UConn’s pursuit of another national championship hit an unexpected obstacle just two games into the new season. The Huskies suffered a 77-66 loss to Michigan at Crisler Center, ending a 39-game winning streak and handing the program its first regular-season defeat since February 2025.
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After the game, however, much of the conversation centered not on the loss itself but on Geno Auriemma’s response to it. Rather than focusing on UConn’s mistakes, the Hall of Fame coach chose to credit Michigan and head coach Kim Barnes Arico for the work they have done building the Wolverines into a national contender.
“Kim’s been here, I want to say 15, 16 years,” Auriemma said postgame, per NCAA March Madness on X. “Over the years, they’ve been able to bring in the kind of players that play the way she wants them to play, and they play an aggressive style of play.”
He continued by praising the overall strength of Michigan’s roster beyond stars Syla Swords and Olivia Olson. “They have a really good team,” he said.
Auriemma went even further by adding, “It’s one game for them as well, but they put themselves in a position that, ‘Why can’t we be a Final Four team?’ And that certainly wasn’t the case 10 years ago. So, all the credit to her and her staff.”
While many observers appreciated the sportsmanship, some UConn fans were far less enthusiastic. Several fans took to social media to criticize Auriemma following both the loss and his postgame comments.
One fan described the longtime coach as: “Arrogant, out-of-touch coach.”
The criticism echoed complaints Auriemma has occasionally faced throughout his career regarding his blunt style and old-school approach to coaching.
Another reaction was even more direct by saying, “Fire Geno.”
Auriemma entered his 42nd season at UConn this year, making calls for his removal highly unlikely, but the comment reflected the frustration some supporters felt after the upset defeat.
Others focused on what they viewed as a decline rather than immediate dismissal.
“Geno really should have hung it up after 2025,” another user wrote.
The reaction was not entirely new. Following last season’s Final Four loss to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team, Auriemma also drew criticism after a tense postgame exchange that prompted responses from broadcasters including Stephen A. Smith, Lisa Leslie, and Skip Bayless.
While some of the reaction may have been emotional, Michigan’s victory did expose issues UConn will need to address. Only two Huskies scored in double figures. Jovana Popovic led the way with 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Meanwhile, Sarah Strong struggled through foul trouble and a scoreless first half before finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds. Michigan’s pressure disrupted UConn throughout the game, and the Huskies struggled with both turnovers and foul trouble.
Those issues helped the Wolverines secure one of the biggest wins in program history. The loss is unlikely to alter long-term expectations for a UConn team that remains one of the favorites to compete for a national championship.
Last season’s Huskies went 37-3, posted an undefeated 18-0 Big East record, and captured Auriemma’s 12th NCAA title. Still, the Michigan defeat serves as an early reminder that this year’s journey may not be as smooth as many expected. And after hearing Auriemma praise the Wolverines following the loss, some fans appear willing to scrutinize every step of it.
UConn now turns its attention to another major test, hosting No. 10 Iowa at Gampel Pavilion on Sunday.