Few people in Women’s college basketball understand the basic concept of winning more than Geno Auriemma. The legendary UConn coach is third all-time in wins (1,093) and can potentially surpass the two people ahead of him — Pat Summit and Tara VanDerveer — by the end of next season.
And with an injured UConn trying to improve upon a disappointing Sweet 16 finish last season, it’s understandable if Auriemma has his eyes on two prizes — a 12th National Championship and sole possession of the all-time wins record.
That’s not why he’s seemingly not buying into any narratives that detract from basic basketball success. Not even the idea of a “redeem team” for a UConn squad that may have fallen short primarily due to its health issues. For Auriemma: Enough talk, just win games.
(Warning: NSFW language in the video below.)
Geno being Geno
— Daniel Connolly (@DanielVConnolly) June 20, 2023
Phew. That is a coach clearly really UNHAPPY with how his team’s being talked about. Historically, UConn might be a preeminent blue blood. But great blue bloods — ones who win championships, anyway — don’t necessarily carry themselves as if that label means anything. Or as if looking into the past has any bearing on the future. (It almost never does.)
They’re just talented and play hard and together and scrap and claw for every win. For a team entering the 2023-2024 season as one of the title favorites, Auriemma knows that fact better than anyone. That makes this classic rant a vintage coach rant from someone who wants their team purely focused on the road ahead.
This was how Twitter reacted to Auriemma's brilliant "redeem team" rant
(Warning: NSFW language in some tweets below.)
I like it coach 😂 https://t.co/dyXMsqWK7Y
— Paige Bueckers (@paigebueckers1) June 20, 2023
it’s true. the players all want it, need to execute it out on the court and win. time to show out. no excuses. really excited about the mentality of this year’s team. they need an edge. https://t.co/TootLQuUXe
— Dom (@_nostraDOMus_) June 20, 2023
He knows what's around the corner https://t.co/lVBflN4S3s pic.twitter.com/wpC8lCoKDf
— Storrs South (@UConn6thBorough) June 20, 2023
Print the shirts. https://t.co/BygzkvxNHS
— Dan Arestia (@danarestia) June 20, 2023
Someone is feeling spicy this off-season, huh? https://t.co/jNQxbHSnNF pic.twitter.com/J7nHQGfsMe
— Dribbling Adventure (@DribblingA) June 20, 2023
— Max Toscano (@maxtoscano1) June 20, 2023
I would like a Shut the Fuck Up and Win Games Tour 2023 shirt.
UConn is in its Shut the Fuck Up and Win Games Era. https://t.co/ENt9WS76ld
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) June 20, 2023
Quote of the year candidate from Geno Auriemma https://t.co/HXXX5sG57b
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 20, 2023
Geno Auriemma reminds us of an important life lesson:
“How about we just shut the f**k up and win games? How about we just do that?” https://t.co/GG11yqbB2G
— Rachel Lenzi 💁🏻♀️😎 (@rachelmlenzi) June 20, 2023
