"Caitlin Clark talks a lot of s**t on the court": Geno Auriemma gives honest take on WNBA’s infamous question
Geno Auriemma answered the questions about increased physicality around Caitlin Clark during her initial WNBA days. As the Indiana Fever guard logged in her first handful of games, she nearly got outmuscled by almost every team. The unwelcoming tactics forced fans to question the league's veterans.
Months later, after Clark's rookie season, Geno Auriemma playfully cites the reason behind the former Iowa guard's troubles. Talking on "Make A Difference" with Phil Martelli, the UConn coach highlighted Clark's ability to trash talk on the court, suggesting it as the reason WNBA players mounted tough and scrappy plays against her.
"I think one of the things that makes Caitlin Clark who she is the way she is with people. She connects with people and people connect with her," Auriemma said (33:20). "Now she talks a lot of s**t on the court all right. Believe me you know when people talk about in WNBA 'why are these people beating up Cait' because she talks a lot of s**t on the court all right."
"That's what makes her good, so she's not like this Angel walking out there and everybody else is beating her up, no. She's got a lot to say, she's a lot like Paige (Bueckers), those guys have a lot to say. They just do it subtly and they're tough."
Geno Auriemma believes women's college basketball is outpacing men's D1 basketball
Even though Geno Auriemma claimed that women's basketball needs plenty of good runs, better games and rule modifications to tap into its full potential, he claimed that it has already taken over men's league in the college landscape.
"You know it's funny that you asked that Phil because one thing that I think is happening - the women's game is outpacing the men's game in college. And I'm not saying that the game is better or it's played at a higher level, I just think it's more popular." (34:20)
Geno Auriemma did not compare the level of athleticism or skillsets but simply pointed out the difference in popularity. The UConn coach added it is a result of women stars staying in college for relatively more years than their counterparts.
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