NEW YORK (AP) — Geno Auriemma and the No. 1 UConn Huskies have the luxury of not only having great players, but depth too this season.
That has provided the Hall of Fame coach the ability to turn up the defense and stifle opponents — something the Huskies haven't really been able to do the past few seasons because of a short bench due to injuries.
“We didn't have the ability to play at a level of intensity that we wanted to play because we had to save everyone for 38-39 minutes,” Auriemma said after a 90-64 win over No. 11 Iowa on Saturday in the Women's Champions Classic. “We didn’t have the number of people to run them in there and be able to go back to who we used to be.”
All of Auriemma's great teams that went on to win championships played stellar defense — something that was sometimes overlooked because of their incredible offensive prowess. The 1995 team, the ones with Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles and Maya Moore and then the Breanna Stewart four-peat all played great defense.
“We’ve had a lot of identities over the years, a lot of people are more talking about us offensively,” he said. “We had to play the way the hand was dealt, we played a little bit differently. Now we’re back to were we play the way I like playing.”
The Huskies had 17 steals, including six by sophomore Sarah Strong, and forced 26 turnovers.
“Our goal every game is to disrupt what the other team is doing,” said Azzi Fudd, who had four steals. "Our goal has been to have a defensive identity. Take those chances, take those risks, trust each other."
The Huskies (12-0) are giving up just under 53 points a game and that number could get even lower as they most likely will only play two ranked teams until the NCAA Tournament. That's about the same as last season's group that won the school's 12th national championship.
Iowa coach Jan Jensen was impressed with what she saw with UConn and its pressure defense and how relentless they are.
“Most teams when you advance it and get it over (halfcourt) in nine seconds, they come drop their shoulders. They do not. It’s like they get you across that court and then they just get a little bit more intense. That’s what impresses me.”
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UConn's Azzi Fudd (35) and KK Arnold (2) cheer for teammates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Iowa's Addison Deal (7) passes away from UConn's Allie Ziebell (11) and Azzi Fudd (35) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025 on Saturday to equal the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid's final game of the year.
Mbappé matched Ronaldo’s tally from 2013. After embracing his teammates, he marked the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda also was expelled by the referee during the halftime break.
Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a run of bad results and the overall lackluster play of his star-studded side. Spanish sports media is rife with speculation the first-year coach could be replaced.
Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to ponder the team’s future before its next game against Real Betis on Jan. 4.
Alonso could have ill afforded another slip at the Santiago Bernabeu after his side lost its previous two games. But Madrid's fans still had reason to grumble after Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances — even after being reduced to 10 men.
Alexis Sánchez, still spry at age 37, and right back Juanlu Sánchez stood out the most for a Sevilla side that poked holes in Madrid’s defense.
Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to deny Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González on four strikes in the second half. But Sevilla could have gone ahead if it had just showed more finishing touch early on.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
Madrid is in second place at one point behind Barcelona before the leader visits third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe blows a kiss towards the TV camera as he celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso looks out from the dugout ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, right looks to control the ball under pressure from Sevilla's Juanlu Sanchez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
