The Sarah Strong Era has Begun.

Show Summary

 

On today’s episode of Locked On UConn, we dive into the Huskies’ 88-52 victory over Holy Cross, a game that highlighted the team’s immense potential and its lingering inconsistency. We examine the standout performances of players like Sarah Strong and Kaitlyn Chen, while also exploring Geno Auriemma’s decision-making as he tightens the rotation ahead of UConn’s toughest stretch of the season. With four ranked opponents in the next five games, the Huskies face a defining moment that will test their depth and resilience.

 

Show Notes

 

Opening

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Before diving in, we want to thank our listeners for your incredible support. Your enthusiasm has made us the only daily podcast covering UConn men’s and women’s basketball—the basketball capital of the world. As a token of our gratitude, we’re giving back. We’re donating 10% of our revenue to the Husky Ticket Project, sending kids to UConn games, and making monthly contributions to Bleeding Blue for Good to support impactful NIL initiatives.

 

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Segment 1: The Sarah Strong Era Begins

Freshman Sarah Strong stole the show in UConn’s win over Holy Cross, proving why she was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024. After a quiet first quarter, Strong exploded for a personal 10-0 run in the second and finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in just 25 minutes.

 

Strong’s basketball IQ and poise set her apart, earning comparisons to UConn legends like Breanna Stewart and Stefanie Dolson. Through seven games, she’s averaging 15.6 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds while shooting 54.7% from the field. With a stretch of ranked opponents coming up, Strong’s consistency and versatility will be key to UConn’s success.

 

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Segment 2: A Tale of Two Halves

UConn’s win over Holy Cross highlighted their potential—and their struggles. A flat first quarter saw the Huskies shoot just 4-for-15, and they only managed a six-point lead at halftime. Geno Auriemma didn’t hold back, pulling starters early and calling out his team’s effort.

 

The second half was a different story. Sarah Strong dominated, Kaitlyn Chen delivered a career-best performance with 14 points and seven assists, and the team showed the energy and focus needed to pull away. However, the game underscored a season-long issue: the inability to sustain focus for all four quarters. With Louisville, Notre Dame, Iowa State, and USC on the horizon, those lapses need to be addressed.

 

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Segment 3: Rotation Decisions Ahead

The Holy Cross game wasn’t just about the win—it was about players proving themselves. Geno Auriemma hinted that the rotation would tighten as the schedule gets tougher, and some players seized their chance. Morgan Cheli set a career-high with eight points, KK Arnold showed aggression, and Ice Brady tallied six assists.

 

Looking ahead, UConn faces four ranked opponents in their next five games, a stretch that will reveal who Auriemma truly trusts in high-pressure situations. The rotation has leaned on stars like Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong, but bench players like Cheli and Arnold have an opportunity to carve out larger roles.

 

As Geno put it, “These next three weeks will tell us a lot.”

 

Closing

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Stay tuned—big things are ahead for UConn basketball, and we’ll be here to cover it all. Go Huskies!

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