PHOENIX — The UConn women's basketball team has talked all season about how it isn't worried about stats or individual accolades.
When sophomore forward Sarah Strong was asked ifwinning the Naismith Trophy, given to the best player in women's college basketball, was a dream come true, her answer spoke volumes.
"A dream come true? I wouldn't say that, but I mean, it's definitely a cool side quest," Strong said.
Strong, who has won every individual award in the country this season, is leading the Huskies in scoring (18.6 points per game), rebounds (7.6), steals (3.4) and blocks (1.6). But, like every player on UConn's roster, she is more worried about supporting her teammates and having fun.
"We all enjoy being around each other and are genuinely happy for everyone's success," Strong said. "We just want the team to do well."
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The Huskies are doing very well, on a 54-game winning streak dating back to last season as defending national champions. UConn has won 12 titles since Geno Auriemma took over as coach 41 years ago, so the expectations are high in Storrs, Connecticut. But his players, at least on this team, are used to the pressure and have learned to manage it together.
"Even in the midst of all the pressure that comes with playing in these games, they are finding ways to have fun," Auriemma said. "These guys just enjoy the whole thing, all of it."
UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (21) named Big East Player Of The Year as they celebrate their Big East Championship win over the Villanova Wildcats at Mohegan Sun Arena on Mar 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sarah Strong, UConn look for perfection and another championship
UConn Huskies forwardSarah Strong(21) named Big East Player Of The Year as they celebrate their Big East Championship win over the Villanova Wildcats at Mohegan Sun Arena on Mar 9, 2026.
UConn point guard KK Arnold, who averages 7.1 points and 4.6 assists a contest, said the team spends all of its time together, on and off the court. They love each other's company and thrive on giving each other a hard time.
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"I feel like we're not selfish," Arnold said. "Making sure that everybody's good on this team, everybody checks in on each other, and I feel like that's one thing so unique about this team.
"We all live together and I feel like we're just always bothering each other. We are in each other's apartments. Everybody's like barging in each other's rooms. So I feel like we just have open access to each other 24/7."
Azzi Fudd is an All-American and the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 17.5 points. She is also the Huskies' de facto leader after the graduation of Paige Bueckers, who played her rookie season with the WNBA's Dallas Wings last summer. She knows her career at UConn is coming to an end, but is trying to stay in the moment.
"I feel like I've been kind of in denial thinking about how this is my last weekend," Fudd said. "I know, but I haven't really accepted that yet. I'm really just trying to enjoy every single moment."
Fudd returned for her fifth season instead of going to the WNBA. She hasn't regretted her choice for a second.
"This is a super special group where ... our number one priority, our main goal, is the team over individual stats, individual performances, which is a really special just mindset to have, especially in this day and age," Fudd said. "I feel like it's rare to find a program like this.
"Every single game, it makes everything so much more fun when you're playing for a bigger purpose than yourself."
The purpose this weekend is a 13th championship. And you can bet UConn will celebrate its success together.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:UConn unselfish, unstoppable amid 54-game win streak entering Final Four