Geno Auriemma described UConn and Nika Muhl as selfish - See Her Response and Why UConn is UConn

How things change over the course of a week. Just over a week ago Geno Auriemma gave a scathing review of his team after a slugish win over Xavier. He described UConn players and singled out Nika Muhl as selfish as they would not accept coaching and insisted that they should do it their way. A week later Geno is dancing a jig after UConn won the Biggest Championship Tournament. The next day Nika Muhl attended a press conference. See how she describes her ability to take on coaching. It will surprise you and goes a long way to explain why UConn is UConn.

[@JH-eg7mq]

Great job breaking down the true meaning of what Geno said. He was on point and the players all respect his honesty. Go huskies!

[@back2sports]

thank you. Sorry for butchering the name. I have regrets.

[@Whoozer21]

Of all the You Tubers providing analysis of UConn women's basketball you are the gold standard. You are insightful and from the tone of your voice you respect your audience. Please continue with your fine work!

[@back2sports]

That is really nice feedback which is rare. I am just going through comments now and suspect I am going to get crushed for mis pronouncing Nika's name.

[@jermaineperry8860]

The coach is classic hard noise straightforward fair minded reasonable but loving hardworking passionate caring coach

[@StoryGordon]

So good to see how many posters here understand Geno and how he has been successful... and that it's Nika, not Nickie. What's disappointing is that having been schooled o reality Back 2 Sports has not corrected this misposting which says more about the channel than UConn.

[@back2sports]

Sorry for your disappointment Gordon.

[@carolynbarr770]

Geno is one of the best coaches in College basketball 🏀 hands down!!

[@arthur-ri4zo]

Damn right!

[@chasnami]

If he was so good why does it always take him to cry to the media about his Team? Seems when the Team is doing good its because of him?Lol but when they are not doing so good it's because they don't listen? Can't make this up.

[@chasnami]

and btw they win most of their game due to the fact they have all americans compared to their opponents and they should win!!

[@BuccWylde]

@@chasnami I hear ppl say things like this all the time. It's easy to say they win because they always have good players... Let's do a little analysis of that statement. Why do they have a lot of top level highschool recruits come to their school? 3 reasons, the winning culture and legacy, exposure for foreign leagues and the WNBA, and because of the coaching staff... that's right, Geno. Even though he has a rep as a very demanding coach and is especially hard on star recruits their freshman year, they still sign there. You can't find one past all american former Husky who is negatively critical of Geno...in fact, they praise him even years after graduation. In reality, there's only two women's teams in the last quarter century that are rock solid consistent over that span of time. Uconn and Stanford. What do they have in common? Long tenured HCs. Titans of the game. Geno and Tara come into their schools over 3 decades ago and start winning....and never stop. Players come and go, some players can't hack the pressure of those two schools' standards and leave all the time, but some transfer in because they're looking for a challenge and better team unity. Dorka and Lou are transfers. The girls that choose UConn are actually the unselfish ones. Some players will intentionally pick smaller schools or conferences that don't include UConn or Stanford, because they want to be the star of their team and stuff the stat sheets to get a guaranteed ticket to the WNBA and make that money. Others because it's close to their home or maybe it was one of their parent's alma mater. You won't see a Madison Siegrist at UConn because Geno wouldn't allow a player of even her caliber dial up her own number that many times a game because he knows you don't consistently beat good teams with one superstar. Bueckers would be right there with Maddie and Clark in terms of ppg if she didn't play for UConn. Villanova barely cracks the top ten with the nation's leading scorer and has zero chance at a title because they have no backup plan after Maddie. Iowa has in my opinion the best overall player in Clark but they also have Czinano down in the post as a one-two punch, and some decent coaching. Could make the final four but most likely a title is not great odds for them. South Carolina runs the template for how most teams will build out their rosters in the future. Cardoso was the big star recruit, but Boston is the one getting the accolades, however they really don't just have one powerhouse star that carries the team. They have role players like all historically great teams. They have a slew of tall-as-trees women who aren't chubby, slow, uncoordinated types, but rangey athletic types. I read somewhere that 50-55% of all their points come from second and third chances. This tells me they aren't a great shooting team, but when you mop up offensive rebounds at the alarming rate they do, you don't have to be. They got one tall player after another coming off the bench to keep that vital stat advantage up all game long and it's why they will repeat as champions because other than one measly scare from Ole Miss this year, they showed they can't be handled in the paint. Point is, good team first mentality along with well coached fundamentals wins consistently over the long haul and Geno and Tara along with their respective staff, have those qualities in spades. Remember how dominate Tennessee used to be? Why not so dominate? What changed? No more Pat Summit... that's what. But I guess it wasn't really her influence...just a bunch of quality players inexplicably enrolling to a school with an average coach right? Umm....no, and the proof is in the pudding.

