The UConn Pod: for UConn Huskies fans

Chasing Perfection: What’s UConn’s ceiling? (Ep. 87)

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 23:19:00 -0000

On this week’s episode, we take listener questions while discussing UConn women’s basketball’s past week. We talk about the Huskies’ potential ceiling, give our picks for who might succeed Geno Auriemma one day, look ahead to St. John’s and more. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: Pieces starting to fall into place for UConn (Ep. 86)

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:44:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is starting to figure out life without Azzi Fudd. The Huskies returned from the holiday break with a resounding win over Creighton and followed it up with a mostly comfortable victory against Marquette. On this week’s episode, we discuss the team’s progress, the frontcourt’s recent play, the AP Poll, why some teams in the Big East are capping their women’s basketball programs and more. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: Heading into the holidays on a high note (Ep. 85)

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:55:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball will go into the holiday break happy after wins over Florida State and Seton Hall. In this week’s episode, we discuss the Huskies’ performance, the return of Dorka Juhász, how the team is starting to figure out how to play without Azzi Fudd and more. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn's most far-fetched week yet (Ep. 84)

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 17:16:00 -0000

UConn’s already strange season turned even more bizarre this past week with a tight win over Princeton that added to the already-heavy injury toll and featured one of the craziest finishes that we’ve ever seen. The shorthanded Huskies also fell to Maryland, but we explain why we’re actually encouraged by the team’s performance in the loss. We also discuss Inêsanity, the frontcourt’s standout performances, and why the new year could provide hope. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: Another trophy added to the collection (Ep. 82)

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:05:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is 5-0 on the season after taking down Duke and Iowa to win the Phil Knight Legacy in Portland over Thanksgiving weekend. On this week’s episode, we break down the wins, discuss the team’s impressive resilience, look at Azzi Fudd and Aaliyah Edwards’ dominance, preview the upcoming matchup with Notre Dame and more. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: The Azzi Fudd Era begins (Ep. 81)

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:38:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is through its first week. The Huskies are 2-0 after beating Northeastern in the opener followed by a big win over No. 3 Texas. On this week’s episode, we break down the victories, discuss Azzi Fudd’s rapid ascent to stardom (and why she’s barely scratching the surface), talk about Aubrey Griffin’s strong start and go through the other risers and fallers from the games. After that, we preview the upcoming matchup with No. 10 NC State. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: The season predictions show

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 15:33:00 -0000

The season has finally arrived! On this week’s episode, we make our predictions for UConn’s 2022-23 campaign — such as the leading scorer, number of All-Americans and whether or not the Huskies will make it back to the final four. Along with that, we discuss UConn’s surprise commitment Jana El Alfy, and the team’s exhibition vs. Kutztown. Subscribe to Chasing Perfection's new feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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The UConn Football Pod: Better than Boston College

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0000

UConn had never beaten Boston College in football. Of course, BC avoided some of the better Husky teams of the FBS era but still this was a craw in the side of many UConn faithful. Still, before the season, nobody could have reasonably predicted that this horrible streak would end this year. The BC win is another in a line of successes this season. Going in, we would have been happy with three wins. UConn eclipsed that and got the elusive FBS win, a road win, and a power five win this season. The most important thing that has been proven here thus far is that Storrs is not a wasteland where college football goes to die (or be really, really bad). Moving the program down because of a few bad years was a dumb idea, and now it looks even dumber. On this episode of the pod (our first since before the Ball State game, our apologies) the crew discusses what it means to beat BC, how much further UConn can go, and what the future holds for this program after its best season since 2015.

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Chasing Perfection: The first (exhibition) game week of the season

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 22:24:00 -0000

This week, UConn women’s basketball will play a real game — an exhibition — but a real game nonetheless against Kutztown at the XL Center. So what should we expect from the Huskies? Well, they’ll be without freshman Ice Brady for the entire season after she suffered a knee injury and if the secret scrimmage against UMass is any indication, the offense will be ahead of the defense. On this week’s episode, we discuss all that, make a few predictions for the exhibition and also play a couple of new games. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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Chasing Perfection: The offseason is nearly over (Ep. 78)

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 23:38:00 -0000

The days left in UConn women’s basketball’s offseason are numbered. The Huskies have just a few weeks left until they open the season and the outlook for the team is starting to become clear. On this week’s episode, we discuss Geno Auriemma’s surprising optimism around the start of the practice, why Azzi Fudd is being crowned as UConn’s next superstar and whether the Huskies’ spot in the AP Preseason Poll is fair. Chasing Perfection now has its own feed! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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The UConn Football Pod: Two in a row

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 16:17:00 -0000

In this episode, our crew broke down the Huskies’ performance against FIU, how they will move on from the injury of yet another key skill position player, and we also re-ranked the remaining games of the season by UConn’s win probability — a preview:

UMass
Ball State

… listen to hear more.

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The UConn Football Pod: Victory!

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 23:37:00 -0000

On Saturday, UConn football notched its first FBS win in 1,072 days and first home FBS win in 1,827 days. In doing so, the path to a successful first-year campaign for the Jim Mora Era has become very clear: the Huskies (2-4) need to beat FIU and UMass and stay competitive in the back half of the schedule. Four is the floor! This podcast breaks down the Fresno State win, with lots of kudos to go around in the victory effort. In addition to earning the win with a dominant performance and a 4th-quarter TD drive, UConn displayed tremendous mental toughness to grind out a contest like this after three straight blowouts, two on the road. Next up, this resilient squad is heading to Florida International, where the Huskies will actually be favored! How quickly things can change.

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The UConn Football Pod: Wake me up in Fresno

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 02:32:00 -0000

On this week’s podcast, we briefly went through the highlights and takeaways from another big loss at NC State. With Syracuse receiving votes, and a tough Fresno State squad visiting the Rent this Saturday, this has actually been a challenging four-game stretch for Jim Mora’s injury-ridden roster.

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The UConn Football Pod: Finding hope in dark places

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:11:00 -0000

Despite the lopsided outcome in the Michigan game, UConn has reason to remain hopeful for better performances in the future. The Wolverines are one of the best teams in the country, and much more reasonable competition awaits later in the schedule.

For now, the Huskies have to prepare for No. 12 NC State. While not on Michigan’s level, this is still a great team, and likely another game where UConn loses big. With Nate Carter’s shoulder injury, the offense is without its top player. The Wolfpack are at home, they have a deep, experienced defense and plenty of firepower on offense, too.

That said, we’re still looking for Jim Mora’s squad to cut down on mistakes, and at least give themselves the best possible chance to win. This also includes opening up the offense a little, no matter who’s in at quarterback.

The latest episode of the podcast tackles these topics and looks ahead to expectations for the rest of the season. Enjoy!

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The UConn Football Pod: Syracuse review, cautious look ahead

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:24:00 -0000

In the latest episode of the podcast, we break down the 48-14 loss to Syracuse and what UConn needs to do to survive these next three weeks. While most predicted a loss, this was the first game of the season where UConn failed to meet or exceed expectations.

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The UConn Football Pod: Syracuse pre-game show

Sat, 10 Sep 2022 01:25:00 -0000

In this week’s preview podcast, we broke down the matchup against Syracuse. UConn will have its hands full, but also has a chance this weekend. If some things go right… who knows?

We’ll be keeping an eye on Zion Turner to see how he can adjust to a higher level of competition as a starter and Nate Carter to see if he can keep the train going. Defensively, we’ll be sweating out big plays in the passing game and hoping to keep Sean Tucker in check.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Bueckers is back; UConn makes a late addition (Ep. 77)

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 18:49:00 -0000

With the fall semester starting last week, the season feels like it’s almost here. The entire team is back on campus, workouts are re-starting and there’s a little less than two months to go until UConn’s first exhibition. On this week’s episode, we talk about Paige Bueckers’ decision to return to the Huskies in 2023-24, her first comments since tearing her ACL and what the future holds for her in Storrs. After that, we break down Inês Bettencourt, UConn’s new addition, and explain why that doesn’t take any of the pressure off Nika Mühl. Lastly, we get into the WNBA Playoffs. Chasing Perfection now has its own feed! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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The UConn Football Pod: CCSU game analysis

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:38:00 -0000

Aman and Luke review the Central Connecticut game, including the performance of new starting QB Zion Turner, the emergence of new potential playmakers on offense, and growing concerns around the secondary.

The Huskies did a good job of comfortably handling their FCS opponent, which is of course the most important goal of the day. Next up, they host a longtime rival in the Syracuse Orange, who are coming off a 31-7 win over Louisville to open its season. Jim Mora and his staff will have to keep this team progressing if this Saturday’s date at the Rent is going to be close enough to meet fans’ newly heightened expectations for this team.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Football Pod: CCSU Preview & Interview w/ Patrick Mahorn

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0000

In this week’s preview pod, we go light on CCSU preview and heavy on evaluating UConn’s performance in its first game. To help us do that, we interviewed Patrick Mahorn, who covers Utah State and also writes about football strategy for Meet at Midfield. Mahorn shared his standouts from the UConn side, with some really great insight on who looked good, and who didn’t for the Huskies.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Football Pod: Updating our expectations for 2022

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 15:39:00 -0000

In the latest episode of our podcast, the crew breaks down what stood out from the Utah State game, including RB Nate Carter, the O-line, the defensive front seven, and the coaching staff. While some concerns remain, such as a true freshman now starting at QB, plus issues in pass-blocking, and pass defense, UConn gave its fans a lot of signs to be encouraged about in its season debut.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Football Pod: Utah State Preview

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 18:09:00 -0000

In the latest episode of the podcast, the crew discusses the departure of UConn defensive coordinator Lou Spanos; the recent depth chart release; and what to watch for in the Huskies’ season-opening matchup at Utah State.

Husky fans have a lot to keep tabs on in new head coach Jim Mora’s debut, including the quarterback position, pass rushers, and the running game on both sides of the ball.

The Huskies will have their hands full against a strong Aggies squad, but also have a chance to make a statement by keeping this closer than expected. If this game goes better than last year’s Week 0 contest against a leading Mountain West opponent, that would be a great start to the season.

We end with some guesses on UConn’s point total Saturday and performance against the 27-point spread. What are your thoughts?

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The UConn Football Pod: Camp storylines & Expectations for the defense

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 19:42:34 -0000

In the latest episode of the podcast, we discuss the key storylines as fall camp is under way. This includes some outbound transfers, a new contender in the quarterback competition, and emerging names at running back.

We also previewed the defense by position group, noting strength at linebacker, while D-line and especially the secondary still have questions to answer.

This podcast was recorded before the announcement of Lou Spanos’ “leave of absence” from the team. But we will address that in next week’s episode.

Enjoy!

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The Football Pod: Expectations for the 2022 Offense

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 19:36:09 -0000

In the latest episode of the football podcast, we discuss what the offense will look like this year.

Under the new leadership of Jim Mora and a promising young offensive coordinator, hopes are high in Storrs (and East Hartford) for improvement. How much improvement? That remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, new talent at quarterback, receiver, and offensive line at least make this year’s team deeper across the board — and that should help. The 2022 offense is not going to light many people up, but getting out of the bottom of FBS, where it has been for the last couple of seasons, would be a solid start for the Mora era and is certainly attainable.

