Paige Bueckers and Geno Auriemma are moved to tears in emotional and historic moment
The Connecticut Huskies have done it. UConn demolished South Carolina in the title game 82-59 to win its historic 12th national championship, all under head coach Geno Auriemma. Bueckers and Auriemma shared a moment during the winding seconds of the national championshipGetty The Huskies have taken home the title for the first time in nine years, as fifth-year superstar Paige Bueckers led the way. With one final opportunity left, she finally accomplished her goal. The All-American and Husky legend has brought the national title back to Storrs, Connecticut. It had been a long time coming, not only for UConn, but for Bueckers as well. Through season-ending injuries, unfortunate luck and everything else in between, she returned for a fifth year to do exactly what she had set out to accomplish all those years ago arriving in Storrs as a skinny wiry freshman. And now she had led her team to the mountaintop. Bueckers checked out of the game with 1:32 to go to a standing ovation and thunderous applause. But most importantly, and satisfying, was the emotional embrace that she shared with her head coach, as tears formed in their eyes. “He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him,” Bueckers joked after the game. “Nah, I love that man more than words can describe.” Bueckers led the Huskies to their 12th national title in program historyGetty Auriemma and Bueckers have developed an extremely close relationship over the last five years Auriemma shed more light on the moment between the two when ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked the head coach what was said in that moment. “I love you,” Auriemma answered, while battling back tears. “That’s all I can say. I love you… “I’ve never been happier than I’ve been the last couple of months coaching a team.” A strong statement from a man who has been at the helm of UConn since 1985. And now Auriemma and Bueckers will forever be connected in college basketball history. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment
The Connecticut Huskies have done it.
UConn demolished South Carolina in the title game 82-59 to win its historic 12th national championship, all under head coach Geno Auriemma.
The Huskies have taken home the title for the first time in nine years, as fifth-year superstar Paige Bueckers led the way.
With one final opportunity left, she finally accomplished her goal.
The All-American and Husky legend has brought the national title back to Storrs, Connecticut.
It had been a long time coming, not only for UConn, but for Bueckers as well.
Through season-ending injuries, unfortunate luck and everything else in between, she returned for a fifth year to do exactly what she had set out to accomplish all those years ago arriving in Storrs as a skinny wiry freshman.
And now she had led her team to the mountaintop.
Bueckers checked out of the game with 1:32 to go to a standing ovation and thunderous applause.
But most importantly, and satisfying, was the emotional embrace that she shared with her head coach, as tears formed in their eyes.
“He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him,” Bueckers joked after the game.
“Nah, I love that man more than words can describe.”
Auriemma shed more light on the moment between the two when ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked the head coach what was said in that moment.
“I love you,” Auriemma answered, while battling back tears.
“That’s all I can say. I love you…
“I’ve never been happier than I’ve been the last couple of months coaching a team.”
A strong statement from a man who has been at the helm of UConn since 1985.
And now Auriemma and Bueckers will forever be connected in college basketball history.
March Madness Top Stories
Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson
‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance
March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant
NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever
Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment
