"Could've used Saquon Barkley": Geno Auriemma criticizes UConn despite Holy Cross blowout win
UConn coach Geno Auriemma had some bitter words for his team following their 88-52 win over the Holy Cross Crusaders on Tuesday night. Despite the dominant victory, Auriemma was not thrilled with his team’s performance, lamenting their lack of energy and intensity.
During the postgame press conference, he had a unique way of criticizing his team.
"I could have used Saquon Barkley tonight. We just give him the ball, that would have been much better than the guys who had the ball for our team," Geno said.
Saquon Barkley is a running back for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL and is considered among the top contenders for the MVP award this season.
The Hall of Fame coach further praised opponent Holy Cross, acknowledging that handed a tough test for his team.
"Holy Cross played in the first half like they were No. 5 in the country, and we played like we were unranked," he said (via SNY). "We're a very immature team, so we can't ... it's hard for us to sustain something for four quarters. So we're going to have to be a lot better at that."
At Gampel Pavilion, Geno Auriemma's team struggled to maintain a lead in the first quarter, with the Huskies losing 10-6 at one point. UConn eventually found its rhythm in the third quarter and managed to pull away with a victory.
Geno Auriemma explains one of many reasons behind UConn’s subpar start against Holy Cross
The UConn Huskies traveled about 1,200 miles from the Bahamas to play in Storrs, Connecticut, after winning the Baha Mar Women's Championship.
According to Geno Auriemma, the extensive travel could be one of the reasons behind his team's sluggish start against Holy Cross on Tuesday.
"When you come back from a trip, it's not the same," he said. "I remember a bunch of years ago when we went to Hawaii for Thanksgiving. We came back from Hawaii and played at Holy Cross. It's always bad jet lag and everything when you come back."
"We had won the tournament out there, and we came back and played at Holy Cross. I think I threw three kids off the team. I mean it's really hard to get back into the rhythm of things."
Geno Auriemma and No. 2 UConn defeated Oregon State and No. 18 Ole Miss in the Baha Mar Women’s Championship over the Thanksgiving break. The Huskies, now 7-0 on the season, will face No. 22 Louisville on Saturday in the Women’s Champions Classic.