A March Madness reunion is set for Geno Auriemma and his former student, Shea Ralph. But the legendary UConn coach isn't celebrating. He's openly questioning how Ralph's Vanderbilt team even ended up in his region's bracket.

The UConn Huskies are entering the tournament undefeated, with a 34-0 record and a Big East Title. But what didn’t click with the UConn Coach was the Vanderbilt Commodores being in the same region. And reporter Avery Becker took Geno’s response on X.

“I don't know what to make of that, to be honest with you," Auriemma said, as per Becker’s March 16 post. That would be like they are the No.8 team in the country. I find that hard to believe."

Coached by Auriemma’s mentee and former UConn player and assistant coach, Shea Ralph, the Commodores had a historic run this season. Despite their rank in the country, Vanderbilt has seized the 2^nd spot in the SEC with a record of 27-4.

So, Auriemma has hoped that “they (Commodores) were put there because that’s where they’re supposed to be.” And just like him, the Commodores’ coach made her points clear as well.

Shea Ralph on Facing Geno Auriemma

If Vanderbilt can put up the game they’ve played this whole season and make it to the Elite Eight, Ralph could face her mentor. While making her respect clear for Auriemma’s team, Ralph addressed her main focus.

"It was only a matter of time," Ralph said about being in the same region as UConn. “I have a lot of respect for UConn, but I am honestly focused on the first game… I hope that we're able to play against whoever it is that we play against."

Ralph added that she cannot focus past her team’s game, and the outcome is not in her control. Hence, the only job that is there is to play all the way to the top and face whoever is on the way.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar