UConn's Auriemma: Summitt 'accused us of cheating'

Apr 23, 2008 - 7:24 PM HARTFORD, Connecticut (Ticker) - University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma says it's no real mystery why the team's storied regular-season rivalry with Tennessee ended this year.

In a report on The Hartford Courant's web site Wednesday, Auriemma reiterated that Tennessee coach Pat Summitt knows exactly why she canceled the series with UConn.

The basketball powers had played every year since 1995, but the popular series was discontinued this season. Summitt has consistently deferred to Auriemma when pressed about why the rivalry ended.

"Pat knows. I don't have to say anything about it," Auriemma told the Courant. "But I am not the one who made the decision not to play. So she should just tell everyone instead of continuing to say, 'Geno knows.'

"I do know why (we are not playing). She accused us of cheating in recruiting, but she doesn't have the courage to say it in public. So, yes, I guess I do know because I've already said why. Then again, there's a lot I know about a lot of people, but that doesn't mean I'd cancel the series."

Auriemma went on to say that Summitt has threatened to cancel series with other teams.

"Remember, this is the same person who said if the Duke fans didn't treat her players well she'd cancel that series," he said. "So, if people don't stop misbehaving, she'll only be able to play regular-season conference games, unless that starts to bug them, too."

UConn leads the overall series 13-9 and is 4-0 against Tennessee in the championship games. It appears the only way these teams will ever meet again is in the NCAA Tournament.

That almost was the case at this year's championship as both clubs made the Final Four. However, UConn lost to Stanford in the semifinals and Tennessee went on to win its second straight title.

"It's not going to change. (Resuming the series) is not going to happen," Auriemma said. "It's a moot point. And if it did, it would have to be eight games here, one game in Nashville and one in Memphis. That would be my proposal. ... Do I see the cold war ending? Nope. Not until she tears down that wall."