Dawn Staley supported, Geno Auriemma criticized after Final Four confrontation
After Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma got into an argument in the Final Four, national media weighed in on the incident.
Prominent women's basketball figures criticized Geno Auriemma and showed support for Dawn Staley after the two were involved in an argument near the end of South Carolina women's basketball 's Final Four win over UConn . With 0. 8 seconds left in the Gamecocks' 62-48 win over the Huskies on April 3, Auriemma approached Staley to shake hands as the clock wound down.
An argument broke out, and assistant coaches had to step in to separate Staley and Auriemma. According to Staley, Auriemma initiated the argument about her not shaking his hand before the game. ESPN showed video of the two coaches shaking hands before the game.
Auriemma also questioned Staley's comments to officials while he was being interviewed after the third quarter. Several commentators had harsh reactions to Auriemma's behavior and subsequent comments . After the game, ESPN analysts Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter blasted Auriemma's actions on one of the sport's biggest stages.
"His behavior does not sit well with me," Ogwumike said. "I actually find it quite problematic. ...