We end by picking an offensive player on the current roster most likely to make it to the NFL. Feel free to share your own pick in the comments!

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Emergency Podcast: Paige Bueckers is out for the year with a torn ACL

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 14:54:52 -0000

On Wednesday, UConn announced that Paige Bueckers will miss the entire 2022-23 season after tearing her ACL in a pickup game. We convened an emergency podcast to react to the news, discuss what this means for the Huskies and debate whether we’ve seen the last of Bueckers in Storrs.

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The UConn Football Pod: Key Roster Changes

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:46:29 -0000

In the latest episode of our podcast, we go through UConn football’s outgoing transfers, players lost to graduation, and took a look at the incoming transfer class. The Huskies definitely lost a bunch of key contributors, but are also addressing key needs via the portal.

We also played a fun game where Tucker gave Aman and Luke blind resume tests in order to form a brand new football conference for UConn to play in. The results are a bit overwhelming—we regret to inform you that Rutgers somehow made it in—but we ended up putting a pretty decent group together.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: UConn's non-conference schedule, recruiting news and bandwagons (Ep. 76)

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 15:58:03 -0000

This week, we found some time between our summer travels to record a new episode. We discuss UConn’s non-conference schedule and explain why it’s close to perfect, look at some of the matchups we’re most excited for and complain further about Florida State’s inclusion on the slate. After that, we get into Qadence Samuels, the Huskies’ newest commitment, and provide a scouting report on her, fellow commit KK Arnold and other players that impressed at Nike Nationals in Chicago last week. A new bandwagon gets started as well. We then talk UConn’s summer workouts and mention why we’re not concerned about Azzi Fudd’s lingering foot injury but are still worried about Aubrey Griffin’s return from back surgery. Lastly, we close with UConn in the WNBA. Chasing Perfection now has its own feed! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Substack.

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The UConn Football Pod: How many winnable games are on the schedule?

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:09:27 -0000

In the second episode of our UConn football podcast, we follow up the team-by-team schedule preview with some of our overall thoughts on the 12-game slate. We ranked the most winnable games and picked out a few potential road trips for fans to consider. For Season Two of independence, it’s a pretty solid schedule.

We also had no choice but to discuss the wheels of conference realignment spinning once again. UConn is in an interesting place, perhaps less eager to make a move than a lot of other schools, but still needs to be mindful of the constantly-changing landscape and how it may affect the Husky athletic department.

If you missed the first podcast episode, on the current state of the program, you can check it out here! We also dropped a preview on the Husky quarterbacks earlier today.

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The UConn Football Pod: Does this program deserve to exist?

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:16:05 -0000

In the first episode of our new football-only podcast, we decided to start with a conversation about the state of the program.

UConn football has been independent for two seasons, one of which it did not play due to COVID-19. The Huskies have their third new head coach in seven years and have not eclipsed the three-win mark since 2015. Their last winning season was 2011.

What’s up with UConn football? Is there any merit to the idea of moving to FCS? These are the questions we start with.

Though Rentschler Field once rocked, that is no more. Fan interest and attendance are dwindling. New head coach Jim Mora is an interesting hire, but far from a sure thing. The history of coaches like him working out in situations similar to UConn is … mixed.

Across the 40-minute conversation, our football podcast crew addressed the meaning of UConn football’s existence, life as an independent, and reasons for optimism with this program going forward.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Did UConn add enough to its roster this offseason? (Ep. 75)

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 02:58:00 -0000

The busiest part of UConn women’s basketball’s offseason is nearly over. The Huskies will soon wrap up summer workouts and any remaining news should be announced before July.

On this week’s episode, we break down UConn’s matchups with Florida State and Maryland this upcoming season and take an early look at some of the other non-conference opponents.

After that, we discuss the state of the Huskies’ roster after Geno Auriemma said there’s only a “remote” chance the team adds another player and debate whether they did enough to strengthen the squad over the offseason. We also run through all the injury updates and close with the news of Sue Bird’s retirement.

Chasing Perfection now has its own feed! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or directly on Substack to get an email when a new episode is published.

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Chasing Perfection: First starting lineup predictions

Wed, 25 May 2022 20:05:00 -0000

It’s a quiet part of the offseason before UConn begins summer workouts, so on this week’s episode, we answered listener questions from Twitter. We make our first starting lineup predictions for next season, discuss expectations for both the team as a whole and individual players, debate Paige Bueckers’ scoring and much more.

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Chasing Perfection: Early look-ahead to next season

Fri, 13 May 2022 15:29:42 -0000

It’s never too early to start looking ahead to next year. With UConn women’s basketball’s summer workouts set to get underway in the coming weeks, we peek towards the 2022-23 season by breaking down the roster, previewing the newcomers and answering the biggest questions surrounding the team. After that, we also dive into the latest news about the former Huskies in the WNBA.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn in the WNBA season preview

Thu, 05 May 2022 15:20:48 -0000

The WNBA season begins on Friday with former UConn players on 10 of the league’s 12 rosters. On this week’s episode, we break down the biggest storylines involving Huskies, discuss Crystal Dangerfield’s surprising cut and make some predictions for the upcoming campaign.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn adds Lou number two

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:42:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball made its first addition out of the transfer portal this offseason, landing Fairfield’s Lou Lopez Sénéchal. On this week’s episode, we discuss her fit with the Huskies, whether or not she’ll even contribute and how she could impact the team if she does play. After that, we break down the change Connecticut’s NIL rules that could potentially allow for player jerseys and more. Finally, we close by discussing the WNBA Draft, Christyn Williams’ season-ending injury and the strong starts from Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Evina Westbrook.

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Chasing Perfection: End of season grades; WNBA Draft preview

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 17:12:34 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s 2021-22 season ended in bitter fashion with a championship game loss to South Carolina. On this episode, we break down the loss and explain why it’s a fitting close to the campaign. We also give our gut-reaction grades for the entire roster, look ahead to the WNBA Draft and mention Piath Gabriel’s departure.

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Chasing Perfection: Championship game bound

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 15:33:31 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is championship game bound. The Huskies defeated Stanford 63-58 in the national semifinal and advanced to the final against South Carolina on Sunday. On this emergency episode, we break down UConn’s win by any means necessary, discuss Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s redemption and talk about everything else from the victory. We also preview the title game and explain why we’re both picking the Huskies to take home their 12th national championship.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn heading to the Final Four (again)

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 02:27:24 -0000

It took two overtimes, but UConn women’s basketball is heading to its 14th straight Final Four after taking down top-seeded NC State in the Elite Eight on Monday. On this week’s episode, we recap the victory, discuss Paige Bueckers’ remarkable performance, Christyn Williams’ spark and Dorka Juhász injury. We also preview the Stanford game and explain why we don’t feel great about the Huskies’ chances.

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Chasing Perfection: Survive and advance

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 01:34:55 -0000

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The UConn Pod: Men's basketball blues

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 19:27:57 -0000

The UConn Huskies exited the NCAA Tournament in disappointing fashion with a loss to New Mexico State that frankly was not really close. The underdogs held a 10-point lead at halftime and while Dan Hurley’s squad closed in and even tied it up, they never held a lead in the second half and NMSU closed the game out relatively comfortably. It’s a tough way to end a season that had lots of promise. Now that it’s over, many questions linger or are emerging about the state of this team next year. Is top assistant Kimani Young on his way out? Who will be the primary ballhandler next year? What kinds of players are they looking at in the transfer portal? Will next year’s team take a step back? Aman, Shawn, and Patrick dive into these questions and more. Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: NCAA Tournament preview (Ep. 63)

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 01:50:36 -0000

The NCAA Tournament is finally upon us. UConn women’s basketball will look to finally take home its 12th national championship — the path to which starts on Saturday against 15-seed Mercer. On this episode, we break down the Huskies’ seed, their placement in the Bridgeport Regional and their draw for the first two rounds. After that, we look at the rest of the region and go around the bracket as well.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn rolls through the Big East Tournament (Ep. 62)

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 01:01:13 -0000

UConn women’s basketball will turn its attention to the NCAA Tournament after earning an automatic bid with three strong performance in the Big East Tournament. In this episode, we discuss our biggest takeaways from the tournament, break down Paige Bueckers’ status, debate the Big East’s NCAA Tournament prospects and more!

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Chasing Perfection: Bueckers returns, Big East Tournament begins (Ep. 61)

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 01:12:13 -0000

It’s March, which means the postseason is set to begin for UConn women’s basketball. The Huskies closed out the regular season with the return of Paige Bueckers and will now turn their attention to the Big East Tournament this weekend. We discuss how Bueckers looked in her first two games back, expectations for her moving forward, why the Big East Tournament is a statement opportunity for this team and more.

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Chasing Perfection: Paige Bueckers is back (Ep. 60)

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 16:30:29 -0000

The day has finally arrived. On Friday night against St. John’s, Paige Bueckers will play for the first time since suffering a left knee injury back on Dec. 5 against Notre Dame. On this week’s episode, we break down Bueckers’ return, debate how much of an impact she’ll make, discuss how the Huskies did in the 10 weeks without her and more.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn’s roller coaster season continues (Ep. 59)

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 15:24:36 -0000

In a season where the idea of “normal” went out the window months ago, UConn women’s basketball’s past week might’ve just taken the cake for the team’s most bizarre stretch. On Wednesday, the Huskies unexpectedly lost Olivia Nelson-Ododa just before tip-off and dropped their first conference game in nine years to Villanova. Then, they earned two tough but comfortable wins over DePaul and Marquette with Nelson-Ododa (and Caroline Ducharme) still out. On this week’s episode, we try to make sense of the three games, look at the recent emergence of Azzi Fudd and Dorka Juhász, and also discuss the field for PK85 next fall.

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Chasing Perfection: Azzi Fudd arrives (Ep. 58)

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:24:59 -0000

Azzi Fudd has arrived, folks. On Sunday, the freshman broke out for a 25-point day in UConn’s win over Tennessee to help fill the void left by Caroline Ducharme, who sat out as a precaution. On this week’s episode, we talk about Fudd’s emergence, discuss what else impressed us from the Huskies’ victory and look forward towards the next few games. We also debate whether or not UConn should keep the throwback uniforms on a permanent basis along with plenty more.

Note: On the episode, we discuss the new podcast feed for Chasing Perfection. However, we will not have that up until later this week due to some technical difficulties and other problems.

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Chasing Perfection: The good, the bad and the ugly (Ep. 57)

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 18:24:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s two most recent performances have been quite a mixed bag. The Huskies played poorly in a 69-61 win at Providence on Sunday then traveled to Creighton, where they looked horrible for the first 17 minutes and great for the final 23 to earn a 76-56 win over the Bluejays. On this week’s episode, we break down the inconsistency, look at who impressed and discuss whether or not the good outweighs the bad from the two contests. After that, we preview UConn’s big matchup with Tennessee and debate how NCAA Tournament seeding will be impacted by the result.

