UCLA’s consecutive wins record not in jeopardy, Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma says

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With Tuesday night’s 53-47 victory over Stanford, the Connecticut women’s basketball team clinched its second straight NCAA title and second consecutive undefeated season.

The Huskies are also now 11 victories away from breaking the NCAA basketball record of 88 consecutive wins, set by Coach John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins from 1971-74.

But Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma says Bruins fans should not be worried about their team falling to second place on that all-time list.

‘It’s not going to happen,’ he said. ‘Eight of our 11 nonconference games next year are against teams that were in the top 15 this season.’

Auriemma’s squad will lose senior Tina Charles, who won the Naismith Trophy for the nation’s top women’s basketball player. But NCAA tournament MVP Maya Moore, who won the Naismith Trophy last year, will be back.

Even if his team does surpass the Bruins’ all-time winning streak, Auriemma says it won’t be the same as the mark set by Wooden’s legendary squads.

‘We’re not men’s basketball, and I’m not John Wooden. That’s a record that will always stand,’ said Auriemma, who is three NCAA championships away from tying Wooden’s record of 10. ‘It’s flattering to be mentioned in that company, but I’m just trying to think of what we need to do.’

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.