Syracuse Coach After 53-Point Loss: Please Don’t Make Us Play UConn Again

Key Points:

• Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack expressed frustration over her team repeatedly facing UConn in early NCAA Tournament rounds, calling it a "personal attack" and criticizing the regional grouping by the selection committee.
• Syracuse lost to UConn 98-45 in the second round, marking the third time in recent tournaments the Orange were eliminated by the Huskies in Storrs, including Legette-Jack's previous loss coaching Buffalo in 2019.
• UConn dominated the game, leading 65-12 at halftime and going on a 31-0 run, with Azzi Fudd scoring 34 points on efficient shooting despite limited fourth-quarter play.
• Legette-Jack suggested Syracuse deserved more respect and questioned why her team was confined to playing near UConn, pointing to other teams like Virginia that had easier tournament paths despite similar seeding.
• The coach noted the psychological impact of playing under the weight of UConn's championship banners, which she felt affected her players' performance, particularly in free-throw shooting.