The Huskies just extended their winning streak to 34 games with a 99–50 blowout of Villanova. And a large share of the credit goes to team leader Sarah Strong, who poured in 24 points. Still, her head coach isn’t satisfied yet.

“She’s not even halfway to where I hope we can help her get. Not even close,” Geno Auriemma said in the postgame press conference. The comment came after Strong finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, five blocks, and three steals.

And honestly, that reaction feels right on brand. In his 41-year tenure, Geno has coached generational stars like Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Candace Parker. He knows how to spot unrealized potential. So when he says Strong isn’t close to her ceiling, it carries real weight.

Auriemma’s criticisms follow a pattern. He infamously benched Breanna Stewart in 2013 for a “pro mindset” and challenged Paige Bueckers to “be more selfish” with her record-breaking freshman assist total (168). And now, with Strong, Geno’s “not close” could very much indicate that he thinks she is the next in line for greatness.

She had already been ranked No. 1 on ESPN's preseason list of the nation's best women's basketball players three months ago. When ESPN released its midseason rankings, she held onto that top spot. Writer Charlie Creme noted that she has only “widened the gap.”

She played a crucial role in UConn’s 2024–25 national championship run as a freshman. That season, she averaged 16.4 points and nearly nine rebounds per game. And now, her scoring has climbed by two more points per night.

The biggest growth, however, has come in defense and as a facilitator. She’s now averaging 4.6 assists and 3.7 steals per game, both major jumps from last season. 

She ranks in the top 50 nationally in both categories among more than 3,300 eligible players. That all-around impact has given her the highest player efficiency rating and individual defensive rating in the country. So where does Geno think she still needs to improve?

It starts with UConn as a whole.

Against Seton Hall, the Huskies assisted on 25 of their 31 made baskets. That 80.6 percent assist rate tied for the second-highest mark of the season. It also placed UConn among the best passing teams in program history.

Strong has played a major role in that ball movement. She quickly filled the playmaking void left by Paige Bueckers, averaging 4.6 assists per game. She scores and creates, often putting teammates first.

But even that unselfishness has its limits in Geno’s eyes. As he said on January 7, “One of the not-so-perky perks of coaching women’s basketball at UConn is you get a lot of unselfish players. It’s a good problem to have, but there’s a fine line.”

So the path forward is clear. The standard is higher. And for Sarah Strong, “not even close” might be the strongest compliment of all.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Joyita Das