The UConn Huskies might not have Paige Bueckers anymore, but somehow, they look even stronger heading into what will be Geno Auriemma’s 41st season at Storrs. And that’s largely because of the returning core — led by none other than sophomore forward Sarah Strong. As she enters her second year, Strong has already started carving her name alongside some of the best players in UConn history.

She etched her name alongside UConn royalty, becoming just the fourth sophomore in program history to earn a spot on the preseason AP All-American team( For those wondering, the AP All-America team also featured Lauren Betts, Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker, and Ta’Niya Latson)  — joining Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers. That’s no small feat. Both Moore and Stewart turned those sophomore seasons into Player of the Year honors and undefeated championship runs.

Bueckers’ sophomore season was different. A knee injury sidelined her for 19 regular-season games, but she returned in time to lead UConn all the way to the national championship game, where they fell short against South Carolina. That’s the kind of company Sarah Strong found herself in and the kind of expectations that now surrounded her. And Auriemma believes the forward wanted to do the same.

Speaking with the media on October 21, Auriemma said via UCTV Sports, “You might just see it in an action that she does […] she wants to win so badly.” From the moment she arrived in Storrs, Strong had stood out — not just for her skill, but for her fire. Every drill, every possession, every game, she carried herself like someone who refused to settle for anything less than winning.

She put up 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game last season, leading the Huskies to their first NCAA championship since 2016. Along the way, she broke the NCAA Tournament record for most points scored by a freshman, a milestone once held by Tennessee legend Tamika Catchings. But that’s not all!

She dominated across the board, earning spots on the Big East, NCAA Spokane 3 Regional, and NCAA Final Four all-tournament teams. Strong shattered UConn’s freshman rebound record and became the first freshman since Hall of Famer Maya Moore to score over 600 points. Even Dawn Staley hinted that if Strong kept performing at this level, she could one day go down as the greatest player in UConn history.

When asked if she had reflected on her UConn career so far and what lies ahead, Storm gave a refreshingly simple answer.

Sarah Strong Shares Her Goals for the Season

The Huskies have continuity in their roster. Alongside stars Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade had already proven themselves as reliable contributors over the past two seasons, while Jana El Alfy and Ice Brady stepped up during last year’s championship run. Let’s not forget that they will also have the services of Caroline Ducharme and Ayanna Patterson this season.

With a core like that by her side, chasing another championship feels like the natural goal. And that’s exactly what Strong is aiming for. When asked about what’s next for her, she kept it simple and focused: “I’m not really thinking about that. I feel like if I take care of whatever’s on the court, the rest will happen. I’m focused on winning and having fun.”

It will be fascinating to watch UConn this season. With a seasoned core that knows how to win and key additions like Serah Williams, they’re already ranked number 1 in the latest AP Top 25. If they can fully realize their potential, there’s every reason to consider them favorites to make another deep run in the big dance.