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Photo: Ian Bethune
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For the third time in the last 10 seasons, UConn’s bid for perfection came to an end in the national semifinal. After losing on overtime buzzer-beaters in 2017 and 2018, the Huskies were flat-out beaten by South Carolina on Friday night. They couldn’t get their offense going while Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd were both completely shut down.
Geno vs. Dawn
The final moments of UConn’s Final Four loss provided some fireworks. As Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley shook hands at center court, the two got into a verbal altercation and needed to be separated by officials and their respective assistant coaches.
Auriemma doubled down in the immediate aftermath of the contest but then issued two separate apologies, first on Saturday morning followed by a second on Tuesday night.
Both coaches expressed a desire to move past the incident.
Patterson, Brady hit transfer portal
It didn’t take long for the first offseason moves to begin for UConn. On Monday, Ayanna Patterson reportedly entered the transfer portal and two days later, Ice Brady followed her. The pair both arrived in Storrs as top-five recruits in the class of 2022 but saw their careers derailed by injuries. They only played in a single game together over their four years with the Huskies.
This is where UConn’s roster currently stands:
In case you missed it
Chasing Perfection
Letter from the publisher
Another season is officially in the books.
The 2025-26 campaign marked the sixth for The Weekly and my 11th as a beat writer. While UConn came up short of a 13th national championship, it was still a fun year — especially considering the dreariness of the injury-plagued stretch 2021-24.
With the offseason set to begin, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for following along from Annapolis to Phoenix. Your support allows me to cover UConn women’s basketball full-time. There’s non better job in the world. So whether you’re a longtime subscriber or just discovered The Weekly during the NCAA Tournament, thank you for reading, listening, interacting and being part of the journey.
- Daniel Connolly
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Rankings and awards
AP Poll: UConn came in at No. 3 in the final AP Poll — the only time it failed to hold the top spot this season.
More hardware for Strong: Lost in the hubbub of Final Four weekend, Sarah Strong won the Katrina McClain Award, which goes to the best power forward in the nation. She’s the second Husky to earn the honor, joining Napheesa Collier (2019).
Elsewhere in the world of UConn WBB:
Awful news for Nika Mühl:
Breanna Stewart and Gabby Williams are teaming up again in Turkey:
A crazy stat:
A big honor for Kayleigh Heckel:
The 2025-26 season comes to a close:
UConn showed up to help Shea Ralph celebrate her Coach of the Year awards:
Funny moment when Sarah Strong received the Wade Trophy:
What is UConn's biggest need in the transfer portal?
The week ahead
Saturday: The final National Player of the Year honor, the Wooden Award, will be announced on Saturday, Apr. 10. Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd are both finalists.
Monday: The WNBA Draft will take place in New York City. Azzi Fudd will be taken in the first few picks — potentially ever No. 1 overall — while Serah Williams is expected to go in later rounds.
Social media recap