Overview
- Hours after Friday's Final Four game, Auriemma issued a written apology through UConn, calling his end-of-game behavior uncalled for and saying the story should be South Carolina's play.
- The statement followed a viral confrontation in the final seconds of South Carolina's 62-48 win that snapped UConn's 54-game streak, with assistants stepping in as the coaches shouted.
- During the broadcast, Auriemma criticized a 6-0 third‑quarter foul count and accused Staley of berating officials, while replays later showed UConn star Sarah Strong ripped her own jersey.
- Auriemma said he was upset about a missed pregame handshake, though video shared by outlets showed the coaches did meet before tipoff.
- Staley downplayed the incident and said she is focused on Sunday's title game against UCLA, as figures like Lisa Leslie and Stephen A. Smith criticized Auriemma and pressed for an apology.