In case they didn’t get enough of each other during the NCAA women’s Final Four, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley will meet again this fall.
As part of a slate that also pits reining national champion UCLA against St. John’s, UConn and South Carolina will face off in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase on Nov. 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.
This comes after Auriemma shouted at Staley after a brief handshake in the waning seconds of the Gamecocks’ 62-48 over the Huskies in the national semifinals in Phoenix. That game ended UConn’s undefeated season and stopped a 54-game win streak.
Immediately after the clash between coaches, Auriemma told reporters in his postgame press conference that he was upset about the officiating and what he perceived as a slight from Staley involving a pregame handshake.
In the aftermath, UConn also released a statement from Auriemma where he apologized but did not mention Staley. He apologized to Staley and her staff in a second statement.
On May 4, Auriemma addressed the fallout in a press conference in Storrs, Connecticut.
“I just feel like a dumbass for the way it played out. We are all human and we all do dumb s—.”
The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, with emotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.
That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women’s basketball’s most prominent coaches.
Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women’s Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies exchange words during the fourth quarter in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley (R) yells at Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during Final Four in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out at the referee during their NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3, 2026.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out at the referee during their NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3, 2026.
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma yells to his team against South Carolina at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during a Final Four semifinal game in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the second quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the second quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies gestures during the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the first quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks gestures during the second quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the first quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the first quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on during the first half against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts in the first quarter against the UConn Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies looks on during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley yells to her team around an official against Connecticut at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during a Final Four semifinal game in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley yells to her team around an official against Connecticut at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during a Final Four semifinal game in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemmare reacts during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center.1 / 24
Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, with emotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.
That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women’s basketball’s most prominent coaches.
Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women’s Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and UConn was played with intensity throughout, with emotions building as the game reached its closing stretch.
That tension surfaced late as the outcome was decided, leading to visible reactions and an exchange between two of women’s basketball’s most prominent coaches.
Above, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley react during the second half of the 2026 Women’s Final Four semifinal at Mortgage Matchup Center.
2 / 24
Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies exchange words during the fourth quarter in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley (R) yells at Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during Final Four in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out at the referee during their NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out at the referee during their NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma yells to his team against South Carolina at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during a Final Four semifinal game in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the second quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the second quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies gestures during the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the first quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks gestures during the second quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the first quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the first quarter against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on during the first half against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts in the first quarter against the UConn Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies looks on during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley yells to her team around an official against Connecticut at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during a Final Four semifinal game in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley yells to her team around an official against Connecticut at the Mortgage Matchup Arena during a Final Four semifinal game in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma bring intensity to SC‑UConn. See photos
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemmare reacts during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center.
As two of women’s basketball’s most prominent programs, UConn and South Carolina have met twice in the NCAA title game, with UConn rolling to an 82-59 victory in the 2025 national championship game, while South Carolina won the 2022 title with a 64-49 win.
Neither coach mentioned the other, or their programs specifically, in their quotes released by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame about November’s game.
“The Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase is an event we’re excited to participate in each season,” Auriemma said. “It featured some of the top non-conference games and has become a great stage for women’s basketball. Fans will once again get to see some great basketball at Mohegan Sun.”
Staley’s comments offered a similar sentiment, focusing on the quality of the event: “It’s always great to be back at an event tied to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame because we know it will be a great experience for teams and fans from start to finish. The organizers do a great job of creating elite matchups and an amazing environment at Mohegan Sun.”
UConn’s roster is headlined by National Player of the Year Sarah Strong, while South Carolina brings the No. 2 ranked recruiting class in the nation into the matchup. Oliviyah Edwards and Jerzy Robinson are anticipated to make their debuts in the marquee game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley to meet again in November after Final Four clash
