NCAA Basketball News: Mississippi HC Puts End To False Social Media Narrative, Claims Geno Auriemma Wasn’t ‘Attacked’ By 22YO Star

UConn’s head coach Geno Auriemma has been facing a lot of fire ever since his media address at the UBS Arena. The 69-year-old national champion coach has been at the receiving end of some fierce criticism from some prominent names. Apparently, his statements regarding the impact of the portal on building relationships with players attracted backlash from the likes of Lauren Park-Lane and LSU’s formidable No.10 Angel Reese.

However, he soon issued further clarifications and explained that his comments were not directed towards a particular individual. Following this Mississippi State’s boss expressed his views on the ongoing controversy.

Mississippi’s Head Coach on Geno Auriemma

A press conference on Wednesday saw Mississippi’s head coach Sam Purcell providing his insights on Auriemma’s statements. It seems he had a neutral stance on the matter. It appears, he concurred with several of Geno’s points on the burden the transfer portal places on coaches. Sam said, “Geno’s a legend in the game, and when I got a chance late last night to actually listen to it, a lot of the comments he made were actually right. Like, I felt it.”

Later, he decided to get behind Lauren Park-Lane and further explained that she launched any personal attack on Geno: “I don’t think this needs to be an attack on Geno, because some of Geno’s comments were just a generalization. I think it was the feedback from social media where other people assumed and got involved. That’s why I’m here to stand up today. Because if you want to assume about anything, I’m going to share the right story of who she is as a person.”

Read More: Dan Hurley or Geno Auriemma, Which Coach Can Save UConn Basketball This NCAA Season?

Seemingly, the comments of Auriemma are somehow being linked to the transfer of Lauren Park-Lane. Earlier, she made a move from the Saton Hall Pirates to the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The much talked about transfer of Lauren Park-Lane

After spending four long seasons with the Pirates, the 5′ 3″ decided to enter the transfer portal before starting her senior year. Seemingly, she and her father were impressed by the speed and intensity coach Sam Purcell brought into the Bulldogs. As a result, assistant Gabe Lazo scouted the 22-year-old as soon as MSU’s March Madness concluded. Moreover, she became Mississippi State’s starting point guard after Anastasia Hayes exhausted her eligibility.

Expectantly, Purcell’s clarification should be enough to put to rest all the social media narratives. In addition to this, it can also end various assumptions circulating around the internet. At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their opinions. And, there should be no harm in that.

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