“Checked the roster, (Hakeem) Olajuwon doesn’t play for us”: Geno Auriemma spots Paige Bueckers and UConn’s major flaw mid game
Despite finishing the first half with a 43-25 lead against the South Florida Bulls on Sunday, Geno Auriemma was seen yelling at Paige Bueckers and roster near the buzzer. The Huskies not only gripped the momentum of the game but never trailed in the contest. Nevertheless, Auriemma didn't like the spacing and passiveness of his players on the floor.
During a halftime interview, Auriemma pointed at the major flaw in his roster's approach, albeit with one of his famous witty comments.
"Yeah, I thought we got a little bit standing around staring at the guys in the post," Geno Auriemma said (0:13). "You know, I checked the roster and (Hakeem) Olajuwon doesn't play for us, so I don't know why we were standing there staring. We move the ball, we move the ball, we move people, then Jana (El-Alfy), Ice (Brady), whoever we get them on the move."
"So I think sometimes we get caught staring in there trying to force it. So once that ball started to move then you can see a lot of good things happen."
With 5:20 left in the half, UConn's offense slowed down, resulting in Geno Geno Auriemma's reaction. However, the roster quickly picked up the pace and began sharing the ball.
As a result, the Huskies assisted on the last six of their seven makes to end the first half. Moreover, four players made baskets, while Kaitlyn Chen, Sarah Strong and Allie Ziebell dished out dimes.
Geno Auriemma liked Paige Bueckers' approach against the Bulls
Auriemma's desire for Paige Bueckers this summer was to make her more aggressive towards scoring the ball.
It was on full display on Sunday when Bueckers finished with 22 points on 90% shooting (9-10). three rebounds, two steals and one assist. Moreover, she scored 19 of those points in the first half.
"Well, that's kind of what we've been seeing in practice every day. She wants the ball, she wants to score in a lot of different ways, she can score in a lot of different ways, so we're trying to put her in a lot of different spots on the court. But you know I like the way, I like the way we finished the half and I hope we can continue that in the second half." (0:48)
Paige Bueckers' early burst also allowed Ashlynn Shade and Sarah Strong to finish in double digits, with 15 and 13 points respectively. She also scored on three of Kaitlyn Chen's game-high seven assists.