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Chasing Perfection: The Caroline Ducharme Show (Ep. 56)

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 22:01:00 -0000

If it wasn’t obvious before, it is now: Caroline Ducharme is UConn women’s basketball’s newest star. The freshman hit the Huskies’ first game-winning shot in 14 years to lift the Huskies past DePaul, 80-78. On this week’s episode, we break down the game, why the win’s so important and how it changes our perception of the team. We also look at the NCAA’s initial bracket reveal, discuss whether or not UConn can become a 2-seed by the end of the season and close with a couple quick hitters.

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Chasing Perfection: The hits don’t stop for UConn (Ep. 55)

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 05:45:06 -0000

The hits keep coming for UConn women’s basketball. Ahead of the Huskies’ matchup at Oregon on Monday, they lost senior guard Christyn Williams to COVID protocols and subsequently didn’t have the necessary firepower to play a competitive game on the road. On this week’s episode, we discuss how much we can takeaway from the loss, what concerns us the most about the team’s play, Olivia Nelson-Ododa strong performance and more. We also look back at UConn’s wins over Butler and Xavier, and explain why they’re still important.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn finally returns to action (Ep. 54)

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 17:53:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is finally back after a long layoff due to both the Christmas break and COVID problems in the program. The Huskies kicked off the new year with a 63-55 win over Creighton on Sunday and have three games on tap in the upcoming week. On this episode, we break down UConn’s performance, look at Caroline Ducharme’s continued ascent, discuss our level of concern with the team’s seniors, provide an update on the health of the sidelined players and more. After that, we talk about Sue Bird’s decision to return for a 19th WNBA season and run through which former Huskies are set to hit free agency this month. Lastly, we look ahead of the Huskies’ matchups with Butler on Wednesday, Xavier on Saturday and Oregon on Monday.

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Chasing Perfection: Geno vs. Muffet (Ep. 53)

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:03:15 -0000

UConn women’s basketball still hasn’t played since returning from Christmas because of COVID, but Geno Auriemma still found ways to make headlines. On Monday, the coach blasted Muffet McGraw for her comments about ESPN’s supposed bias towards the Huskies. On this episode, we discuss that showdown, talk about UConn’s COVID issues, come up with some theories about this year’s team and also look at what’s going on around the rest of the country.

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Chasing Perfection: COVID cancelations hit (Ep. 52)

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 01:42:10 -0000

UConn women’s basketball has been heavily affected by COVID since returning from Christmas. The Huskies’ final two games of 2021 were both canceled because of the virus, first — against Marquette on Dec. 29 — because of COVID problems in Marquette’s program and then — at DePaul on Dec. 31 — because UConn’s own problems. We discuss those cancelations and what they mean for the rest of the season on this week’s episode. We also mention Mir McLean’s new home and come up with some new year’s resolutions for the team.

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Chasing Perfection: The silver lining from UConn's loss to Louisville (Ep. 51)

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 21:04:20 -0000

UConn women’s basketball enters its holiday break on a sour note with a 69-64 loss to No. 6 Louisville. While the Huskies dropped to 6-3 on the season, there are some silver linings from the defeat. Unlike the team’s other two losses, UConn had chances to win and competed well against the No. 6 team in the nation despite being down four key players. Caroline Ducharme also had the best game of her young career and Dorka Juhász continued to show why she was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team Selection. We also discuss whether the Huskies will have an All-American this year and where the team’s NCAA Tournament resume currently stands. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

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UConn Hockey Hub: First half review

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 15:15:00 -0000

UConn men's hockey is through the first half of its season with 14 games under its belt. Daniel and Aman break down the highs and lows, the good and bad, and hand out some awards along the way. We also look ahead to the second half of the year and debate whether or not our expectations for this team have changed. To listen to the UConn Hockey Hub Podcast every week – along with in-depth coverage of the team you can't get anywhere else – subscribe to the UConn Hockey Hub at https://www.patreon.com/uconnhockeyhub.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn adjusting to life without Paige Bueckers

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 18:03:40 -0000

If Saturday’s win over UCLA was any indication, UConn women’s basketball is beginning to figure out how to play without Paige Bueckers. On this week’s episode, we discuss our takeaways from the Huskies’ last two games, explain how something appeared to click for them in the third quarter against UCLA and what we should expect moving forward. We also look at Mir McLean’s decision to transfer, talk about Paige Bueckers’ knee surgery and preview UConn’s upcoming matchup with Louisville.

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Chasing Perfection: How does UConn cope without Paige Bueckers? (Ep. 49)

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 23:39:04 -0000

UConn women’s basketball will be without Paige Bueckers for the next 6-8 weeks. To make matters worse, the Huskies will also be missing Azzi Fudd, Nika Mühl and Aubrey Griffin due to various injuries and ailments. On this episode, we discuss the impact of Bueckers’ absence, look at who has to step up in her place, make some predictions at how UConn does without its superstar and look ahead to the team’s next couple of games.

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Chasing Perfection: Injuries piling up for UConn (Ep. 48)

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 01:42:13 -0000

UConn women’s basketball will be down two players this weekend with Aubrey Griffin (ankle/back) and Azzi Fudd (foot) both sidelined, leaving the Huskies with a relatively short bench. We discuss the impact of both injuries, the opportunities it presents for the other reserves and why we’re concerned about the two players long-term outlook. After that, we look at UConn’s upcoming matchups with Seton Hall and Notre Dame and talk about what we’d consider a successful weekend. We also get into Fudd and Paige Bueckers’ NIL deals, Saylor Poffenbarger’s new home and more.

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Chasing Perfection: Does UConn's loss to South Carolina change anything? (Ep. 47)

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 20:25:58 -0000

UConn women’s basketball came out of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with a 3-1 record following a pair of wins over Minnesota and No. 23 USF before a loss to No. 1 South Carolina. On this week’s episode, we debate how much the defeat changes our perception of the Huskies (spoiler: not much), whether their abysmal rebounding is to blame and mention how they’ll benefit from the loss. We also look at UConn’s closer-than-expected win over USF and explain why it’s not a concern, rate our level of worry with a handful of players and compare this season to last. Finally, we close with the news of KK Arnold’s commitment to the Huskies, evaluate what we know about her as a player and look at how she fits into the program’s future.

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Chasing Perfection: Bueckers dominates, defense disappoints against Arkansas (Ep. 46)

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:56:16 -0000

UConn women’s basketball just began and the Huskies are already down a player. On this episode, we discuss Saylor Poffenbarger’s decision to transfer and the subsequent comments made by her mother about UConn’s academics and lack of social life. After that, we dive into the Huskies’ win over Arkansas by talking about our big takeaways, rating our level of worry with certain aspects of the team so far, debate how quickly the defense can be fixed and preview the upcoming Battle 4 Atlantis tournament and potential matchup with South Carolina. Finally, we close with our reviews of Red (Taylor’s Version).

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Chasing Perfection: Exhibition impressions, season predictions (Ep. 45)

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 17:04:54 -0000

It’s finally here. On Sunday, UConn women’s basketball will take on Arkansas at the XL Center to officially kick off the 2021-22 regular season. That won’t be the first we see of the Huskies, though. This past Sunday, UConn crushed Division II Fort Hays State in an exhibition, giving us our first glimpse of this year’s squad. We discuss our biggest takeaways, look at who impressed (and who didn’t) and try to figure out how much stock we can really put into the performance. After that, we talk recruiting with early signing day on Wednesday. We debate the impact of Kiki Rice’s commitment to UCLA and what we expect out of UConn’s 2022 recruiting class. Finally, we close with our predictions for the season. We guess who will lead the team in a few statistical categories, create impact rankings, forecast the fate of the season and more.

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Chasing Perfection: 2021-22 UConn women’s basketball season preview (Ep. 44)

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:18:09 -0000

The 2021-22 UConn women’s basketball team will take the court for the first time this week. On Sunday, the Huskies will take on Division II Fort Hays State in an exhibition game at Gampel Pavilion, their sole tune-up before the regular season opener on Nov. 14. On this episode, we talk about what we’re most excited to see in that game before getting into our big season preview. We break down the entire roster and attempt to answer some of the biggest questions facing UConn — Will the seniors finally put it all together? Where does Dorka Juhász fit in? Can Paige Bueckers be even better? How much have the returners developed? What can we expect out of the freshmen? We discuss all that and more to get you ready for the new season. Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: The good (and bad) of UConn's depth (Ep. 43)

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:59:18 -0000

We’re almost two weeks away from UConn women’s basketball’s first game against Arkansas. Preseason awards and honors are being handed out, watch lists are being released left and right we’re getting closer to the start of the new year. On this week’s episode, we break down all of that as well as the initial AP Poll, ESPN’s 2022 recruiting class rankings and more. We also discuss everything we’ve learned about the Huskies from First Night and Big East Media Day, try to figure out how the rotation will pan out and make a couple early predictions. Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Preseason begins (Ep. 42)

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 17:09:11 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is officially practicing which means the 2021-22 season is creeping closer and closer. On this week’s episode, we discuss the Huskies’ full schedule, which games are the most intriguing, where some of the toughest stretches of the slate are and more. After that, we break down the candidates for UConn’s rotation battle with preseason underway and try to figure out which players will be left out of the mix. Finally, we close with a light preview of First Night but mostly explain why we aren’t that excited for it.

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The UConn Pod: Football is fun?

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 16:43:28 -0000

NOTE: This podcast was recorded before the news of Lou Spanos and four other members of the team testing positive for COVID-19.

On the latest episode of The UConn Pod, Aman, Daniel, and Dan open with a chat about the start of hockey season. The Huskies grabbed a 6-3 win over Sacred Heart to kick-off their highly anticipated (by us, at least) 2021-2022 campaign.

Next, UConn Blog football writer Luke Swanson joins us to get into a deep convo about the enormous leap the Huskies have seemingly made since changing their head coach, and also potentially offensive coordinator? At the very least, offensive analyst Noel Mazzone seems to be making an impact for this team, both in playcalling and talent assessment.

And finally, ahead of the football team’s marquee matchup at UMass, we have an interview with Twitter user @CurryHicksSage, who has a podcast that focuses on Minutemen sports. We discussed: Life as an independent, struggles in tackle football, and best places to eat in Amherst.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Summer, schedules and surgeries (Ep. 41)

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 22:52:38 -0000

With summer coming to a close, it’s time to begin looking ahead to basketball season. On this episode, we discuss UConn’s non-conference schedule, Christyn Williams’ elbow surgery and preview the WNBA playoffs.

We also talk about why the Huskies need some throwback uniforms, Baylor women’s basketball joining the 21st century by dropping the Lady from “Lady Bears” and more.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Debating UConn's non-conference schedule (Ep. 40)

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:37:25 -0000

Chasing Perfection is back from a short summer break and we return with...very little to talk about. We discuss the Never Forget Tribute Classic matchup between UConn and UCLA in Newark before getting into a debate about which of the Huskies’ non-conference opponents are the most exciting.

After that, we talk about whether or not Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart are locks for the Hall of Fame, wonder if COVID could have more of an affect on the results of this season and share a story about the time Christyn Williams chased a ball into the stands in the NCAA Tournament.

