"Hard for somebody like that to just blend in": Geno Auriemma pushes Sarah Strong to stop being humble and act like the superstar she is
Sarah Strong has been nothing short of the best 2024 recruit in the nation across her first eight games and has earned high praise from coach Geno Auriemma. The 11-time NCAA champion coach discussed his plans for Strong with NBC Connecticut, citing that he wants the freshman to start taking charge and believe she is one of the best players in the country.
Auriemma highlighted the quality of Sarah Strong's performances in recent stretch of games and believes that there will be a change in the freshman's on-court demeanor by the time the current season ends.
"The next step and I think this will show itself before the end of the season, I'm convinced," Auriemma said. "Act like you are a first-team all-American as opposed to 'I'm new here, I'm a freshman and we have a lot of good players and this is UConn so let me just blend in.' It is hard for somebody like that to just blend in."
"So, accepting that you are really, really, really good and without putting a lot of pressure on it. There are not many freshmen in America that are doing what you are doing at the level we are trying to play at, so act like it."
Sarah Strong earns Big East Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week
Behind the splendid start to her college basketball career and leadership role in UConn Huskies’ recent two games, Sarah Strong earned the Big East Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors.
As Paige Bueckers struggled from the field against Louisville and Holy Cross Crusaders this week, Strong took over the team's offensive load and posted two of her best games yet.
Sarah Strong averaged 21.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals across the two games, making 17 of 22 shots from the field (77%) and 7 of 10 from the 3-point line (70%). On the other hand, Paige Bueckers combined for 9.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 6 of 20 from the field (30%) and 3 of 10 from the 3-point line (30%) in the same stretch.