"She doesn't know what she's doing sometimes": Geno Auriemma shuns Maya Moore comparison with 18yo UConn star
huskies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">UConn coach Geno Auriemma dismissed any similarities between Sarah Strong and Maya Moore after the freshman's performances this season.
Moore played for Auriemma at UConn from 2007 to 2011, winning two NCAA championships in 2009 and 2010. In 154 appearances, she averaged 19.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, two steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. She shot 52.5% from the field, including 40.4% from beyond the arc, showcasing her prowess as one of the best scorers in the sport. She went on to play in the WNBA for seven years until her retirement in 2018.
Meanwhile, Strong has begun her collegiate career on a solid note, averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks in four games.
After the game against Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 20, Auriemma pointed out the differences between Moore and Strong.
"Sarah has been really, really good since the day she got here, but she just doesn't know what she's doing sometimes," Auriemma said. "The biggest difference between Sarah [Strong] and Maya Moore, there's no way Maya Moore would pass the ball if she was open, [or if 1 or 2 players] were guarding her when she was in position to score. Sarah has nobody guarding her and wants to pass it."
Geno Auriemma honored by UConn for historic feat
The Huskies's 85-41 win over FDU marked a milestone in Geno Auriemma's career.
The victory made Auriemma the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history with 1,217 wins.
To honor him, UConn brought out an actual goat.
Since becoming UConn coach in 1985, Geno Auriemma has amassed 11 national championships (six perfect seasons), 23 Final Four appearances, 27 conference tournament titles and eight Naismith Coach of the Year awards.
No. 2 UConn will next play the Oregon State Beavers (1-3, West Coast) on Monday. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Baha Mar Convention Center in the Bahamas.