UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma is very proud of Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Shea Ralph and her team’s undefeated record.
“I enjoy watching them play,” Auriemma said of Ralph and No. 4 Vanderbilt. “She’s not quite [Indiana Hoosiers coach] Curt Cignetti yet, but to go down there and do what she’s done in such a short period of time, I think, is really cool.
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“I’m really happy for all of them. It’s not easy to do what she’s done. She’s so detail-oriented. She’s so competitive in so many ways. [She’s] a great teacher …”
At 19-0, the Commodores are one of two undefeated teams in the country. Auriemma’s Huskies, who have the same record as Vanderbilt, are the other team. During the current winning streak, the Commodores are undefeated in SEC conference play and have earned ranked wins over No. 6 LSU and No. 7 Michigan. Additionally, sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes, who won USBWA National Freshman of the Year last season, is second in scoring nationally, averaging 25.6 points a game.
Before joining the Commodores in 2021, Ralph spent five seasons at Pittsburgh as an assistant coach (2003-2008) and 13 seasons (2008-2021) as a UConn assistant. She won seven national titles with the Huskies, including six as an assistant coach and one as a player under Auriemma on the 2000 national championship team. Over Ralph’s last three seasons in Nashville, Tennessee, the Commodores have a 64-21 (.752) record and made two NCAA Tournament appearances (2023-24 and 2024-25), which ended a nine-year drought after 15 consecutive bids from 1999 to 2014.
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“I’m thrilled for her,” Auriemma said. “I’m excited to see who they play next.”
Vanderbilt hosts Auburn on Thursday, Jan. 22, before taking on No. 2 South Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 25.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Geno Auriemma praises Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph’s undefeated start
