Chasing Perfection: A UConn WBB Podcast

In UConn’s three losses this season, something has been missing — it’s just hard to pin down exactly what that is. That topic is especially relevant after the Huskies fell to Tennessee last Thursday and are now set to head to South Carolina on Sunday. With their last chance to prove themselves before the regular season ends, can UConn find the “it” factor? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn women’s basketball is finally getting a break from Big East play with a trip to take on old rival Tennessee. While the Huskies should have an edge in talent, the Vols play unlike any other team in the nation: They press all game, make hockey-style substitutions and shooting a ton of 3-pointers. We’ll learn a lot about UConn on Thursday night.With the old rivalry back in the spotlight, we also discuss Geno Auriemma’s contrite comments about how the matchup became “stupid” because it “become something other than a basketball game.” Lastly, we talk about whether Sarah Strong has wrapped up national freshman of the year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

There’s 10 games left in UConn’s regular season and there hasn’t been much competition recently. With the Huskies rolling through conference play, we try to find the storylines to watch over the next month to keep things interesting. Along with that segment, we also discuss Paige Bueckers reaching 2,000 career points, Aubrey Griffin’s return, the introduction of NCAA Tournament units and the lack of investment in women’s basketball from the rest of the Big East. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn women’s basketball survived a major injury scare when Paige Bueckers came out of an awkward collision with only a knee sprain. Since then, the Huskies have played two games without her and acquitted themselves well. They’ve also been more consistent in the new year — thanks in part to the recent emergence of a few players. We get into all that and more (should the starting lineup change?) in this week’s episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

Coming off a loss to No. 7 USC on Saturday night, UConn remains an enigma. The Huskies were terrible in the first half but turned it around and nearly pulled off a comeback win in the second half. On this episode, we discuss:* How to feel about UConn’s Jekyll and Hyde performance* When it’s reasonable to expect more consistency from the Huskies* Whether they should stick with the small-ball lineup* Is South Carolina a must-win?* Could Paige Bueckers be putting too much pressure on herself?We also touch on the win over Iowa State earlier in the week, try to figure out why UConn isn’t a better 3-point shooting team and talk about the latest injury updates.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn followed up its best performance of the season against Louisville with a step back in a loss at Notre Dame. The Huskies no longer looked like an unstoppable juggernaut. Instead, they reverted to their previous form: A work in progress. On this episode, we discuss reasons for concern and optimism going forward. We also preview the upcoming matchup with Audi Crook and Iowa State, then talk about whether the USC game is a must-win for UConn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn is coming off its best performance of the season with a 33-point thrashing of No. 22 Louisville, but it also has to deal with the (temporary) loss of Azzi Fudd to a (minor) injury. With Notre Dame looming, we discuss how long the Huskies may be without Fudd, how her absence impacts the team and whether we can really know what their potential is. We also try to figure out the last time UConn looked like genuine national championship favorites and preview the heavyweight matchup with the Fighting Irish. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn women’s basketball has finished the tune-up portion of its schedule and now gets into a defining stretch that features four ranked opponents over the next five games. On this episode, we discuss whether the Huskies will be ready for the challenge or if their inconsistency will come back to bite them. We also get into Azzi Fudd’s breakout vs. Ole Miss, the team’s disappointing performance vs. Holy Cross and whether Sarah Strong is already in elite company at UConn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

It’s been an eventful week for the Huskies. Geno Auriemma became the all-time wins leader, Azzi Fudd returned and the team traveled down to The Bahamas. On this episode, we dive into the celebration for the head coach — including a review of the special commemorative ice cream — discuss Fudd’s performance so far and make sense of where the team currently stands. We also look ahead to No. 18 Ole Miss and talk about what concerns us with the matchup. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn is preparing for one of the most anticipated blowouts in the history of college basketball. On Wednesday, Geno Auriemma will become the all-time wins leader (so long as the Huskies beat Fairleigh Dickinson) with at least 63 program alumni expected in the building. It’s going to be a fun night. In terms of basketball, UConn is coming off a win over No. 14 UNC that wasn’t always pretty, but gave the team exactly what it needed. We break down the performance and discuss what we want to see in the next couple of contests. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn began its season with two wins over BU and USF, though it’s not like either of those contests were ever going to be close. Now, the Huskies will get their first test of the year when they travel down to the Tar Heel State to face No. 14 USF. On this episode, we recap the wins — discussing the notable performers, talking about what stood out between the two games — and look ahead to Friday’s matchup. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

It’s officially basketball season in Storrs. On Sunday, UConn took the court for the first time with an exhibition and will begin the regular season in earnest against BU on Sunday at the XL Center. On this week’s episode, we break down the Huskies’ performance against Fort Hays State and then look ahead to the new campaign with our annual season predictions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn women’s basketball will play its first contest in front of a crowd this weekend when it takes on Fort Hays State in exhibition action. To preview the contest, we discuss what we’ll be watching for from the Huskies, such as:* Is Paige Bueckers’ new approach for real?* Does Sarah Strong match the sky-high expectations from her coach?* How does Jana El Alfy perform in her first game in a UConn uniform?We also get into some eye-catching quotes from Geno Auriemma at Big East Media Day and much more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn’s preseason is in full swung. The Huskies held their First Night festivities last week, will head to New York City for Big East Media Day on Wednesday and are just over a week out from their first exhibition contest. With the new campaign creeping closer, we spend this week’s episode breaking down the roster from top to bottom, answering questions such as:* Will Paige Bueckers win national player of the year?* What can UConn expect from Azzi Fudd?* Can Ice Brady replicate her performance at the Big East Tournament across an entire season?* How will Sarah Strong be utilized?And plenty more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn women’s basketball’s new season is getting close. The AP Preseason Poll came out on Tuesday, First Night is set for Friday and the first game action is less than three weeks away. On this episode, we recap the offseason, buy/sell some of the team’s top storylines and begin our preparations for the upcoming campaign. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

With a month to process everything, we look back at UConn’s Final Four loss to Iowa, explain why we’re not all that upset and discuss the controversial foul call at the end. We also look at the Huskies’ roster moves so far this offseason, from the additions of Sarah Strong and Kaitlyn Chen to the other transfer portal activity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

It’s Final Four weekend and UConn women’s basketball is still alive. On this episode, we recap UConn’s Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight victories then preview the much-anticipated matchup with Iowa in the Sweet Sixteen. We discuss why we feel good (and not so good) about the Huskies’ chances against the Hawkeyes and whether they can come home with a 12th national championship trophy from Cleveland. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

The NCAA Tournament is here. On Selection Sunday, UConn found out its path to the Final Four and a 12th national title. On this week’s episode, we discuss the Huskies’ draw, talk about our favorite matchups and make our predictions about how the next month turns out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com

UConn won the Big East Tournament in dominant fashion, but it did so in an unexpected way. After Aaliyah Edwards suffered a broken nose in the quarterfinals, Ice Brady stepped up in her place and had a long-awaited breakout performance. On this week’s episode, we discuss her emergence, Paige Bueckers’ dominance and much more from the weekend. We also look ahead to Selection Sunday and preview where the Huskies may end up. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chasingperfection.substack.com