Auriemma Backs Connecticut Basketball, Not Sun Ownership

North Carolina projects as a strong 2025–26 program on both sides: Hubert Davis returns senior Seth Trimble plus several transfers (including Henri Veesaar, Kyan Evans, Jarin Stevenson, Ivan Matlekovic, Jaydon Young and Luka Bogavac) alongside top freshmen and returning role players, while Courtney Banghart’s women bring back sophomore Lanie Grant, added international Liza Astakhova, two transfers (Nyla Harris, Elina Aarnisalo) and a four-freshman class despite losing pieces to ineligibility. Geno Auriemma has been taking UConn on the road to showcase and support other Connecticut programs, holding open practices and fundraisers and scheduling an exhibition against Southern on Oct. 26, and he says he is not directly involved in efforts to keep the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun in-state. National tournament coverage projects a Final Four of Texas, South Carolina, UCLA and UConn, with UConn currently favored and questions about whether this might be Auriemma’s final run. Kiyomi McMiller, a former five-star recruit who averaged 18.7 PPG as a freshman at Rutgers, has transferred to Penn State and landed an early NIL deal with Jordan Brand. Duke combined for a 33–5 ACC record in 2025, with both programs winning their respective ACC tournaments under Jon Scheyer and Kara Lawson, underscoring ACC depth and balance.