Overview
- Auriemma, who apologized Saturday in a UConn statement, said there was “no excuse” for his end-of-game conduct and directed his apology to South Carolina’s staff and team.
- The heated exchange unfolded in the final seconds of South Carolina’s 62-48 win that snapped UConn’s 54-game streak, and Auriemma then skipped the postgame handshake line.
- During the game, Auriemma complained on ESPN about a 6-0 foul count in the third quarter, said his player’s jersey was ripped, and accused Staley of berating officials.
- Auriemma later said he was upset about a missed pregame handshake, though broadcast video shows the coaches briefly shake hands before tipoff, creating a disputed account.
- Staley declined to engage on the incident and turned to UCLA prep for Sunday’s championship, as figures like Stephen A. Smith and Lisa Leslie criticized Auriemma’s behavior and called for accountability.