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UConn coach Geno Auriemma wants his team to trust themselves and play the Huskies style of basketball without injured superstar guard Paige Bueckers.
In a post-game press conference after the Huskies ran away with an 81-27 win over Xavier at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday, Auriemma took note of the team's resilience amid challenges.
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Auriemma emphasized that they faced a similar situation last season when only six healthy players suited up due to injuries. The Huskies, led by Paige Bueckers, soldiered through and made the Final Four, losing 71-69 to the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes.
"These guys have played without people their whole career here so they take it as in striding so there was no looking around, there was no impractice, hesitancy or apprehension," Geno Auriemma said. (10:22)
The 11-time national champion coach implied the need to trust one another, now that the team's best player is sidelined and would miss time due to injury.
"I want them to I want them to learn to trust themselves ... trust themselves ... trust each other," the coach said in a post-game conference. (11:00)
Four players scored in double-figures, led by Bueckers' backcourt tandem Azzi Fudd, who sizzled for 23 points. Sarah Strong, Allie Ziebell and Jana El-Alfy contributed at least 11 points for UConn, who limited Xavier to 27 points and 23.7% from the field.
Auriemma believes that his team took advantage of Paige Bueckers' absence and proved that they can win without their superstar player.
Geno Auriemma gives flowers to freshman Sarah Strong for superb effort amid Paige Bueckers' absence
UConn coach Geno Auriemma heaped praise on five-star freshman Sarah Strong for her consistent effort against Xavier.
The 6-foot-2 forward finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, one assist and five steals in 20 minutes for the Huskies to support Azzi Fudd's scoring blitz and Allie Ziebell's breakout performance.
The winningest college basketball coach of all-time added that he didn't ask Strong to fill the void left by Paige Bueckers' absence. Auriemma feels that the top-ranked freshman knows the situation and would play her game without being told.
"She makes plays that are not necessarily teachable plays, and she does things that only people who have tremendous basketball instincts can do. She has a tremendous feel for the moment," Geno Auriemma said (12:00).
The Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, native has averaged 17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 16 games this season. Strong is the team's second-best scorer, behind Paige Bueckers, and is the team's top rebounder, swiper and blocker.
What can you say about UConn's performance in its win over Xavier? Let us know your insights in the comments section:
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