[@back2sports]

He has had a bit of success in his career. I think it was a pretty good hire by UConn. BTW did you know he would have gone to DePaul if they would have offered them the job a year earlier. Talk about sliding door moment.

[@svpst1]

She's NIKA Muhl not Nicky, If you're going to do a video, at least get the subject's name right. They did not beat Villanova by more than 20. Other than your mistakes it was a good video.

[@back2sports]

Hi Brian, you are 100% correct. Screwing up names is my gift. what can i tell you. Not sure how I screwed up the score. I watched the game. I think I cut out new paper clip of their victory over Marquette and had that score in my mind. anyway, thanks for watching and will try to do better next time.

[@back2sports]

Yep, they opened them up in the 3rd qrt. Not sure how I screwed up the score. thanks for watching.

[@svpst1]

@@back2sports No worries, we all trip and skip occasionally, myself, more than most. They indeed took the foot off the gas in Q4 but they won. That's the name of the game, but it's a dangerous way to live when it's win or go home. A lot of the games that weekend were decided in 4q and some of them from big margins. It's never over until it's over.

[@keithm4673]

She's a class act on so many levels!

[@jerrytrevino845]

There is only one true point guard in this league and she`s Olivia Miles.

[@arthur-ri4zo]

@@jerrytrevino845 Olivia Miles is a THUG. She's like Mabrey, a POS.

[@back2sports]

Has Miles knee injury been clarified?

[@maeveherlihy5863]

@@jerrytrevino845 miles is out and plays dirty but good try 😭😭 she’ll have a great time sitting the bench this tourney

[@garymcnaughton2501]

@@jerrytrevino845 so what?

[@lindsaymathews5127]

To all you folks who are not CT residents, we got Geno and you don't! And, we got 11 (ELEVEN) National Championships and you don't have that either!!!! And we got Paige, Azzi, Nike, Aalyia, Aubry, Dorka, and more!!!!!

[@back2sports]

wow what a flex. Let me try it - to all the NFL fans - the Houston Texas got 0 titles and the number 2 draft pick (how did we screw up are draft pick?). We also have simone biles BF on our team. Hmmm think UConn fans have more to flex with

[@davidedwards4720]

How many of your players are from Connecticut, just curious?

[@Locd4life707]

I'm a California girl. And I've been a Uconn fan since 1990. Yes 11 Titles Great players and Coach Geno. I'm jealous Lol. 😆 🤣 😂

[@DrShake-wy1dg]

​@@davidedwards4720 BINGO

[@lecowardjames]

uconn has won nothing since Strewart left 😂

[@Jtrekvulcan66]

Geno wants to get the best out of their players despite themselves. 😊

[@back2sports]

He is a pusher. Players that go their want to be pushed. I don't think Ben Simmons would go well at UConn.

[@robertcammon5969]

Great Coaches never stop coaching. He obviously is sending a message to her about finishing at the rim. He obviously wants Nika to focus on finishing in the lane because it might be the difference in winning a championship. He is coaching for the tournament.

[@back2sports]

would agree.

[@3434arc1]

NIKA MUHL Not exactly got your finger on the pulse of Uconn basketball when you wildly mispronounce the name of their starting guard who, this season has: logged more playing time than any other Husky, broken Sue Bird's 20+ year old single season assist record, been named Big East Defensive Player Of The Year (2nd in a row), referred to, by Geno, as "the heart & soul of the team".

[@back2sports]

Never claimed to have my finger on the pulse of UConn or be a good narrator. However trying to get better at both (learn about UConn as find Geno a really interesting coach & improving making videos as been doing this less than a year). Anyway thanks for comments and constructive criticism. Hopefully I will get better. Thanks so much for giving my video a chance. All the best.

[@RustyLou18]

Nika, Niki, whatever...don't sweat the small stuff. Sure, she broke Sue Bird's assist record BUT in 36 games, she had 284 assists, and 127 of them were TURNOVERS.

[@boomer631]

he is so right about selfish players across the NCAA, AAU etc...

[@arthur-ri4zo]

It's NIKA, not Nicky. Next time ask Geno why Aaliyah misses 50% of her shots in the paint ?

[@back2sports]

Did this video last year. Would hope my voice overs are better now. Beware in my first UConn video call Geno air-e-ema. It is bad! Thanks

[@lukespack]

Nika takes nothing off of anyone. She is a fierce competitor. Did you know Crotia has some beautiful beaches?

