Few things in sports media are more entertaining than basketball legends sharing unfiltered thoughts. During the women’s NCAA championship game between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks, ESPN’s “The Bird & Taurasi Show” delivered exactly that. The broadcast featured WNBA icons Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird alongside rising star Caitlin Clark, creating a rare and enjoyable dynamic as they gave live commentary during the high-stakes matchup.
As the game reached the third quarter, the conversation shifted to UConn’s longtime head coach, Geno Auriemma, and the possibility of his retirement. Taurasi, who earned three national championships under Auriemma’s guidance, voiced her doubts that he’d hang it up anytime soon. According to her, the presence of standout freshman Sarah Strong might be just the spark Auriemma needs to stick around and chase yet another legacy. Bird, a fellow UConn alum and two-time champion, backed up Taurasi’s viewpoint without hesitation.
Clark, who famously led Iowa past UConn in the 2024 Final Four, jumped in with a wry observation. Noting Auriemma’s habit of staying around whenever new talent arrives, she quipped, “But then after Sarah Strong, there’s gonna be another good player!” Her comment sent both Taurasi and Bird into laughter, clearly hitting home for the two who had experienced Auriemma’s competitive fire firsthand.
“Exactly, that’s the point,” Bird replied, chuckling. “It never ends,” added Taurasi. Their exchange perfectly captured the cyclical nature of UConn’s dominance—each new star seems to breathe fresh life into Auriemma’s legendary career. That hunger for building greatness appears to be an endless loop, one fueled by the promise of the next big name.
With UConn securing their 12th national title in a dominant 82-59 win over South Carolina, Auriemma once again proved his elite coaching credentials. Now in his 40th year and already the winningest coach in college basketball history, he continues to defy expectations. Retirement may seem logical for a 71-year-old with nothing left to prove—but as long as players like Sarah Strong keep showing up, it looks like Geno Auriemma’s story is far from over.
