Paige Bueckers and Geno Auriemma are moved to tears in emotional and historic moment

UConn demolished South Carolina in the title game 82-59 to win its historic 12th national championship, all under head coach Geno Auriemma.

The Huskies have taken home the title for the first time in nine years, as fifth-year superstar Paige Bueckers led the way.  With one final opportunity left, she finally accomplished her goal.  The All-American and Husky legend has brought the national title back to Storrs, Connecticut. It had been a long time coming, not only for UConn, but for Bueckers as well.

Through season-ending injuries, unfortunate luck, and everything else in between, she returned for a fifth year to do exactly what she had set out to accomplish all those years ago when she arrived in Storrs as a skinny, wiry freshman.  And now she had led her team to the mountaintop.  Bueckers checked out of the game with 1:32 to go to a standing ovation and thunderous applause.

But most importantly, and satisfying, was the emotional embrace that she shared with her head coach, as tears formed in their eyes.  “He told me he loved me, and I told him I hated him,” Bueckers joked after the game.  “Nah, I love that man more than words can describe.”

Auriemma shed more light on the moment between the two when ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked the head coach what was said in that moment.  “I love you,” Auriemma answered, while battling back tears.  “That’s all I can say. I love you…  “I’ve never been happier than I’ve been the last couple of months coaching a team.”  A strong statement from a man who has been at the helm of UConn since 1985.  And now Auriemma and Bueckers will be forever connected in college basketball history.