Winning streak records are nothing new for the UConn women’s basketball team. In 2003, they broke the modern D-I record of 54 by topping out at 70 straight. In March of this year, the Huskies completed a second consecutive 39-0 season.
But with yesterday’s 81-50 victory over No. 11 Ohio State at Madison Square Garden, the top-ranked Huskies entered an entirely new realm, tying John Wooden’s UCLA men’s teams of the early 1970s with consecutive victory No. 88. The Huskies and Bruins are tied with the longest D-I hoops streaks ever, regardless of gender.
“Both teams share the level of competitiveness, the expectation level that is above everyone else’s,” said UConn senior forward Maya Moore, who added to her all-time UConn scoring title with 22 points.
“[UCLA] showed that by going out and winning every night. We want people to remember how much we respect and love the game.
“Hopefully, they can see that when we play.”
Now, only No. 15 Florida State stands between UConn and solo history. They’ll meet tomorrow night in Hartford.
A UConn victory will only intensify the debate over whether the accomplishment stands as the true record, because of the inherent differences between men’s and women’s basketball.
But: “One thing that’s non-negotiable, the one thing we have in common, is that we settle for nothing less than the absolute best that we can give you, every single day and night,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said.