[@back2sports]

I have herd Crotia is really beautiful. Australia has great beaches as well but beware of rips and sharks.

[@joycehurst7883]

When you can’t even pronounce her name correctly, should I even listen to you “take”?

[@back2sports]

Probably not. But thanks for watching

[@scottballantyne2904]

Look what is going on with this yrs draft. All the rookies cut. And then there is Uconn. Their player’s are ready & prepared. So say what you want about Geno, he’s mean, he yells. His players are ready. Geno is the man

[@bentmch1]

He is a good coach like a good Dad cause he speaks the truth players sometimes dont like to listen.

[@back2sports]

good coach and brutally honest.

[@bruceterhune3400]

It's Nika, not Nickie. Come on man.

[@back2sports]

Yes, Have apologised in early comments. Not good. Clown College. If you have watched my videos in the past it is clear pronunciation is not the strong part of my game. As well UConn did not win by double digits over Villanova. thanks for putting up with this. all the best.

[@michelsummers6108]

He is right!!! The fundamentals matters

[@michelsummers6108]

She was brought up right! She was accountable!! Great job young lady!!

[@back2sports]

How many passes? 4! - the great Norman Dale

[@back2sports]

Just like Jimmy Chitwood

[@msp5138]

Muhl is not a top 5 point guard on her own team...😂😂😂

[@jermaineperry8860]

Theme of this video show that highlight plays and the star popular in news when came to showing winning championship team or consistent winning team but real reason that it teamwork hardworking Faith countably you and people around you and basic skills first with good motivated happy for each other attitude be successful consistent winner in any sports or life video

[@sammy2840]

She ain’t Caitlin Clark!

[@lecowardjames]

clark is an empty statspaddar

[@lukespack]

True, but no one else is this year.

[@lecowardjames]

@@lukespack they choked last 2 years🤫

[@914Rocky]

Pick and choosing when you want to be coached is not selfish. It’s petulant maybe. But not selfish.

[@back2sports]

You should talk to Geno about it Andy as it was his description

[@jameslarosa2396]

I love Nika. She's the heart of the team. But HVL is the best point guard in the NCAAW. Or Caitlin Clark. But she's more than just a point guard. She's in another class by herself.

[@RustyLou18]

HVL is not a true point guard and CC has just as many turnovers as Nika.

[@jameslarosa2396]

@@RustyLou18 You're sort of correct. And I see where you're coming from. Because pure point guards are a real rarity in college and the pros in this basketball era. Though Nika certainly fits the definition. Even Paige is considered a point guard.

[@undisputedtruth4954]

He sounds like a coach who's irritated with players not being fundamentally sound finishing at the rim. It sucks, and I stopped coaching kids because they all think they're Steph, Kobe, or some other NBA Great. Nika doesn't have Dawn Staley's ability to finish with 1 hand CONSISTENTLY. Coach sounds like it's working his last nerve, not bashing the player. The player has heard it enough to know better, BUT she's shooting it the way she wants to & she misses layups because of it. No coach wants to watch any player turn a 90% make into a 50/50 chance at point blank range. It sucks, and everyone's too sensitive for any coach to go in on players like the players need. It takes players to make a coaching career, just like it takes coaches to shape & mold players into their best self.

[@HonestLeighSpeaking]

Who doesn’t pick and choose when they want to listen and how they’re being coached!?!… I think he means more on the lines of being entitled… So I get it. However, today’s youth are dealing with a different set of issues (Paige is an actual millionaire, and she’s not even in the league) so players in the past had to listen or else it would affect their bottom line. These young people have to be business people as well as students so that they don’t end with the short end of the stick. Maybe he needs a sports psychologist if his coaching does not motivate them. He shouldn’t be dogging his players out in front of the media… That’s classless.

[@isaacclark9825]

There are degrees to choosing to listen. Nika and the Coach both agree that she is not where she wants to be. That said, the best players have confidence in their abilities and an edge that will be shown if they are over-coached or micromanaged.

[@jermaineperry8860]

At first come off as anger controlling competitive unhappy coach but logical life lessons or everyday sports lessons of making mistakes going for highlight plays to win or be consistent in any sports plus other point is that sometime go be teamwork hardworking blind faithful patient motivated.

[@billfinn9536]

Nika has the heart of a champion, thanks Nika for coming to UCONN and congratulations on your basketball career in the US Now beat Syracuse Go Huskies basketball 🏀

[@bondriley2694]

Old news from a years ago.

[@greywolf556]

You lost all credibility the first time you called her "Nicky" Muhl. Might as well say that she plays for uh-cone....