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The UConn Pod: Football Therapy - Part II

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 14:15:38 -0000

Last week, after UConn lost 45-0 to Fresno State to open the season, The UConn Pod wondered out loud if things were as bad as 2019 or if the Huskies still had a chance to reach some sort of success this year.

This week, head coach Randy Edsall is out after a disastrous, embarrassing loss to Holy Cross, an FCS school that should never be beating UConn at football. The last time UConn as an FBS program lost to an FCS school was against Towson in 2013. On both occasions, it became apparent the Huskies needed a new leader.

So UConn is forging ahead with a coaching search while defensive coordinator Lou Spanos serves as interim head coach. The Huskies will need to find a way to salvage some sort of respectability this season, which is still possible given some of the future opponents on the schedule.

On this week’s podcast, Aman, Dan, and Daniel discuss the disappointment of this young season, review the past four years of the Randy Edsall Experience, and also what Edsall’s legacy may be as possibly the best and worst coach in program history.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Football therapy

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:52:44 -0000

This week on The UConn Pod, Aman and the editors Dan discuss the start of fall sports, including solid starts for men’s and women’s soccer... and much less of a solid start for football.

We reviewed the Huskies’ performance against Fresno State and how it affects our expectations for the season. Also, looking down the schedule, we discussed the potential outcomes for the Holy Cross, Purdue, and Army games and how much we’ll know about this UConn team by then.

Though it was a frustrating watch Saturday, it was therapeutic to talk about it, hoping it has the same effect for you!

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The UConn Pod: A very large football preview

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 13:59:00 -0000

On the latest episode of The UConn Pod, Aman, Madigan, and Luke Swanson discuss the upcoming football season, from predictions about the starting quarterback situation through all the position groups and a robust discussion of the schedule and expectations for this season.

This is going to be an interesting year, certainly at the start. Our hope is that it stays that way throughout the season.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Soccer & football on the horizon

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:53:46 -0000

We had A LOT to talk about on this latest episode of The UConn Pod.

James Bouknight got drafted. Alex Karaban committed. Kemba Walker is a Knick.

Aman, Dan, and Daniel also paid their respects to Jonathan XIII, the Huskies’ former live mascot who died earlier this week. We also discuss the Huskies in the Olympics, which we’ve been updating you on every day on this site, and what to expect from men’s and women’s soccer and football this upcoming season.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: UConn’s 2021-22 season start date locked in (Ep. 39)

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:03:54 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s 2021-22 season officially has a start date.

On this week’s episode, we discuss the Huskies’ season opener against Arkansas on Nov. 14, the Battle 4 Atlantis matchups and why a second UConn-South Carolina meeting would be so valuable for both squads.

After that, we get into the Olympics, first breaking down Stef Dolson’s gold medal with USA 3x3 before talking about Canada’s early exit, Gabby Williams being Gabby Williams and Team USA’s outlook for the group stage.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Talking Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Maya Moore with ESPN’s Katie Barnes (Ep. 38)

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 11:14:11 -0000

This week, ESPN’s Katie Barnes joins the show to talk about their three UConn-centric pieces — Can this one super-prospect revive the greatest dynasty in sports? on Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd is unbreakable detailing Fudd’s recovery from a torn ACL and MCL along with Inside WNBA legend Maya Moore’s extraordinary quest for justice.

Barnes talked about how they went about writing each story and also shared some nuggets from each such as what Fudd is like away from the cameras, the toll that the Jonathan Irons’ case took on Moore and her family and how their story on Bueckers helped set the scene for her unprecedented freshman season.

After that, Barnes also shared their thoughts on this year’s UConn team, if Bueckers can revive the greatest dynasty in sports and also debated the best teams and players in the Huskies’ history.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn’s summer session impressions (Ep. 37)

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 17:18:52 -0000

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for UConn women’s basketball.

We discuss the Huskies’ game with Georgia Tech, their extended series with South Carolina and their new home-and-home with NC State. We also mention the five current and former UConn players heading to Tokyo for the Olympics alongside the five who made the US squad.

After that, we also look at how NIL will impact college sports and talk about which UConn players are set to benefit the most from it.

We’ve also heard from Geno Auriemma and all the players about the summer session, giving us of new information about this year’s squad. We dive into the good, the bad and everything in between from one month of workouts while also making some very light predictions about the upcoming season.

In other news, we launched a new USWNT podcast: Rose, White & Blue. Click here to subscribe!

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Donovan Clingan Overdrive

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 02:27:13 -0000

UConn head coach Dan Hurley and his staff received some good news Friday night with the commitment of Donovan Clingan, a 7-foot-1 center and a four-star, in-state talent from Bristol Central High School. Clingan was recently named Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and chose UConn over offers from Syracuse, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others.

Aman, Dan, and Daniel discuss the hugeness of this pickup, what kind of team will be around Clingan in Storrs, and the overall success of Hurley and the coaching staff’s recruiting efforts.

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Chasing Perfection: Yes, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi still deserve to be on the US Olympic Team (Ep. 36)

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:13:04 -0000

The USA Olympic roster is out for women’s basketball and as expected, there are plenty of former UConn stars on the team.

On this episode, we discuss whether or not we were surprised by Napheesa Collier’s inclusion, explain why Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi still deserve to be on the team (and why any arguments against their selection are ridiculous) and also talk about USA Basketball being accused of having a pro-UConn bias.

After that, we look at Aaliyah Edwards’ eye-opening performance in the AmeriCup with Team Canada this past week and try to figure out how that could translate to her sophomore season at UConn.

Finally, we wrap up with some predictions about which Huskies will be Team USA during the 2024 Olympics.

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The UConn Pod: Changes on the Horizon

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 15:52:44 -0000

This week on The UConn Pod Aman, Dan, and Daniel get into a wide range of topics as we approach the beginning of the offseason.

While recruiting is picking up for most sports, we did get to chat about the end of baseball season and where expectations are for next year. After that, we dove into the latest updates from UConn men’s basketball including the “45:07” message Dan Hurley is using to keep his team motivated.

Next, we discuss the expansion of the College Football Playoff, and how UConn fans really shouldn’t be worrying too much about that. We then start to re-acclimate ourselves with the football team, looking at returning players, the fall 2021 schedule, and celebrating that The Rent will be open at full capacity.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Why UConn-Tennessee still matters (Ep. 35)

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 15:58:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s non-conference schedule is beginning to come together with the school announcing two more opponents for next season: Louisville and Tennessee.

We start with the long-awaited matchup with the Cardinals, recapping the road it took to finally get this game and discussing why we’re excited about it. We also look at the intriguing point guard matchup between UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Louisville’s Hailey Van Lith.

After that, we get into the renewal of the Tennessee series, something we weren’t necessarily expecting based on Geno Auriemma’s comments after the most recent game. Though it may not be the rivalry that it was in the late ‘90s and early 2000’s, we explain why UConn-Tennessee is still so important to women’s college basketball.

Finally, we break down the big storylines surrounding former Huskies in the WNBA including Diana Taurasi’s fractured sternum, Kia Nurse’s incredible buzzer-beater, Stewie being Stewie, Tina Charles dominating and more.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Mostly offseason with a little bit of baseball

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 17:24:13 -0000

The UConn Pod is back!

In the offseason return of our podcast, Aman, Dan, and Daniel discuss the groundbreaking of the new hockey arena and if it will have enough seats. They also chat about the epic season Jim Penders’ UConn baseball squad is having and how fun this team is to watch.

Next up, a hearty conversation on the latest with UConn men’s hoops, including a new assistant coach, the announcements of Tyler Polley and Isaiah Whaley’s return, and what the starting lineup might look like next year.

Finally, we get into some football developments, including the rock-solid scheduling effort and the fact that the Huskies will be playing after taking a season off.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Way-too-early predictions for next season (Ep. 34)

Thu, 27 May 2021 12:32:00 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s 2021-22 season will officially kick off this weekend when the team returns to campus for the start of summer workouts. With that, we make some way-too-early predictions about next year’s starting lineup, rotation and more to see how much our thoughts change by the preseason.

We also discuss Geno Auriemma’s contract extension and what it means for his future, how Piath Gabriel’s recent surgery will impact her development this summer and why a few players on the roster might need to be patient.

Finally, we close up by talking about Morgan Tuck’s new role with the Connecticut Sun, Breanna Stewart’s signature shoe and Anna Makurat’s new team. We also go off the rails about the US Women’s National Soccer Team’s upcoming games at Rentschler Field in East Hartford and why Connecticut needs an NWSL team.

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Chasing Perfection: UConn in the WNBA preview (Ep. 33)

Wed, 12 May 2021 17:01:56 -0000

The WNBA season is finally upon us and as always, former UConn stars will be front and center.

We preview all the former Huskies in the league, discussing whether or not anyone can stop Breanna Stewart, if Sue Bird’s legacy is bigger in the WNBA than at UConn, how Diana Taurasi is the entire Phoenix Mercury franchise, title aspirations for Napheesa Collier, Crystal Dangerfield and the Minnesota Lynx, if a change of scenery will help Kia Nurse, Megan Walker and Katie Lou Samuelson along with much more.

We also dive into the news of Paige Bueckers’ ankle surgery, talk about UConn’s new director of sports performance and shoutout Tamika Williams-Jeter’s new job as head coach of Wittenberg University.

Finally, we close the show with the moose spotted on UConn’s campus, have a review of the Geno Oreomma ice cream flavor and hit on a few major stories from around the sport.

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Chasing Perfection: Mailbag edition (Ep. 32)

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 21:23:07 -0000

UConn fans really want to know how Geno Auriemma and his staff will find enough playing time for everyone next season. On this week’s episode, we answered questions from listeners about what the team’s starting lineup and rotation might look like next season, to how the Huskies’ non-conference schedule will shake out with all the cancelations and everything in between.

Before the Q&A, we discussed UConn hiring Morgan Valley as its newest assistant coach, Shea Ralph’s staff at Vanderbilt, Kim Mulkey leaving Baylor for LSU and Autumn Chassion’s decision to transfer. We also celebrated the re-opening of the UConn Dairy Bar and talked about some of our favorite foods in and around Storrs.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: UConn WBB season in review (Ep. 31)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:10:00 -0000

On this week’s episode, we finally put UConn’s 2020-21 season to rest. We dive into the good and the bad from the Huskies and break down the roster play-by-player, where we look at both their previous campaign and discuss what to expect out of them next year.

Before we get into that, we first talk about Shea Ralph’s departure to Vanderbilt and how UConn can replace her (note: we recorded before the Huskies officially hired Morgan Valley as the new assistant). We also mention Breanna Stewart’s latest championship and touch on which former UConn players performed the best in the EuroLeague this season.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Geno trying to make UConn bad for basketball again (Ep. 30)

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 18:18:45 -0000

After five years without a national championship, Geno Auriemma appears to be trying to make UConn bad for basketball again. With the addition of Ohio State grad transfer Dorka Juhász, the Huskies are projected to have loaded roster next season.

