Geno Auriemma Apologizes to Dawn Staley, 'No Excuse' for Actions After UConn-South Carolina

UConn coach Geno Auriemma issued a statement apologizing for his behavior after the Huskies' 62-48 loss to South Carolina in the Final Four of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

"There's no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina," he said Saturday. "It's unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don't want my actions to detract from that. I've had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them."

During a sideline interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe in between the third and fourth quarters, Auriemma complained about the officiating in the game. He also called out South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and claimed she "rants and raves on the sideline and calls the referees some names you don't want to hear."

Before the final buzzer sounded, Auriemma and Staley had a heated exchange, and he walked toward the tunnel without the customary postgame handshakes once the contest ended.

In his press conference, Auriemma cited two factors for his frustration that didn't hold up to scrutiny.

The 12-time national champion asserted that Staley snubbed him first when she didn't shake his hand before the game. The two did have at least one meeting at halfcourt before the action tipped off, though.

Auriemma also pointed to star Sarah Strong changing out her jersey because the original had ripped midway through the game. He believed that was evidence of the physicality she was getting from South Carolina players.

Strong acknowledged she ripped her jersey "by accident."

As Auriemma implied in Saturday's statement, he arguably became the biggest story from the game rather than the Gamecocks avenging last year's loss to UConn in the national championship. Many thought he crossed a line.

South Carolina and UConn will see each other again on Nov. 24. They've already agreed to play in Uncasville, Connecticut, as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase.

Given their standing within women's basketball, any battle between the Gamecocks and Huskies is a highly anticipated occasion. What transpired in the Final Four will only add extra spice.