UConn forward Sarah Strong has helped to lead the No. 1 Huskies to an unbeaten start to the season so far (15-0). Strong was in imperious form during UConn’s dominant 84-48 win over the Seton Hall Pirates on Saturday.
She tallied 18.0 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals in 25 minutes of action as the Huskies cruised to a routine win against the Pirates.
Geno Auriemma Points Out Sarah Strong’s Assertiveness Issue
During a news conference after the win against the Pirates, Geno Auriemma lavished praise on Strong’s growing confidence in the paint but pointed out the forward’s assertiveness issue whenever she misses shots.
“The last three games, she’s had a lot of opportunities, and she’s taken advantage of them,” Auriemma said. “She’s really aggressively hunting down those shots. There were times in games where she’d be constantly looking to get a better shot. I’m thinking, ‘That’s a pretty good shot right now.’ I just think she’s taken more advantage of it.
“You can see it in practice, too. When they start going in for her, they all go in, and she can’t wait to shoot the next one. She’s just got to get rid of that, ‘If I miss, I’m hurting my team.’ Which is, no, if you pass it, you’re hurting our team in the last three games.”
After an impressive breakout season during which she helped to lead UConn to a national championship for the first time in nine years, Strong is averaging 18.0 points on 58.4% shooting from the floor, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for the unbeaten Huskies this season.
Auriemma Points Out Strong’s Growth
After a dominant freshman season, Strong was tabbed in many quarters to become one of the best players in women’s college basketball this season and is one of the favorites to win the prestigious Wooden Award.
During a news conference after the Huskies beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, Auriemma pointed out how much Strong’s game had evolved as the season had progressed.
“She’s always prepared. Nothing takes her by surprise. She is growing in so many ways, and she helps her teammates grow, as well,” Auriemma said. “And a thing that people don’t know, because they probably don’t see it, she’s a quiet kid in a lot of ways on the court.
“But she asks a lot of questions. And a lot of kids are either not confident enough, not mature enough. But Sarah asks a lot of questions, because she wants to know everything about what we’re gonna do that night.
After the departure of Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, Strong has formed a devastating partnership with the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, Azzi Fudd, to ignite the Huskies’ attempt to repeat as national champions.