On this week’s episode, we broke down the addition of Juhász and examine what it means for the frontcourt. We then look ahead to next year and explain why — if all goes right — it could be one of UConn’s best teams ever.

After that, we discuss Shea Ralph’s departure to Vanderbilt and what that ultimate means for the Huskies. We also talk about Anna Makurat’s decision to go pro in Europe and Caroline Doty joining Marisa Moseley’s staff at Wisconsin.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Coping with loss (Ep. 29)

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:58:44 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s season is officially over after the Huskies were sent home by Arizona in the Final Four. We break down what went wrong in the loss and explain why we ultimately weren’t that surprised by the result.

After that, we look at Evina Westbrook’s return and what that means for UConn next season. We also lament Anna Makurat’s decision to transfer but talk about why we aren’t that surprised by it. Finally, we wrap up by listing of all the awards Paige Bueckers claimed this season and argue that she had the greatest freshman season in program history — even without the national championship.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Final Four bound (Ep. 28)

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:45:08 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is once again heading to the Final Four and we’re here to break it all down.

We lead off the show with Elite Eight thriller against Baylor and explain why the Bears have nothing to complain about with the no-call at the end. Then, we recap the game and run through our thoughts and emotions at certain times throughout.

After that, we get into the win over Iowa and talk about how Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark didn’t necessarily live up to the type thanks to Aaliyah Edwards, Evina Westbrook and Christyn Williams.

Lastly, we preview the Huskies’ Final Four matchup with Arizona and Aari McDonald.

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The UConn Pod: MBB season wrap, WBB rolls on

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:32:00 -0000

On this episode of the pod, Aman, Dan, and Daniel open by making fun of Syracuse for running a 2-3 zone on their women’s team in addition to its men’s team.

After that, we breakdown of the vaunted Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark matchup and address the ongoing argument of who is better.

Next, we get into men’s hoops. Dan Hurley’s squad ended the season with two disappointing losses, but it was still a year of positive growth for the program under uniquely challenging circumstances.

What does the future hold for this team? The transfer market will be hot and we already know two players with eligibility are leaving the team, could there be more?

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark (Ep. 27)

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 03:03:18 -0000

The matchup we’ve all been waiting for is here: Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark.

But before we get UConn-Iowa in the Sweet Sixteen, we break down the good and the bad from the Huskies’ first two NCAA Tournament games. We look at the dominant play of Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards, Paige Bueckers’ quiet greatness and Aubrey Griffin’s impact.

After that, we dive into the battle between the freshmen phenoms, examine how UConn could slow Clark down and discuss Iowa’s team as a whole. We then quickly preview the potential Elite Eight matchup against Baylor.

Finally, we wrap up with the news of Bueckers becoming an AP All-American and Ayanna Patterson’s commitment.

30 minutes before each of UConn’s NCAA Tournament games, tune into the Chasing Perfection Pregame Show on YouTube or Twitter.

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The UConn Pod: 2021 NCAA Tournament Preview

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:56:21 -0000

On this episode of The UConn Pod, Aman and the Editors Dan are joined by men’s basketball writer Patrick Martin as we turn our attention to the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament.

It feels great to have both UConn hoops teams thriving as we approach the start of the Big Dance. For the men’s team, we break down the end of the Big East Tournament and the upcoming matchup with Maryland... some of us are more confident than others. We also remember previous tournament teams from this decade and discuss how this year’s team compares.

On the women’s team, the fact that they’ll be missing two coaches dominated the conversation. The Huskies have two greats in Chris Dailey and Jamelle Elliott, but those two will have their hands full managing the team on their own early in the tournament.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: NCAA Tournament predictions (Ep. 26)

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 20:03:21 -0000

It’s officially NCAA Tournament time. On Sunday, UConn women’s basketball kicks off the most important part of the season with a first round matchup against 16-seed High Point.

But before we dive into all of that, we discuss Geno Auriemma’s positive COVID-19 test, our reactions to the news and what it means for the team.

After that, we break down the NCAA Tournament bracket region by region and look at some of the most intriguing matchups in the field. We also get into our own bracket picks and reveal whether or not we think UConn will win the national championship. Then, we make some more predictions for the tournament.

Finally, we close with the news of Morgan Tuck’s retirement and talk about how that relates to a current member of UConn’s roster.

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Chasing Perfection: Peaking at the right time (Ep. 25)

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 22:34:10 -0000

New boss, same as the old boss.

UConn women’s basketball ripped through the Big East Tournament with three dominant victories this past weekend to earn its eighth conference tournament title in a row and its first back in the Big East.

On this week’s episode, we break down each game and discuss our takeaways from the tournament as a whole. After that, we talk about the yearly Big East awards and debate if any Huskies were snubbed. We close with a bracketology segment, where Megan, our resident bracketologist, reveals her top 16 seeds for NCAA Tournament.

You’ll want to listen to the end, too.

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The UConn Pod: Breakthroughs in basketball and hockey

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:55:11 -0000

On this episode of The UConn Pod: the postseason for winter sports is upon us, and the vibes are great for men’s hockey, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball (welcome back, we missed you).

We’re also joined by The UConn Blog’s baseball correspondent Luke Swanson to discuss the start of college baseball season, how the Huskies are doing thus far, and which players have stood out through the first 10 games.

Aman also ate a turkey leg during the recording of this pod. He has no regrets.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Regular season wrap-up (Ep. 24)

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 16:11:48 -0000

This. Is. March.

UConn women’s basketball’s regular season is over and the most important time of the year has finally arrived. On this week’s episode, we put a bow on the Huskies’ last three games and look at where the team has come from its ugly win over UMass Lowell in December to now.

After that, we preview the Big East Tournament and debate whether or not UConn should even participate in it. We also discuss the news that Texas will open completely and remove its mask mandate and examine the consequences that could have for the NCAA Tournament.

Finally, we break down the list of the top 50 women’s basketball teams of all-time according to Slam and SB Nation and explain why the Huskies’ greatness is too often taken for granted.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Which Nika Mühl are you? (Ep. 23)

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:41:15 -0000

By this time next week, UConn women’s basketball’s regular season will be over.

With that realization, we break down the Huskies’ strong start to their NCAA Tournament preparation, Christyn Williams’ surprising defensive effort and recent turnaround, Saylor Poffenbarger’s improvement and Paige Bueckers’ ankle.

After that, we look at the dates for the Big East and NCAA Tournament and discuss how UConn has all but locked up the No. 1 overall seed. We close by talking about how Aaliyah Edwards is even more impressive than we previously thought, explain that the Mississippi River is not near Philadelphia and Boston isn’t a state in New England and answer the all-important question: Which Nika Mühl are you?

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The UConn Pod: The Bouk is back

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 16:31:27 -0000

On this episode of The UConn Pod, Aman and the Dan’s discuss men’s soccer’s season-opening win over Sacred Heart and break down UConn baseball’s first season in the Big East. The crew also breaks down freshman phenom Paige Bueckers’ impact on the No. 1 Huskies and how Geno Auriemma has once again laid the groundwork for another few years of championship contention.

Lastly, we get into James Bouknight’s electric return to the court that helped power UConn men’s basketball over Providence on Tuesday. With Bouknight back and healthy, we discussed what his return means to the improving talents of RJ Cole and Tyrese Martin and what the ceiling now looks like with one of the best players in the country back in the rotation.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: UConn gearing up for final stretch before March (Ep. 22)

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:22:59 -0000

This week on Chasing Perfection, we recap UConn’s wins over Seton Hall and Georgetown and also examine Christyn Williams’ recent struggles.

After that, we talk about Paige Bueckers making more history as a freshman and predict how much UConn will be represented with postseason accolades at both the conference and national level.

We also break down the NCAA’s bracket reveal with the Huskies as the No. 1 overall seed, which devolves into a conversation about why Tampa sucks as a Final Four host and which futures sites we’re looking forward to the most.

Enjoy! #CancelTampa2025

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Special edition: UConn men's hockey finally breaking through

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:05:01 -0000

Welcome to this sneak peek of the UConn Hockey Hub Podcast, a weekly podcast covering UConn men’s hockey and the only place for dedicated coverage of the hockey program.

In this episode, we break down the Huskies’ win over No. 14 Northeastern and their loss to UMass Lowell. We touch on UConn being nationally ranked for the first time in program history and the implications of Hockey East’s format change for the postseason.

After that, we preview the upcoming series against Providence and explain why it’ll likely prove to be a turning point in the season — one way or another.

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Chasing Perfection: The Bueckers Bounce (Ep. 21)

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 16:53:22 -0000

For the first time this season, UConn women’s basketball played a top-ranked opponent and it sure didn’t disappoint.

First, we give our immediate post-game reactions to UConn’s overtime win over South Carolina, break down another phenomenal performance by Bueckers and talk about her incredible game-clinching 3-pointer.

After that, we discuss Dawn Staley’s ridiculous postgame comment about how playing with a Nike ball vs. a Wilson ball affected South Carolina’s guards. We also wonder about Evina Westbrook’s status and examine how UConn’s junior class played on Monday as well.

We also get into why the FS1 ratings for the game weren’t a surprise and how Bueckers is starting to become a household name for people who aren’t even fans of women’s basketball.

Next, we look back at the win over Marquette and examine how it proved to be a good dress rehearsal for the Huskies’ win over South Carolina. We close by comparing the Big East to the AAC while previewing UConn’s upcoming games against Seton Hall and Georgetown.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: The freshmen take over

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 05:08:00 -0000

Chasing Perfection is back with no shortage of basketball to discuss.

First, we break down UConn women’s basketball’s loss to Arkansas, discuss what went wrong and look for positives. After that, we move onto the Huskies’ win over DePaul where we talk about the first-ever women’s basketball broadcast on Fox, Christyn Williams’ statement performance as well as career bests from Paige Bueckers and Evina Westbrook.

We then get into all the injuries striking the team and try to sort out our level of concern for each one. With that, we evaluate the performance of the freshmen against St. John’s and take a close look at Paige Bueckers — who we discover is having one of the best seasons in program history.

Finally, we wrap up by previewing UConn’s upcoming games against Marquette and South Carolina.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: UConn’s SEC tour continues

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:31:07 -0000

For the first time in a while, we have a lot of basketball to talk about on Chasing Perfection.

We open with UConn’s win over Tennessee and break down the performances of Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Christyn Williams, Evina Westbrook and Paige Bueckers. We also explain why we think it’s important for the series to continue, even if the rivalry will never be the same.

After that, we get into the injuries plaguing the Huskies with both Bueckers and Makurat sidelined. We also talk about the Georgetown win and debate our level of concern with the offense.

Then, we preview UConn’s upcoming matchup against No. 19 Arkansas and discuss Saylor Poffenbarger’s eligibility.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: (Almost) every Husky sport imaginable

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:40:00 -0000

On this episode of The UConn Pod, we discussed a lot of different UConn teams and also a few matters of importance in the NBA and MLB. Also, did you know UConn has two football players in the Super Bowl? #Power

We started with the men’s basketball team and its disappointing losses to St. John’s and Creighton. After that, we got into the Huskies in the NBA including the return of Kemba Walker.

