UConn’s legendary coach Geno Auriemma has a knack for stirring the pot, and Caitlin Clark’s fans are feasting on his latest remarks like a post-game buffet. The coach, often celebrated for his basketball acumen and sharp tongue, is now in hot water for suggesting that Paige Bueckers doesn’t need an NCAA championship to cement her status as a generational talent. Naturally, the Caitlin Clark faithful smelled blood.
Auriemma, a man who could probably argue with gravity if given the chance, has never exactly been a member of the Caitlin Clark fan club. His critiques of the Indiana Fever star are practically an offseason tradition. From questioning her greatness to calling her supporters delusional, Geno has fired more shots at Clark than a sharpshooter in a three-point contest.
Bueckers: Greatness Without a Ring?
In a recent interview, Auriemma doubled down on his belief that Bueckers doesn’t need a national championship to solidify her legacy. According to him, greatness isn’t always tied to trophies, a sentiment that, conveniently, didn’t apply when he was busy downplaying Clark’s NCAA achievements.
“I don’t think she needs to win a championship to prove she’s great,” said Auriemma, a comment that many interpreted as him wheeling out a brand-new set of goalposts for his prized player. He also threw in a jab about Bueckers never having played with an All-American, which raised a few eyebrows and likely a few Twitter threads.
Clark’s Fans Fire Back
Caitlin Clark’s fans, never ones to miss a good internet brawl, lit up social media faster than Clark lights up a scoreboard. One fan sarcastically wrote, “Oh, so now championships don’t matter? Cool, cool. Glad we’re all on the same page.”
Another chimed in, “This is as close to an apology to Caitlin Clark as we’ll ever get. Welcome to the goat conversation, Geno!”
Some fans noted the irony in Auriemma’s sudden change of heart, with one tweeting, “When it’s Paige, it’s about her team. When it’s Caitlin, it’s about her flaws. Interesting how that works.”
Clark’s Rookie Year: A Mic Drop
Geno’s previous comments about Clark struggling in the WNBA now look like the coldest of cold takes. After calling her fans “delusional” for thinking she could be an MVP candidate in her rookie year, Clark promptly proved him wrong. She finished fourth in MVP voting, behind A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart, and led the Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years.
Clark’s performance was a masterclass in shutting up critics, averaging 8.4 assists per game—the highest in the WNBA—and reminding everyone why she’s a generational talent. Meanwhile, Auriemma’s claim that Bueckers is a better distributor now reads like a poorly-aged meme.
Who’s Really Moving the Goalposts?
As the Caitlin vs. Paige debates rage on, one thing is clear: Auriemma’s latest comments have only added fuel to the fire. Whether he was defending his player or slyly backtracking on his Clark criticisms, the internet isn’t letting him off the hook.
For now, Clark’s fans will keep basking in the glow of her stellar rookie season while Auriemma may want to invest in a sturdier set of goalposts—they’re getting moved an awful lot these days.