A comment UConn coach Geno Auriemma made about statues outside of stadiums has South Carolina fans up in arms.

The heavyweight championship matchup would bring the legendary rivalry of the head coaches—UConn’s brilliant Geno Auriemma versus South Carolina’s Dawn Staley—to the forefront. Preceding the final, Auriemma took the opportunity to compliment Staley’s great career and even cracked a self-deprecating joke about his old age.

Connecticut won its 12th women’s basketball championship on Sunday. The Huskies defeated defending champion South Carolina, 82-59, to cap a dominant postseason. After the game, Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma addressed the media at press conference.