Switching sports but staying in the pros, we get into George Springer’s massive contract with the Toronto Blue Jays before discussing UConn baseball’s loaded non-conference schedule this season. We then dig into the newly-released Big East slates for both the men’s and women’s soccer teams.

Finally, we throw some cold water on the notion that UConn men’s hockey should be ranked and wrap with Paige Buckets’ big moment in the women’s basketball team’s big win over Tennessee.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Evina Westbrook Week (Ep. 18)

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:19:45 -0000

This episode of Chasing Perfection is our hottest one yet. We open the show by doing the Hot Sauce Challenge, which has been raising money for the Husky Ticket Project.

After we recover, we get into the news that Saylor Poffenbarger will join the team earlier than expected and try to figure out how much of an impact, if any, she’ll have this season.

Next, we break down UConn's blowout win over Butler. We discuss Aubrey Griffin’s first career start, bounce-back performances from Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Evina Westbrook’s continued progress.

Finally, we preview the Huskies’ matchup with Tennessee on Thursday. We look at the significance of the matchup, both for this year’s UConn team and in the context of the rivalry and also debate whether or not the series should continue after this year.

We close out the show with the best of Geno from the last two weeks.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Providence and postponements

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 03:51:05 -0000

Despite UConn women’s basketball only playing one game this past week, we had plenty to talk about on the latest episode of Chasing Perfection.

First, we get into the Huskies’ brutal schedule luck recently with two more games postponed due to issues outside their own control. We look at whether or not the Big East should adjust its format (spoiler alert: it should) and explain why things are only going to keep getting worse.

After all that, we discuss 2022 No. 1 prospect Lauren Betts’ commitment to Stanford and if the Cardinal’s recent run of recruiting success can rival UConn’s combo of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd over the next few seasons.

Finally, we get into the Huskies’ win over Providence, where we break down Aubrey Griffin’s breakout performance, the new starting lineup, the disappoint effort from both the Huskies’ true juniors and more!

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The UConn Pod: Javonte Brown leaving, COVID craziness and men’s basketball’s big wins

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 18:13:00 -0000

The UConn Pod is back with the first episode of 2021! Editors Dan Connolly and Dan Madigan kick things off with the breaking news of Javonte Brown’s decision to enter the transfer portal.

After that, the Dans discuss the cancellation of the women’s basketball team’s game at Baylor, the men’s hockey team pausing due to a positive COVID test, and spring updates from some of the fall sports teams.

Plus, Connolly and Madigan break down the men’s basketball team’s wins over DePaul and Marquette and discuss some strong individual performances from James Bouknight, Tyrese Martin, Tyler Polley and Isaiah Whaley. We also break down what Akok Akok’s eventual return means as the Huskies go deeper into Big East play.

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Chasing Perfection: Baylor canceled, best bigs in UConn history (Ep. 16)

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 05:39:51 -0000

On this episode of Chasing Perfection, we dive into the news of UConn-Baylor getting canceled and look at the implications for the Huskies in both the short term and in the context of the NCAA Tournament. Then, we get into Geno Auriemma’s gushing comments about Paige Bueckers and dismiss anyone who doesn’t think she’s the best freshman in the country.

After that, with no games to talk about since our last episode, we debate who the top 10 post players are in UConn’s history and try to figure out whether Breanna Stewart fits into that category or not.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Ending 2020 on a high note (Ep. 15)

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:56:44 -0000

On the final episode of Chasing Perfection in 2020, we dive deep into UConn women’s basketball’s win over DePaul.

We go over the Huskies’ defensive performance despite all the criticism from Geno Auriemma and also look at how the team is transforming the way it plays around Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards. We also discuss our disappointment with Christyn Williams’ performance despite the solid numbers and contrast her development with Nelson-Ododa’s.

After that, we get into the team’s three-point shooting and try to figure out if it can improve and how. We focus in Anna Makurat to dissect her struggles so far this year. During that segment, we also predict whether or not Auriemma will make a lineup change if Edwards and Makurat keep trending in opposite directions.

Finally, we wrap up with some schedule talk and wonder why it’s so difficult for UConn to find an opponent for this weekend.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: First impressions (Ep. 14)

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:59:36 -0000

It’s a Christmas edition of Chasing Perfection! On this week’s episode, we first talk about UConn women’s basketball’s newly-unveiled full schedule, the minor nagging injuries that’ve hit the team and some interesting news about a former Husky.

Then, we break down UConn’s last three games, discuss what we’ve learned about the team over the course of these first five games and what we’re looking forward to with some better challenges on the way.

After that, we sort through which players have impressed so far and which have underwhelmed before we create a Christmas list for the Huskies.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Hoop Dreams

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 22:41:33 -0000

On the latest episode of The UConn Pod, Aman and the editors Dan talk about their highlights from the first four games of women’s basketball season, how hockey season is shaping up, as well as some updates from the football program. We also discuss the first men’s basketball game in 17 days and how you’re a fool for hating on R.J. Cole.

We also had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Solomon from the Husky Ticket Project. They’re a really great nonprofit that brings youth groups to UConn games and introduces them to the majesty of Husky sports! Husky Ticket Project is now one of the organizations you can donate to through Amazon Smile, which makes a small donation at no extra charge to you for every purchase you make on Amazon.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: The Paige Bueckers Show (Ep. 13)

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 05:05:27 -0000

We finally have basketball to talk about on Chasing Perfection! UConn women’s basketball opened its season with wins over UMass Lowell and Seton Hall, giving us plenty to talk about on this week’s show.

We open with Paige Bueckers’ incredible start and struggle to find words to describe just how good she’s been. Then, we get into each of the freshmen, evaluate their play and project their growth over the course of the season.

After that, we look at the returning players and explain why they’ve mostly disappointed us and what more they need to do. Finally, we take a look at the team as a whole and look ahead to the Huskies’ next game against Creighton.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Forecasting the season (Ep. 12)

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 04:37:09 -0000

If all goes well, UConn women’s basketball is just two days away from its first game.

On this episode of Chasing Perfection, we talk about the new season opener against UMass Lowell, the Huskies’ earlier-than-expected return to practice and the good news that came from SNY for UConn fans.

After catching up on the news, we make our official season predictions. We debate who starts, what the rotation looks like, and which players will perform the best. Then, we get into a rapid-fire session answering who we think will lead the Huskies in scoring, rebounding and assists, which player will be the team MVP, how far we think they’ll go and more.

Finally, we close with No. 1 South Carolina’s loss to NC State.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: We’re hoopin’

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 14:30:05 -0000

In the latest episode of The UConn Pod, the crew discusses their highlights from UConn men’s basketball’s first two games. We also caught up with former Husky Jonathan Mandeldove to discuss the big men on this year’s team and what the mindset is like for teams at this point in the season.

Later on, we preview the USC game and also discuss the start to hockey season. UConn men’s hockey started off 0-1-1 against UMass and is looking ahead to a weekend series against BU.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Playing the waiting game (Ep. 11)

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 23:07:00 -0000

On the last episode of Chasing Perfection, the news of UConn women’s basketball shutdown due to a positive COVID test broke while we were recording the show. Luckily, this week’s episode was far less chaotic.

We dove further into what the 14-day quarantine means for the Huskies and discuss what Geno Auriemma said during his Zoom call with reporters. We also try to figure out what college basketball’s plan is going forward since the current model clearly isn’t working.

After that, we look at the implications of the shut down on UConn’s schedule and explain how that will drastically change the outlook of the season early on.

Then, we move onto news that former Husky Andra Espinoza-Hunter will transfer to Seton Hall and also celebrate Batouly Camara’s inclusion on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for sports figures.

Finally, we wrap by making fun of Notre Dame for losing to Ohio, look at other scores across the country and sort through the disastrous start to the college basketball season.

Enjoy!

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Emergency Chasing Perfection: UConn shut down due to positive COVID test

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 02:49:00 -0000

In the middle of recording what we thought would be our preseason predictions episode of Chasing Perfection, we received news that UConn women's basketball shut down for 14 days after a member of the program tested positive for COVID.

Because of that, the Huskies will not play their first four games as scheduled. We give our immediate and unfiltered reactions to the news and try to make sense of what it all means.

We also kept the beginning of our predictions podcast in for anyone who wants to hear our thoughts on the team before the news broke.

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Chasing Perfection: The offseason is almost over

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 05:50:00 -0000

We’re just over a week out from UConn women’s basketball’s first game on Nov. 28 against Quinnipiac and we couldn’t be more excited. We get into all that and more on this week’s episode of Chasing Perfection.

First, we recap Geno Auriemma’s Zoom call with reporters after signing day, discuss his vision for the roster, continue to build up the hype for Azzi Fudd and wrap up our thoughts on the 2021 signees.

Following that, we break down some of the less talked about freshmen on this year’s team and try to figure out just how much the newcomers will factor into the Huskies’ rotation early in the season.

Finally, we explain why it’s so important for UConn to (safely) pull off a basketball season this year.

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Chasing Perfection: Azzi Fudd is coming to UConn

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 23:11:12 -0000

UConn women’s basketball is going to be a lot of fun for the next few seasons. On Wednesday, the Huskies landed Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 player in the class of 2021.

On this week’s show, we give our immediate reactions to her commitment and make some bold predictions as well. With a nearly unprecedented recruiting haul for Geno Auriemma and his staff in the last two years, we also take stock of the roster and try to figure out how all the minutes will be divided up over the next few seasons. We then break down UConn’s new signees and also look ahead to the class of 2022.

Finally, we wrap up by discussing the AP preseason top 25, which Huskies made the various award watch lists and more.

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Chasing Perfection: 30 years of UConn stories with Meghan Pattyson Culmo (Ep. 7)

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:40:00 -0000

Welcome back to Chasing Perfection! We’re recording once a week now in the lead-up to the season — which is now less than a month away.

To start, we catch up on the Huskies’ schedule, both in the Big East and out of conference, and explain why early season results should be taken with a grain of salt. We also react to the news that fans won’t be allowed into Gampel Pavilion this season and discuss what we want to see from TV broadcasts as a result. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention Sue Bird’s engagement to Megan Rapinoe.

We also have our first guest on the show: Meghan (Pattyson) Culmo. She talks about how she ended up at UConn, the impact of the Huskies’ first Final Four team in 1991, her time coaching on Geno Auriemma’s staff, her move into broadcasting and much more.

Culmo also shared some incredible stories from her 30+ years around the program, including one that’ll make sure you never look at squirrels in the road the same.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: Media Day Madness (Ep. 6)

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:35:01 -0000

The Big East held its women’s basketball media day virtually on Thursday, giving us plenty to talk about on this episode. But to open, we announce some exciting news about the future of the show and tease a guest for next episode.

We then jump into UConn’s non-conference opponents (which were released right after our last episode) and the poll, awards, and all the other news that came out of media day. We also play a few of our favorite sound bytes.

After that, we get into Geno Auriemma’s breakdown of the Huskies' roster, starting with the juniors. We know that Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Christyn Williams are going to dominate this season but we explain why we’re starting to get nervous about Evina Westbrook. We also dive deep into the sophomore class of Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat and try to predict what each player’s potential is.

