Champion UConn ranks among best of all-time

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Geno Auriemma laughed at the question, but seemed pretty sure he knew the answer.

If a mythical Final Four was set up between the three unbeaten teams in UConn’s history and one of his other championship Huskie squads, who would come out on top?

“The one that I was coaching in the fourth quarter,” Auriemma said Wednesday, a day after Connecticut routed Louisville 76-54 to claim its six national title — all under its Hall of Fame coach.

In the wake of the latest championship, talk turned to the place of the 2008-09 Huskies in school and basketball history.

It’s tough to argue against this team’s numbers. UConn won every one of its 39 games by double digits, a first in college basketball. The Huskies cruised past all 10 of the ranked opponents they faced, closing the season with the second-largest win ever in a title game.

Still, the 2002 team had a similar average margin of victory and featured four of the top six players taken in the WNBA draft. That squad also started a streak of three straight national championships for the school.

Is it possible that this current UConn group could match the run led by Diana Taurasi? The Huskies lose guard Renee Montgomery, but return the NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player, Tina Charles, and The Associated Press player of the year, Maya Moore, as well as a strong supporting cast.

UConn’s ability to win more championships may rest on Charles’ shoulders. After being benched last season in the NCAAs for inconsistent play, she cranked out double-doubles this time.

“She is the kind of legend that makes a blockbuster movie and now we’re going to wait and see how she follows that up next year,” Auriemma said.

Auriemma will take a little time to savor this title. Then, in August, he’ll start figuring out how to win another championship.