Geno Auriemma always expects a breakout performance at the conference tournament. In 1991, Meghan Pattyson won the most outstanding player award instead of Kerry Bascom. In 2002, Asjha Jones took home the honor despite playing on a team with three future Naismith Hall of Famers. In 2023, Ice Brady stepped up and made the all-tournament team after Aaliyah Edwards broke her nose and missed the final two games.

“It has been the case… in my career that somebody who is really, really good comes into this tournament and just has a weekend for the ages,” Auriemma said.

This year, KK Arnold became the latest player to join that lineage. The junior put together the best three-game stretch of her career, earning a spot on the all-tournament team as UConn claimed its 31 conference tournament title. She had a case to be most outstanding player too, though that ultimately went to an also-deserving Sarah Strong.

“She started each game, we followed,” Azzi Fudd said. “Her energy and intensity on offense, on defense, really just got all of us going.”

Arnold didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, though. She took over as UConn’s starting point guard at the start of the season and earned All-Big East First Team recognition. But while Arnold has been known for her defensive prowess throughout her career, her offense took center stage during the Big East Tournament. She reached double-figures in every game, averaging 13.3 points while shooting a remarkable 16-19 from the field. In the semifinal, she dropped 18 points — a career-high against Division I competition.

“The confidence that she has on the offensive end is probably greater than at any time during her college career,” Auriemma said. “She always had the defensive confidence, but I think right now she's in a place that she's never been, that she's really wanted to be at, and I'm really thrilled for her.”

Arnold attacked with the ball in her hands, using her burst to beat defenders on the perimeter and drive to the rim. Her most impressive play of the tournament came in the championship game, when she finished a layup in transition while facing away from the basket.

“KK's been doing really well in practice,” Strong said. “I'm happy to see that she's able to carry that through the tournament and just realize that no one can really stop her.”

So what was the key for Arnold this weekend?

“Honestly, I took some naps,” she laughed. “That helps as well, to get a good little pre-game nap. So I'm so glad I got those.”