Finally, we wrap up by going through Auriemma’s own freshman impact rankings and declare that Paige Bueckers is going to have a really good season — not just a good season for a freshman.

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Chasing Perfection: A new season dawns (Ep. 5)

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 19:14:45 -0000

UConn women’s basketball’s 2020-21 season is underway as the Huskies held their first official practice on Wednesday. We recap Geno Auriemma’s Zoom call with the media, discuss the good vibes surrounding this team and update our freshmen impact rankings. After that, we review UConn’s new uniforms.

We then try to sort out the Huskies’ schedule, tell you why we aren’t torn up about losing Notre Dame this season and explain that the XL Center isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be. We also complain about Tampa hosting another Final Four in 2025 and lament the NCAA’s decision to hold the NCAA Tournament regionals in some bizarre cities over the next few seasons.

Moving on, we get into the recent Azzi Fudd news, discuss her commitment timeline, try to make sense of her final two schools and figure out what it all means for UConn. We also touch on the news that all winter athletes will get an extra year of eligibility and listen to Geno’s take on the matter.

Finally, we wrap up with some WNBA talk and celebrate Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart’s championship with the Seattle Storm.

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Chasing Perfection: Fire up the Paige Bueckers hype train (Ep. 4)

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 13:37:21 -0000

On this week's episode of Chasing Perfection, we finally have some team news to talk about. We recap UConn's recent availability where Geno Auriemma revealed new info about UConn's schedule. We then get into Christyn Williams' evaluation of the freshmen and why we're more excited than before for Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards.

After that, we jump into ESPN's way-to-early rankings which have the Huskies at No. 4 and debate whether that's fair. Then, we talk about the most overrated and underrated teams entering this season and then rank the major programs into tiers.

Finally, we wrap with the WNBA playoffs. We try to figure out what apocalyptic scenario 2020 would need to throw at us to prevent the Seattle Storm from winning the WNBA title, how the Minnesota Lynx are set up well for the future and why the Phoenix Mercury deserved to lose in the first round. After that, we close with a game centered around which players we'd want to build a WNBA team around.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: There will be college basketball (probably)

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:07:08 -0000

In this episode of The UConn Pod, we break down Kemba Walker’s performance in the NBA playoffs and try to figure out why the Celtics aren’t putting the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. After that, we discuss another former UConn star heading to a Boston team and also check in with a couple former Husky soccer players thriving in the pros. We also provide some new info on UConn’s new hockey arena.

We then move on to our favorite topic, UConn football, where we praise the athletic department for sticking with the decision to cancel the season and also look forward to a potential spring game against UMass in the fall.

Then, we wrap up the first part with our reaction to the news of Tyrese Martin’s waiver approval and what we think this upcoming UConn men’s basketball season will look like during the pandemic.

Finally, we have an interview with former UConn men’s basketball player Jonathan Mandeldove, who shares some stories about his time in Storrs, what he’s doing now and how he’ll remember the late Stanley Robinson.

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Chasing Perfection: Basketball is officially back on! (Ep. 3)

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 01:44:42 -0000

On this episode of Chasing Perfection, we bring you the news of NCAA's announced season start date for college basketball as it happens. We discuss the details both released and reported, what a schedule might look like and why UConn needs non-conference play to happen.

After that, we switch gears and put a bow on the WNBA regular season, where Megan gives her league-wide award picks while also deciding the recipients of the first-ever Chasing Perfection WNBA Awards.

Then, we give Maya Moore an award as the only person having a good 2020 after she announced she married to Jonathan Irons on Wednesday.

Finally, we wrap up with predictions for the WNBA playoffs and if we'd rather have Breanna Stewart or Diana Taurasi for do-or-die games.

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The UConn Pod: Business is Booming

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 19:22:26 -0000

Hello friends, we’re back with another episode of The UConn Pod. Normally we’d be talking about football at least a little bit and maybe even some Husky soccer, but unfortunately these are not normal times : (

In this episode, the crew chats men’s basketball recruiting (good), assistant coach departures (not ideal, but handled well), the cancellation of fall season and the retirement of a Husky sports icon.

Enjoy!

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Chasing Perfection: WNBA injuries, giant cookies and prophesies (Ep. 2)

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 02:03:17 -0000

On this episode, Megan and I discuss how the Big East *finally* announced that it’s moving the women’s basketball conference tournament to Mohegan Sun and explain why that’s so important...for the non-basketball reasons. We then take turns trying to guess when another Big East team will get around to beating UConn (hint: Not anytime soon).

Then we get into the WNBA, where a correction is issued about a previous comment and discuss what’s going on with Megan Walker. We also lament the season-ending injuries to Azura Stevens and Bria Hartley, but celebrate Sue Bird’s return to the court and explain to the world why she won’t retire after this season.

After that, we put our Nostradamus hats on and try to guess how much success UConn’s current roster will have in the WNBA, such as how many players get drafted, which one gets picked the highest and who has the best career.

Finally, we wrap it by talking about the possible start date for college basketball and keep our fingers crossed that next episode we’ll actually have something to look forward to.

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Chasing Perfection, Ep. 1: Introducing a brand-new UConn women's basketball podcast

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 13:25:30 -0000

Welcome to Chasing Perfection, a brand-new UConn women’s basketball podcast here at The UConn Blog. Hosted by Daniel Connolly and Megan Gauer, Chasing Perfection will cover everything going on with Geno and the Huskies and bring you a wide variety of guests from across the world of women’s hoops.

In episode one, we discuss UConn’s media day last week — who impressed, who seems primed for a breakout year and how this team already seems to have better vibes compared to last year. We then get into some knee-jerk reactions and make a few way-too-early predictions.

After that, we get into the topic of whether or not the season will start on time (if it happens at all), Geno’s thoughts on the matter, the NCAA’s recent statement and if colleges can actually contain COVID.

Finally, we wrap up with some UConn in the WNBA talk, running through Crystal Dangerfield’s incredible start as a rookie, Napheesa Collier picking up right where she left off last season, if Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and the Seattle Storm can be stopped and Bria Hartley’s emergence.

We hope you enjoy the first episode! Make sure to subscribe, leave a rating and share it with your fellow UConn diehards:

“Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” - Vince Lombardi

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The UConn Pod: Dan Hurley stays hot on the recruiting trail

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:50:56 -0000

It barely took two months of UConn being full-fledged Big East members for Dan Hurley to strike again on the recruiting trail. This past Sunday, Hurley landed coveted 2021 guard Rahsool Diggins, a talented combo guard out of Philadelphia, to kick off his 2021 recruiting class. Just a few months after stealing Adama Sanogo from Seton Hall’s backyard, Hurley made a splash again by prying Diggins away from Villanova. It feels good to be in the mix for talented local recruits again, doesn’t it?

The UConn Pod crew breaks down Diggins’ commitment and chats with Rivals recruiting expert Corey Evans, who also touches on the Huskies’ other 2021 targets and the positive impact of the move to the Big East. Evans also discusses how Hurley and Huskies are doing with in-state center Donovan Clingan, one of the top big men in the class of 2022.

Aside from Diggins’ commitment, the crew discusses the Huskies’ numerous WNBA and NBA alumni in the pros as sports begin to start back up, and Aman and Dan Madigan remember Stanley Robinson and his impact on the UConn program.

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The UConn Pod: Big East Day has arrived

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:19:11 -0000

Folks, the day is finally upon us. On July 1, 2020 UConn joins the Big East and kicks off a new era for the athletic department.

While it was hard to contain our excitement for this move, we had to do at least some due diligence on other news, including the cutting of four varsity sports and a few items concerning women’s hoops. We also snuck some baseball and women’s soccer chatter in there for fun.

The first day of the rest of our lives begins now. Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Fall sports coming into focus (feat. John Robinson IV)

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 16:31:38 -0000

We’re in the fourth month of quarantine but we’ve finally got some good news to talk about. With UConn releasing its initial plan to re-open campus and bring students back, the chances of fall sports happening are looking better and better.

On this episode of the pod, we discuss that plan and the Big East’s decision to move its fall sports to divisions. We also touch on the possibility of sports being eliminated due to the COVID-19 crisis and the effects of the pandemic on the programs that are safe as well.

We then get into women’s basketball, talking about the problem of getting the team’s international players into the country and the news that the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held at Mohegan Sun.

Finally, we wrap up our discussion with football’s positive momentum on the recruiting trail but mourn the loss of the marching band at all sporting events for the rest of 2020. After that, former UConn football player John Robinson IV joins the pod to talk about the recent Black Lives Matter protests and his experience as a black athlete at the school. He also gets into what drew him to UConn as a recruit and what ultimately made him decide to leave the school and transfer elsewhere.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: We're on to the Big East

Mon, 25 May 2020 20:24:04 -0000

After college sports made a sudden shift into off-season mode, the UConn athletic department has shifted its focus to the Big East and making football independence work. Even during this global health crisis, David Benedict and his team are making progress.

Sports may have stopped but there’s plenty going on in the world of Husky athletics, including a new TV deal, basketball recruiting wins, and a lot to look forward to with the move to the Big East. Also, Geno’s doing live shows on Instagram, what a time to be alive!

To help catch us up on what the Big East has been up to over the past seven years, we spoke with Robert O’Neill, manager of Big East Coast Bias, SB Nation’s Big East site. He was kind enough to share his insight on men’s and women’s hoops as well the Big East-Fox television experience, overall league moods and more.

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The UConn Pod: Interview with UConn Men's Hockey Coach Mike Cavanaugh

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 22:52:36 -0000

The UConn Pod is back with a big episode! We have UConn men’s hockey coach Mike Cavanaugh on to talk about the state of the #IceBus, how he didn’t even apply for the UConn job at first, how he got into coaching and more.

We also get into the women’s basketball team’s “turnaround”, Megan Walker’s All-American level play and discuss if the Huskies really belong as the No. 2 team in the country.

After that, we look at all the football transfers and try to find and answer for what that means. We also compare the Randy Edsall Era 2.0 to Bob Diaco and how history seems to be repeating itself in some aspects.

Finally, we talk men’s hoops, UConn’s tough loss at MSG to Indiana but the emergence of Akok Akok.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Reacting to an exciting win over Buffalo

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 15:20:47 -0000

On Thursday night, coming off a big win over No. 15 Florida, the UConn Huskies turned in another impressive performance in a win over Buffalo to open the Charleston Classic. It wasn’t a tremendous statistical performance, but the way the Huskies persevered and had so many underclassmen making big contributions gave us lots of hope for this season and beyond.

On this episode, Aman and Dan Connolly were joined by Patrick Martin to discuss:

The emergence of Brendan Adams
A great debut for James Bouknight
Akok Akok and Josh Carlton combine to be a force down low across the game
A special moment between Dan Hurley and a fan in the post-game press conference
Quick scouting report on Xavier

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Party like it's 2014

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 06:42:00 -0000

On this episode of the pod, we break down UConn men's hockey's big upset over No. 12 UMass Lowell and discuss the women's basketball team turning a corner against Temple (we recorded before the Virginia game).

