What went wrong in UConn's upset loss to NC State

UConn women’s basketball’s flaws were laid bare on network television in a 92-81 loss to the unranked NC State Wolfpack.

Above all else: The Huskies are a bad defensive team right now. They might have had some issues on that end of the ball, but nothing to suggest the disaster that unfolded on Sunday afternoon.

The 92 points are the most UConn has allowed in regulation since the 2000-01 season when Tennessee also put up 92. Saniya Rivers became the first player to have at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists against the Huskies in the last 25 years, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.

The fourth quarter — as the Huskies tried to come back — was NC State’s highest-scoring period with 30 points. Whenever UConn scored a few baskets and closed the gap, it couldn’t get a stop down the other end.

But while the defense was the biggest culprit, it wasn’t the only one. UConn got out-rebounded 41-29. It committed 22 fouls. Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards, and Qadence Samuels scored 62 of 82 points for a team whose depth was supposed to be a strength.

To put it another way:

“We got our asses beat,” Geno Auriemma said postgame, per Hearst CT’s Maggie Vanoni. “Plain and simple."

Defensive meltdown

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