“He never lost his composure with the media”: When Geno Auriemma compared Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson in discussion with Diana Taurasi
UConn coach Geno Auriemma and WNBA legend Diana Taurasi once got together on Instagram to chat about all things basketball. Among the topics of conversation was the legend himself, Michael Jordan.
In 2020, Auriemma and Taurasi discussed Jordan's style and play and his relationship with the media, among other things. During the discussion, Auriemma commented on MJ's composure with the press and also compared him to another GOAT — Michael Jackson.
"You watch in all those interviews, he [Jordan] never lost his composure with the media," Auriemma said (Timestamp: 16:45). "He was never pissed, he was never, you know, rude like blowing them off like they do today. Today, it's almost like guys are like 'It's not my job to talk to you'."
"What he [Jordan] was going through back then is what social media became," Auriemma added (Timestamp: 15:34). "It's like Michael Jackson, you know, it just was bigger than anything anybody had ever seen, ever, in history... Imagine you, imagine if you were in that situation and every minute of every day you had to answer every question about everything and everybody, every minute of every day."
You can watch the full live stream of the conversation between Geno Auriemma and Diana Taurasi below.
Geno Auriemma comments on Aubrey Griffin's return
UConn’s 96-36 blowout win over Seton Hall on Sunday once again highlighted the program’s dominance. But for Aubrey Griffin, the game marked her long-awaited return to the court after a year away.
Coach Geno Auriemma emphasized the significance of Griffin’s journey while taking a measured tone about her progress.
"I’m sure she’s a little bit sore, a little bit tired," Auriemma said. "When you haven’t played in so long, that’s why I wanted to play her in short spurts."
Griffin’s return wasn’t just about contributing to the win — it was about overcoming the mental and physical challenges of her recovery. Auriemma noted that her time on the court was intentionally limited to ensure a gradual adjustment.
"I really wasn’t expecting anything at all," the coach added. "I was just happy to see her out there, and we’ll build on it little by little."
For Griffin, simply wearing the UConn jersey and hearing the cheers from the crowd was a victory in itself.
"I thought she had fun," Auriemma said. "Just putting that uniform on and going out there, and the reaction from the crowd. I’m thrilled for her."
Griffin and the Huskies will next take on Villanova on Wednesday.