UConn Retires a Jersey, Retires DePaul, and Cancels Hollywood: The Huskies’ Week of Doom
If you had the misfortune of being scheduled to play the UConn Huskies this week, you are entitled to financial compensation. Or at least a hug.
The No. 1 team in the country didn't just win two games; they committed crimes against competitive balance. They beat DePaul by 67 points. Then they flew across the country and beat a ranked USC team by 28 points.
That is a combined margin of victory of 95 points. I’ve seen closer contests between a windshield and a bug.
The Sue Bird Ceremony (feat. A Basketball Game)
Sunday at Gampel Pavilion was supposed to be about Sue Bird. The legend got her No. 10 retired into the rafters. It was emotional, it was beautiful, and it was the only time the DePaul Blue Demons smiled all day.
Once the actual game started, it was a horror movie. UConn 102, DePaul 35.
Sarah Strong continued her campaign for "Forward of the Century," posting 20 points, five rebounds, five steals, and four assists. She basically treated the DePaul defense like traffic cones.
Azzi Fudd dropped 16 points—all in the first half—and then probably spent the second half signing autographs or planning her dinner. The Huskies had 23 steals. That’s not defense; that’s larceny. DePaul committed turnovers so fast the stat crew got carpal tunnel syndrome.
By halftime, it was 58–18. The only thing missing was the Mercy Rule and a white towel thrown from the DePaul bench.
California Dreamin’ (of a Mercy Rule)
After turning DePaul into dust, the Huskies flew to Los Angeles to face No. 17 USC. Surely, this would be a contest, right? A battle of blue bloods? A test?
Wrong. UConn 79, USC 51.
The game was tight for about five minutes. Then Blanca Quiñonez checked in.
The freshman sparkplug entered the game, and in 90 seconds, she scored six points and stole the ball twice. She completely changed the energy, finishing with 12 points and four steals. She plays defense like she’s personally offended that you have the basketball.
Azzi Fudd (17 points) was the offensive engine, but her defense was the real headline. She put the clamps on USC freshman phenom Jazzy Davidson, holding her to 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting. When Azzi Fudd is locking you down and draining threes in your face, just pack it up and go to the beach.
Sarah Strong (because we can't go a paragraph without mentioning her) added a casual 14 points, seven boards, three steals, and three blocks. She fills up a stat sheet like I fill up a plate at a buffet—completely and with no regard for moderation.
The Sanchez Verdict
UConn is 10-0 and looks absolutely terrifying. They have won 40 straight Big East regular-season games. They are beating ranked teams by nearly 30 on the road.
Geno Auriemma is probably still finding things to yell about in practice, but the rest of the country should be very, very afraid.
Sanchez out.
