The personal relationship between Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt and Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma wasn’t the best over the last four years.
For whatever reason, the relationship reached the point where Summitt decided that the annual game between two of women’s basketball’s flagship programs needed to end.
But while there may not be a change in terms of whether or not the two schools play during the regular season, there may be ongoing change when it comes to how they get along.
Auriemma and Summitt talked on the court during Connecticut’s open practice at the Women’s Final Four in Denver, sharing a hug as well.
One of the points of conversation was Summitt’s health, as she was diagnosed with early onset dementia during the summer.
Auriemma said that they also discussed Summitt’s foundation for Alzheimer’s research, and they’ll both be on the court at halftime of the second semifinal when the NCAA honors former USA Basketball coaches.
Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.