In the vast realm of basketball rivalries, some span decades, spark rivalries, and crown champions. But every once in a while, one comes along that’s, well… hilariously petty. Enter Arike Ogunbowale and Geno Auriemma. Yes, the same Arike who famously snubbed the UConn juggernaut back in 2014 in a top-five list on Twitter (back when it was still “Twitter”). Her schools of choice were Louisville, Notre Dame, Ohio State, UCLA, and Wisconsin — all fine options, mind you, but none of them had that in-your-face “UConn” bling.
It took Geno exactly 20 minutes to unleash a response so tongue-in-cheek you could practically hear him smirking from the sidelines: “Stay tuned for my list of five players I have zero interest in recruiting.” Ouch! Arike, of course, didn’t seem phased. Fast forward to 2024, and Ogunbowale’s laughing it off, because, really, what’s better than holding a decade-long grudge with a hall-of-famer?
The drama resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter) when a fan pulled out this relic of sports sass, and Ogunbowale couldn’t help but laugh at how the whole thing played out — and rightly so. With just one tweet, Geno became the sassy villain in Arike’s origin story, setting the stage for a legendary rivalry that would end with some unforgettable UConn heartbreak.
Back in 2018: Ogunbowale Gives Geno Something to Remember
Fast forward to the 2018 Final Four, and it’s Ogunbowale’s Notre Dame versus Auriemma’s undefeated UConn squad. It’s the kind of matchup even Hollywood couldn’t script any better. Notre Dame shot out to a solid lead, putting the Huskies in uncomfortable territory. But, being the powerhouse they are, UConn clawed their way back, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the game was sent to overtime.
The clock’s winding down, the teams are tied, and everyone in the arena (including Geno) knows who’s getting the ball: Arike. With ice in her veins, she took a pass from Marina Mabrey, stepped inside the three-point line, and sank a jumper to send UConn home packing. Game, set, match — and she wasn’t done yet. She capped off the tournament by crushing Mississippi State with another dagger, proving to the world that Ogunbowale’s name would echo far beyond Twitter.
Geno vs. Arike: A Feud for the Ages?
Looking back, it’s no surprise this exchange still brings Ogunbowale and her fans a good laugh. While Geno Auriemma’s UConn squad has enough banners to cover the state of Connecticut, he might think twice before firing off a tweet aimed at a high schooler again. But, hey, without that little spark back in 2014, would the Final Four showdown in 2018 have felt as sweet?