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Auriemma, McGraw an unbeatable pair

UConn’s Geno Auriemma, Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw coach the nation’s top two teams and have local ties.

Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma shakes hands with Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw. (Joe Raymond/AP)
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma shakes hands with Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw. (Joe Raymond/AP)Read moreJoe Raymond/AP
    by BY TOM MAHON, Daily News Staff Writer <a href="mailto:mahont@phillynews.com">mahont@phillynews.com</a>
    Published 

YOU ALREADY know about No. 2-ranked Wichita State's 31-0 record.

But there are two women's teams with local ties that are also unbeaten.

No. 1 Connecticut is coached by Geno Auriemma, and No. 2 Notre Dame is coached by Muffet McGraw. Both are former assistants at Saint Joseph's and both coached in the Catholic League.

(Philly's Dawn Staley, who doesn't have a Hawks connection, coaches No. 4 South Carolina. See Page 54 for an update).

Yesterday, the Irish (29-0, 16-0 ACC) defeated No. 13 North Carolina State, 84-60. It's the first time in school history they've gone unbeaten in the regular season.

UConn (30-0, 17-0 AAC) takes on No. 3 Louisville (28-2, 16-1) tonight (7 o'clock, ESPN2) to complete its regular season.

McGraw was raised in West Chester and played for Bishop Shanahan High before becoming a 4-year starting guard at St. Joe's, where she played from 1973-77. In her senior season, the Hawks went 23-5 and were ranked No. 3 in the nation.

From there she went on to coach Archbishop Carroll High for 2 years and played professionally for the California Dream of the Women's Professional League in 1980.

After her pro stint, she became an assistant at St. Joe's for two seasons, replacing Auriemma who left to become head coach at his alma mater, Bishop Kenrick High.

Eventually, they rose to their current positions where they've done nothing but win.

Last year, Auriemma, who grew up in Norristown, got the best of McGraw as UConn beat the Irish in the Final Four en route to the national title. Before that, the Irish had won seven of eight against the Huskies, who lead the overall series, 30-11.

The teams didn't play this season because Notre Dame left the Big East for the ACC and UConn joined the AAC. But they're renewing the rivalry next season.

But don't be surprised if they do a little tournament dancing before then.