[@back2sports]

Thanks for your comments. All the best.

[@giftcardbill]

I love Nika!

[@garymcnaughton2501]

her name is nika muhl, not nikki.see if you can figure that out

[@back2sports]

thanks I will try.

[@poobado]

Great coaches use psychology…!!!!

[@914Rocky]

The whole Nicky Muhl thing is bizarre. You obviously know nothing about the team.

[@back2sports]

Well that it obvious. What is also obvious is Muhl better bring her A game versus Sheldon and UConn will need to do a better job closing out on 3pt shooters or Mikesell is going to kill them. BTW thanks for watch the video and for your comments. It is appreciated.

[@mikecurtis834]

UConn living off past success..the new standard is south Carolina. Geno needs the top recruits coming outta hs to regain the success UConn use to. Top ranked Young ladies no longer dream of going to UConn and it's amazing seeing the field balanced out💯. I do hope Paige comes bk healthy though she's built different

[@back2sports]

can Carolina be the new UConn - that is the question. I think the test will be what they do after Boston leaves.

[@mikecurtis834]

@@back2sports that's fair to say.but in return what had UConn been since Stewart left, or Maya Moore and Tina Charles. So u basically made my point uconn has only been great with the best player in the nation playing for them. Even back to Diana

[@Paul15.]

South Carolina has a ways to go to match several other teams and they are not even close to Tennessee. Uconn is Tom Brady. Tennessee is Joe Montana. S. Carolina is like Trent Dilfor or Jim Plunkett

[@mikecurtis834]

@@Paul15. south Carolina more like pat maholmes 😂💯..UConn glory days over..of course Geno has the most rings but he's been coaching way longer then dawn also..I'm just expressing that it'll be a while b4 Geno and UConn dominates again. If ever again

[@isaacclark9825]

@@mikecurtis834 Nobody wins with bad players. Even South Carolina isn't finding a way to win with average players. None of the top teams are doing that.

[@lindsaymathews5127]

Thanks to all who pointed out my misspelling of Nika's name. Yes, I misspelled Nika's name. Nika spells her name this way N-I-K-A and that's the way we in CT like to see it toooooo!!! I forgot to mention that here in CT that when you watch a game on tv that is on UCONN's court, what you can't see is the millions of us at home who are also watching the game, but at home. It's almost impossible to be anywhere in CT during March Madness when people everywhere are connecting with each other, regardless of politics, because of the women's and men's basketball games and our dynasty. People rush to get home from work, don't attend meetings, or just call in sick to watch UCONN when it's on tv. In CT you know where there's a UCONN basketball game on tv because there's no traffic on our roads. I think I speak for all UCONN fans in CT when I say, we're still number ONE until someone else wins more than 11 National Championships. And, we're not through! P.S. The best players in the country come to UCONN because of the fans!

[@back2sports]

Wow you wrote a book on how great UConn is. UConn haters are going to love you.

[@lucykim513]

Nika (a) muhl. Not Niki

[@back2sports]

Yep that video was made a while ago. Can't do much about it as once up u can't edit it.

[@bdriscollmd]

Dude, learn how to pronounce her name!

[@back2sports]

That video is a year old

[@Locd4life707]

Geno sounds like he's ready to retire. Omg I love Geno! But he seems like he's ready to pass the Paton to CD.

[@kenichitamagusuku3194]

He is not the queen of cry baby’s for nothing

[@brentmay4271]

Hes sounds very jealous I can't wait til he's gone.......

[@arthur-ri4zo]

Time for you to cheer for another team. Geno is the best coach in the history of women's hoops. Tara has 6 victories more lifetime than Geno. But it took her 6 extra years and an extra 114 games to accomplish this.

[@svpst1]

Ignorance is bliss.

[@arthur-ri4zo]

@@svpst1 She should learn how to spell and punctuate. LOL.

[@JH-eg7mq]

We can’t wait till YOU are gone. No respect. So ignorant. Goodbye.

[@svpst1]

@@paulsinger5102 You think Geno is going somewhere? Not until Paige Bueckers is done playing for UConn. And why woyld Morgan jump over CD and Jamelle?

[@32mlrob]

Geno is such a jerk sometimes...😄

[@back2sports]

He would be very intense. An edge i think. Even when he is joking I would think he would be needling a bit. I find him and the UConn program very interesting.

[@JH-eg7mq]

His sarcasms are what make him great and effective! He praises when it is deserved. It is called standards and 97% people don’t have them. I stand by and respect Geno’s coaching. HE GETS RESULTS! Go Huskies!