It’s safe to say Geno Auriemma was not happy with the physical nature of Friday’s Final Four matchup and how the referees were calling the game.
The legendary UConn women’s basketball coach spoke with Holly Rowe of ESPN for an in-game sideline interview and torched officials in a fiery rant before his team lost to South Carolina, 62-48.
“Well, there was six fouls called that quarter — all of them against us,” Auriemma said of not getting calls against South Carolina. “And they’ve been beating the s–t out of our guys down there the entire game. I’m not making excuses, we haven’t been able to make a shot. But this is ridiculous.”
Auriemma was particularly upset with the third quarter, when his team was indeed called for every single foul while South Carolina was not whistled for any.
UConn, which led at halftime by two points, was outscored 20-13 in the third quarter to trail going into the fourth.
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemmare reacts during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectUConn finished the game with six free-throw attempts while South Carolina shot 22.
In a win-or-go-home game with a spot in the national title game up for grabs — and UConn’s undefeated record on the line — it was not shocking to see the longtime bench boss get so upset. But the Huskies ultimately lost, ending their perfect season.
