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UConn women’s second 90-game winning streak a portrait of dominance

By Cody Williams

Jan 10, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; The Connecticut Huskies celebrate their ninetieth win as they took on the South Florida Bulls at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; The Connecticut Huskies celebrate their ninetieth win as they took on the South Florida Bulls at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Geno Auriema’s UConn Huskies tied their own record with their 90th-straight win, exemplifying a level of dominance unmatched in any sport

On Tuesday night, Geno Auriema’s UConn Huskies welcomed the No. 20 ranked USF Bulls to the XL Center in Hartford. As always, the UConn women were favored to pick up the victory. What’s more, they put forth a suffocating effort like the team’s of years passed in the program have many times before. Despite it being a matchup against a ranked opponent, the Huskies won by 69 points, holding USF to just 37 for the game. With that, Auriema tied his program’s own record with a 90th-straight win.

Winning 90 games in a row is absurd and impressive, no matter sport or context. The Golden State Warriors merely won 73 games and it was record-breaking and awe-inspiring. John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins won 88 games consecutively, which is also an absurd mark. However, no program or team in any sport can match the overall dominance of UConn women’s basketball.

From the turn of the century into the 2000s, the Huskies now have a winning streak of 70 games, one of 90 games, and the current one of 90 games and counting. Mind you, these are winning streaks that span seasons long, which makes it all the more astounding that they’ve been able to replicate the feat.

College basketball (and sports) present a challenge unlike any professional sport. Sure, players leave via free agency and trades when it comes to pro teams, but the degree of difficulty is heightened when dealing with young student athletes both having a maximum of four years in the program while also dealing with mental and physical maturation that naturally occurs during college years.

Yet it’s light work (apparently) for Auriema and the UConn women’s basketball team.

Throughout their current 90-game winning streak, though, they may have somehow reached an even higher plane in regards to sustained success. 26 of the 90 wins have come against ranked opponents. But even more unbelievable is the fact that only two of the 90 wins have been decided by single digits. They aren’t just playing good teams and skating by; they’re blowing by anyone in their path.

Next: 12 Biggest Cinderellas In March Madness History

No matter what number the UConn winning streak reaches and eventually ends at, they’ve already achieved something near-unfathomable. Their three longest winning streaks combine for 250 wins—and counting. There are great teams, there are impressive winning streaks, and there are dynasties. And above all of them sits the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team.