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Geno Auriemma Explains Controversial Elite Eight Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 5:01 PM ET

In what is an annual occurrence, Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies are headed back to the Final Four.

Led by guard Paige Bueckers' third-straight game of 30 or more points, second-seeded UConn beat No. 1 seed USC 78-64 on Monday night to earn a trip to the Final Four in Tampa. The Huskies have now made it to the final weekend of the women's college basketball season in 16 of the last 17 NCAA Tournaments, with 2023 being the lone exception.

After winning last night, UConn did not cut down the nets in Spokane. Following the game, Auriemma was asked about his team's decision to refrain from the traditional celebration, and if it was something they had done since this remarkable stretch started in 2008.

"I don't even know when it was that we've done it," Auriemma said. "I don't remember doing it, to be honest with you... We ask the players all the time, 'They bring out a ladder, you guys want to cut down nets?' And they always said no. So we never asked them anymore. We just didn't."

"We've cut down a bunch of those."

Geno Auriemma on why UConn doesn't cut down the nets after an Elite 8 win pic.twitter.com/f3H4q2DhLR
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 1, 2025

The reporter then asked Auriemma if his team was saving its net-cutting for Tampa, which prompted a classic Geno response.

"Yeah. We've cut down a bunch of those," he said.

Overall, the Huskies have won 11 national championships under Auriemma, but none since 2016. They were the runner-up in 2022, but otherwise have lost in the national semifinals in six of their last seven Final Four appearances.

"We're just so grateful, but we know like the journey isn't done," Bueckers said after Monday's win. "We want our story to continue as long as possible, and we have business to finish."

STORRS, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 22: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during the first half of a first round game of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on March 22, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

UConn, the only non-No. 1 seed in the Final Four, will meet UCLA in the second semifinal on Friday night in Tampa.

South Carolina and Texas will face off in the first game of the evening at 7 p.m. ET. Both matchups will be shown on ESPN.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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