UConn women’s basketball suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of the then-unranked, now No. 14, NC State Wolfpack on Sunday.

Plenty of factors contributed to the loss, but what hurt the most? Geno Auriemma diagnosed the Huskies’ biggest problems during his post-game press conference.

Quotes obtained via Pack Pride on YouTube.

The leading causes

“The two issues, for me, were big picture,” he said, via Pack Pride. “This was the worst offensive performance in terms of running our offense, in terms of ball movement, sharing the ball, moving without the ball, changing sides of the floor, one side to the other. It was like we were content to just stand. Maybe that's a lot of young guys being out on the floor or whatever.

“Defensively, we couldn't get stops at all.”

On offense, UConn assisted on just 15 of 33 buckets while three players — Paige Bueckers (27), Aaliyah Edwards (21) and Qadence Samuels (14) combined for 62 of the team’s 82 points.

Down the other end of the court, not only did the Huskies give up their most points in regulation since 2001, they allowed 30 points in the fourth quarter — most of any period in the game.

“I think those two things [cost us] more than anything else: Our offense was non-existent and defensively, we didn't get stops,” Auriemma said.

The supporting cast

For a team whose depth is supposed to be a strength, UConn didn’t get much outside of Bueckers, Edwards and Samuels. Azzi Fudd had nine points, Caroline Ducharme, Aubrey Griffin and KK Arnold each had two while Ice Brady didn’t score.

“Ice didn't have the kind of impact I was hoping she’d had this game. Neither did Aubrey, neither did Carol,” Auriemma aid. “We needed those guys to have an impact and they didn't. So that's really difficult for us.”

Fouling

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Mike Delorenzo3 years ago

Seems to me they were playing as if scared to make a mistake. Got to start movin and groovin ! I know we have the talent.

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Dave Mennen3 years ago

Auriemma has stated many times he likes - prays for - losses, at least early in the season. Not to refute the master but there seems something a little amiss with that thinking. Is he using losses to motivate himself? his coaching staff? the players? All three? Call me stupid but praying for losses seems a little stupid as a motivator. I’ll take wins over losses any day. Well, coach, you have your loss. Now what?

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Dave Mennen3 years ago

It’s great to say “we got our asses beat” but there needs to be complete, acknowledged accountability by the entire team as well as the coaching staff but especially the starting five who failed in their responsibilities. They need to acknowledge their failures to each other with a commitment to improve and exceed expectations. Someone on the starting five should not get swallowed up in the moment and disappear. To be great means stepping up when needed not shying away. There was only one player on the floor who did that and everyone knows who she is.