We then move on to men's basketball and talk about the weird week for Dan Hurley's squad in which the Huskies lost to St. Joseph's but then followed it up with an upset win over No. 15 Florida. We also hit on Javonte Brown-Ferguson's commitment and look at how Hurley's vision of the program for the future is coming into focus.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Woo! Basketball!

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 01:32:50 -0000

Basketball is back!

But before we get into that, we talk about the football team, their win (!!!) over UMass and look at their 2020 schedule.

Then, we discuss the women's basketball opener against Cal, re-calibrate expectations for the season and debate how good the team might be. After that, we move onto men's basketball's opener against Sacred Heart and look at which players stood out to us.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Global warming killed UConn football

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 20:39:12 -0000

After UConn football’s uninspired performance against USF last week, we take a break from talking about the Huskies’ current team to look back at the good old days of UConn football...just kidding we mostly talk about the 2015 season, Bob Diaco’s downfall and The ConFLiCT. We also draw the connection between the Huskies’ downfall and the rise of Global Warming.

We come back to present day to talk with JP Gooderham of Fear the Wave to preview UConn’s upcoming game with Tulane and ask why the AAC has yet to play a basketball tournament in New Orleans.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Quarterback carousel

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:28:24 -0000

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The UConn Pod: Huskies land Andre Jackson

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 21:46:17 -0000

In the latest episode of The UConn Pod, Aman, Dan, and Thomas Fritsch (aka @tcf_15) discuss the Andre Jackson commitment to the UConn Huskies and what it means for Dan Hurley and the future of the program.

We also chat about other targets for the class of 2020 and take a quick look at how things are shaping up for this year’s team as practice is now under way.

We’ll follow this up with a separate podcast segment on the football team and Saturday’s game against USF.

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The UConn Pod: It’s almost basketball season!

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 19:51:13 -0000

This week on The UConn Pod, Aman, Dan Madigan, Dan Connolly, and Megan Gauer discuss the basketball schedules for both Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies squads. With practice getting started this week, the season is just around the corner!

Completely unrelated to our excitement for the start of basketball, we also talked about the disappointing loss to Indiana and previewed UCF with the help of Jeff Sharon, from Black & Gold Banneret, SB Nation’s UCF site.

We end with a segment on T-Pain, an incredible choice for the fall concert by UConn and clearly a multi-generational talent.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: UConn football may be getting better

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 18:45:42 -0000

On this episode of The UConn Pod, the crew discusses a surprising performance for the Husky football team last time out against Illinois and previews the match-up with Indiana. We also chatted about the latest scheduling news (also good) and have updates on hockey recruiting, Huskies in the MLB, and the newest athletic department engagement initiatives.

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The UConn Pod: Fall Sports Are BACK

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:08:33 -0000

The calendar has flipped to September, folks, and that means college soccer and football are in full swing. The UConn Huskies opened football season with a 24-21 win that was better than our worst expectations but fell short of the full-on beatdown we were hoping for against a middling FCS squad. In this week’s pod, we discuss the positives and negatives of the Huskies’ opening performance and preview the Illinois game.

Men’s and women’s soccer are also in action, and we have our first update of the season on Ray Reid and Margaret Rodriguez’s teams at this early point of the season.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Previewing football season & interview with former Husky Carla Berube

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 21:56:45 -0000

In the latest episode of The UConn Pod, we talk about why we’re actually excited for football season and why there are some reasons for optimism heading into Randy Edsall’s third season as head coach. We then get an inside view on the football team and the program’s future from the Manchester Journal Inquirer’s Neill Ostrout.

Next, Howard Megdal interviews newly-named Princeton women’s basketball head coach Carla Berube on her time at UConn, the tides of change in women’s hoops, her experience with Team USA, and then having her relationship with Geno Auriemma go from coach to that of a mentor and peer.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Realignment 2020 and Huskies in the WNBA

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 15:55:55 -0000

On this week's episode of The UConn Pod, we discuss the Huskies' exit fee from the AAC, what it means for football and what David Benedict is saying about it. We also break down the men's basketball team's non-conference schedule before switching gears to women's basketball.

During our women's basketball segment, we're joined by Howard Megdal and Megan Gauer to discuss Napheesa Collier's early dominance of the WNBA, the former UConn stars on the New York Liberty, the rough go of it for Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams in Chicago while also projecting Crystal Dangerfield's WNBA stock.

We also discuss the future of the UConn women's basketball team as Howard explains why Paige Bueckers will eventually be talked about like Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: AAC Exit Strategies

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 14:35:04 -0000

We’ve been learning a little bit more with each passing week following last month’s announcement that UConn would be joining the Big East.

The Huskies are taking 20 of their 24 varsity sports to the Big East Conference, leaving football without a home after the move takes place, because this newfangled Big East doesn’t sponsor football. There’s a strong possibility Husky football hangs out as an FBS independent for a few years, maybe more.

Now that David Benedict and university leadership made the decision to pursue Big East membership, and sealed the deal, they’ll have to carefully navigate the exit from the American. There is also the matter of negotiations with Fox, SNY, and other potential broadcast partners on how to create a better football and basketball experience for UConn fans.

In this podcast, the crew discusses how UConn can approach these conversations, the future of the football program, early feels for men’s basketball, and then very deep into hockey recruiting. OH YEAH.

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The UConn Pod: New York Liberty Head Coach Katie Smith

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 17:14:00 -0000

It’s a weird year in the WNBA, especially for Husky fans who follow the league. For a variety of reasons, Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore, four of the best to ever play the game, are missing all or most of the season. Even so, three former Huskies managed to earn All-Star nods as Kia Nurse was named a starter, Tina Charles was named a reserve, and rookie Napheesa Collier got in as an injury replacement.

In this women’s basketball episode of the podcast, we discuss the Husky All-Stars, some big wins on the recruiting trail, and Howard Megdal interviews New York Liberty head coach to discuss the success of Charles and Nurse and Bria Hartley, who has carved out a nice role for herself.

The Liberty play their home games in Westchester, not too far from Connecticut in case any hardcore fans want to see a few former Huskies in action.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod Emergency Podcast: UConn is Joining the Big East

Sat, 22 Jun 2019 18:29:00 -0000

It's happening. On Saturday morning, news broke that UConn is leaving the American Athletic Conference to join the Big East. We give our quick reaction to the shocking news and break down what this means for each of UConn's various athletic programs.

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The UConn Pod: The Renee Montgomery Episode

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 20:00:12 -0000

In this UConn women's basketball-centric episode of The UConn Pod, we discuss the recent news developments for the Huskies, including Swin Cash's new job with the New Orleans Pelicans, two key players undergoing surgery and Napheesa Collier lighting up the WNBA early in her career. After that, Howard Megdal talks with former UConn star Renee Montgomery about her impression of the newest Huskies in the league, life in Atlanta, her budding acting career, Geno stories and much more.

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The UConn Pod: Football Transfers, Basketball Roster Moves & Major World Events

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 04:38:36 -0000

This week’s episode of The UConn Pod covered a number of different topics...

The football team has lost 20 players from last year’s roster, who were not seniors. A roster spot opened up on the men’s basketball team, and some UConn-centric reasons for you to watch the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach this weekend and the Women’s World Cup.

Enjoy!

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The UConn Pod: Baseball Tournament Time

Thu, 30 May 2019 17:01:40 -0000

The UConn baseball team begins NCAA tournament play this Friday at the Oklahoma City regional, where they take on Nebraska at 1 p.m. ET. Want to get up to speed on how good this Huskies team can be, but didn’t catch as many games as you would have liked this season? This episode of The UConn Pod quickly recaps some of the Huskies’ milestones this season and highlights some key players to keep an eye out for.

Be sure to stay tuned to the blog over the next few days for photos and more from the Huskies’ time in Oklahoma City and to subscribe to The UConn Pod if you haven’t already!

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The UConn Pod: Geno Gone Wild, Baseball and Ticketing Drama

Tue, 14 May 2019 18:33:07 -0000

Fresh off of a very in-depth podcast about the UConn women’s basketball season and state of the roster, we had no choice but to get into the subject again after Geno added three new players to the team.

Also, an update on how baseball season is shaping up and a lengthy discussion about the state of tickets for Huskies' games, most notably that they’re now free for students and fans will now have to pay for the right to buy tickets for men’s basketball games—driving up the cost considerably.

We also roast the crap out of this article. CAUTION: The takes may burn your ears.

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The UConn Pod: Wrapping UConn Women’s Basketball’s Season with Howard Megdal

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 02:38:08 -0000

After a brief hiatus, The UConn Pod is back! In this episode, the crew discusses some updates from the football team, the new, top-ranked #icebus commit, Christian Vital’s return and some potential names for filling the men’s basketball teams final scholarship.

Later on, Howard Megdal joins Daniel Connolly and Aman Kidwai to wrap the UConn women’s basketball team’s season and help put it into perspective. They also discuss the team’s two new recruits and dive into what has caused the program’s lack of depth. Then, Howard breaks down how former Husky stars Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson will fit in with their new WNBA teams.

Quick reminder: We are still in the early stages of having ads in our podcast, so please bear with us. These ads go a long way in helping us provide quality content for all of our loyal readers and Huskies fans!

If you like what you hear, please rate and review our podcast on iTunes.

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The UConn Pod: Hockey, Hoops and March Madness

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 01:27:35 -0000

In this episode, we discuss #IceBus, men's basketball and women's basketball. We break down hockey's incredible win to close the season over No. 2 UMass, discuss their hot end to the season and make some bold predictions for next season. We then talk men's hoops, their close to the regular season and the legacy of Jalen Adams. We also try to figure out why Christian Vital has fallen out of favor and talk about the emergence of Josh Carlton. Finally, we wrap up with women's basketball by going through the AAC Tournament championship without Katie Lou Samuelson and try to figure out their chances in the NCAA Tournament.

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The UConn Pod: An Existential Crisis

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:30:00 -0000

Ep. 11: An Existential Crisis by The UConn Blog

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The UConn Pod: All About That Hurley

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 17:26:00 -0000

Aman and Tom discuss the Dan Hurley hire and also speak with Eric Bossi of Rivals and the Providence Journal's Bill Koch to learn more about the new Husky head coach.

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Ep. 7: Kevin Ollie Fired, Now What?

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 03:30:24 -0000

Aman and TCF discuss the Kevin Ollie firing and where UConn needs to go from here.

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Ep. 6: UConn Men's Basketball with Rivals' Corey Evans

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 01:09:29 -0000

Ep. 6: UConn Men's Basketball with Rivals' Corey Evans by The UConn Blog

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Ep. 5: Smells Like Fall Spirit

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 14:25:31 -0000

- We discuss the upcoming game against Virginia, and speak to former UConn player Nick Lensender

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Ep. 4: Football Spring Game, NFL Draft Preview, and Interview w/Husky great Dan Orlovsky

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:53:38 -0000

Ep. 4: Football Spring Game, NFL Draft Preview, and Interview w/Husky great Dan Orlovsky by The UConn Blog