Women's basketball: Geno Auriemma looks for eighth national championship

New Orleans • Geno Auriemma has never lost an NCAA championship game.

Of course, his UConn Huskies haven't had to face a team like upstart Louisville, which is making an unprecedented run through the women's tournament. A victory Tuesday night over the Cardinals would be UConn's eighth title, matching the Huskies with Tennessee for the most ever in women's basketball.

Auriemma didn't want to think about it.

"Talking about things that haven't happened yet is never a good idea," Auriemma said.

History is on the Hall of Fame coach's side: UConn is 7-0 in title games, including a victory in the 2009 game against Louisville and the 2004 game that was also played in New Orleans. That game was the college finale of Diana Taurasi, who finished with three straight championships.

This trip to the Big Easy could be the beginning of a new dynasty for the Huskies led by Breanna Stewart. The heralded freshman has been on one of the most remarkable runs of any first year player in the history of the NCAA tournament. She had a season-high 29 points in the semifinal victory over Notre Dame and was honored as the most outstanding player of the Bridgeport regional.

Auriemma said he couldn't remember a player having a better game in such a setting.

Stewart already has scored 82 points in the NCAA Tournament in just four games. The Syracuse native sat out the opening round rout of Idaho.

Auriemma's latest prize recruit missed this season's first game against Louisville as she recovered from an ankle injury. UConn still won that game by 14 points. The Huskies have had their way with the Cardinals, winning the past 12 meetings, including that 2009 championship.

"I don't remember a thing, you try not to remember anything about those games," Louisville coach Jeff Walz deadpanned. "We're playing better basketball. The kids are confident, not much more to say. We believe in what we're doing. No one thought we'd beat Baylor, no one thought we'd beat Tennessee."

Walz isn't fazed by his team's lack of success against Connecticut. It's hard to blame him the way the Cardinals have rolled through the tournament behind freewheeling guard Shoni Schimmel.

First came the upset of Brittney Griner and Baylor that shocked everyone. Then came the victory over the Lady Vols — the winningest program in women's basketball history. And finally the Final Four win over tournament newcomer Cal to get back to the title game for the second time in five seasons.

"It's going to take the best game we've played to date," Walz said. —

Louisville vs. Connecticut

P Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

TV • ESPN