.' I know they've got something planned, but I don't know what it is. They know what it is, but I do not."

Geno Auriemma arrived at UConn in 1985 when he was just 31 years old. He will turn 71 in March 2025.