UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma conveyed that Notre Dame lacking depth is actually benefitting them right now.

Geno Auriemma Explains Why Notre Dame’s Limited Roster Availability Hurt UConn

The No. 2 ranked UConn Huskies women’s basketball team dropped to 8-1 in the 2024-25 regular season after losing to the No. 8 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 79-68, on December 12.

From the outset, it seemed like the game belonged to Notre Dame, who effectively utilized Hannah Hidalgo, Liatu King, and Olivia Miles to maintain a steady offensive presence and outshine UConn’s guards. This victory marked Notre Dame’s third win against a top-five ranked team this season.

Though UConn was considered to have a deeper roster leading into the matchup—playing nine players compared to Notre Dame’s seven—the Irish’s limited rotation actually worked in their favor. Their top players remained on the court for nearly the entire game: Hidalgo and King played 39 minutes, Sonia Citron logged 37 minutes, freshman center Kate Koval played for 30 minutes, and Miles was on the floor for 27 minutes, despite dealing with an ankle injury.

Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma suggested that Notre Dame’s thin roster turned out to be advantageous.

“Having only six players is a real blessing right now for [Notre Dame],” Auriemma remarked, as noted in a post from the @MarchMadnessWBB X account. “You never have to substitute. Those players are on the court the whole game.”

He continued, “You’re not thinking ‘They’ll need a breather soon.’ They don’t. So those players are attacking you for the entire 40 minutes. I haven’t seen anyone up close yet who can do that.”

https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessWBB/status/1867602047668719757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1867602047668719757%7Ctwgr%5E25f222041a7a45125084c6eb181f32fed380869b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fonsi%2Fwomens-fastbreak%2Fnews%2Fgeno-auriemma-explains-why-notre-dame-s-limited-roster-availability-hurt-uconn-01jf0h099m14

Although this limited depth might pose challenges for Notre Dame in the postseason, they’re definitely reaping the benefits of it at the moment.