Geno Auriemma compares UConn legend Breanna Stewart and Sarah Strong after rookie's impressive game

Just seven games into her UConn Huskies career, freshman Sarah Strong is already turning heads. In UConn's 88-52 win over the Holy Cross Crusaders on Tuesday at home, Strong scored a game-high 22 points and added seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes of action.

Given her sturdy campaign, Strong has earned praise from her coach, Geno Auriemma. When asked about how rare it is to see a steady rookie like Strong during the post-game presser, Auriemma responded:

"Very, very. There's usually a learning curve and I'm sure that there will be some things that will pop up in the next month." (26:30)

Auriemma even compared Sarah Strong to three-time WNBA Champion Breanna Stewart, as the rookie's play reminded him of his star alumna.

"I remember Stewie [Stewart] had a November and kind of mid-December blowout where she was just the best player in the country, until she wasn't because things happen when you're a freshman," Auriemma said. "So, Sarah has a really good outlook on the game.

"She seems to know what we need at what moment. I mean you can see it. When she gets comfortable, she thinks that any shot she takes is going in." (26:46)

Auriemma then uttered the words, "very rare" thrice, and summed it up with:

"I'm a big Sarah Strong fan." (27:31)

The praise from the legendary coach is especially notable given the caliber of players he's coached at UConn, including Stewart, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore. Not to mention, Strong is currently sharing the court with senior sensation Paige Bueckers—who could be on that trajectory as well when she graduates.

To top it all off, Sarah Strong's freshman campaign features a stat line of 14.5 points, 7.7 boards, four assists, 2.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. As one of the driving forces of the Huskies, she has played a huge role in the team's 7-0 start to the season.

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Sarah Strong's coach Geno Auriemma on managing playing time

With the influx of talent that Auriemma has had throughout his career, he has often struggled trying to juggle playing time for all of his players. Now that he has a stacked 2024-2025 roster, Auriemma said on Tuesday:

"Everybody wants more minutes. There's only 200 of them to go around. So, you try to walk that fine line. ... Your regulars have to get some certain amount of minutes but you also want to find out that second unit." [h/t CT Insider]

As UConn aspires to reclaim the NCAA National Championship they last won in 2016 with Stewart, their next matchup against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday is crucial.