Coach Pushes Lady Huskies to Capture Sixth NCAA Title and Perfect Season

April 10, 2009— -- Geno Auriemma and thewomen of the University of Connecticut's basketball team are used to dream seasons. But when the Lady Huskies captured their sixth NCAA title this week, they achieved perfection -- capping off a historic season with 39 wins.

"At Connecticut, there is no next time, there's only this time, there's only this time," Auriemma said. "Every single game was won by double digits. That's never been done before in the history of college basketball, men's or women's."

The Connecticut Huskies may be the greatest college team ever, and with Auriemma on the court, they're unstoppable. He's won 32 Big East championships and six NCAA titles -- five since 2000. So, what's his coaching secret? Respect and focus behind a tough exterior.

Auriemma said he doesn't treat the team like girls, but like players -- or perhaps something akin to soldiers at a boot camp.

"I don't think people feel a sense of urgency when you have someone sugar coating, and patting your back and giving you lollipops every day," said Kalana Greene, a Huskies guard.

Tina Charles, the Huskies' starting center, was chosen as 2009's most outstanding player in the Final Four this year. But even this star athlete has faced the brunt of Auriemma's criticism for her inconsistent play.

When the Huskies lost to Stanford last year, knocking the team out of the semifinals, Auriemma came right out and said they had no "inside game," singling out Charles' performance.

"I felt kind of distraught," she said. "I take a lot of things personal that coach says, because I know what he wants from me and he knows what I want from this game."