Columbia, S.C. — Of all the things that irritate Geno Auriemma — bad officiating, dumb shots, Notre Dame — nothing else forces him to lose his sunny disposition more than WNBA talk during the women’s college basketball season.

It would be unfair to suggest Auriemma doesn’t care about the future of his players. It’s just that he’d prefer their thoughts remain current, like on trying to win a national championship. Hard to blame him for that, even if societal impulses tend to obsess more on what’s around the corner than what’s in front of us.

And yet even on a night that was such a triumph for the women’s college game — sellout crowd in the Erstwhile Land Of Steve Spurrier, another outpost trumpeting the game’s growth — the real winners Monday night were … wait for it … your own Connecticut Sun.

Indeed. This wasn’t a night about the present. Not for UConn and South Carolina, who are likely to meet again in April under more pressing circumstances. And not for the dramatis personae, some of whom are likely to end up summering in Neon Uncasville.

Think about it: If nothing happens before draft day, the Sun, who own the third and fourth picks in the draft, would have their pick of perhaps two elite players in this game: Mo Jefferson, Tiffany Mitchell or Morgan Tuck. Note: Tuck hasn’t said whether she’s returning to UConn next year to complete her athletic eligibility. But conversations with some league sources suggest virtually every franchise in the WNBA operates on the assumption Tuck will enter the draft.

So much speculation.

So many possibilities.

The Sun, who had the third pick, gathered the fourth last week as well, shrewdly trading center Elizabeth Williams to Atlanta for the pick. We’ll miss Elizabeth (especially grocery shopping at the East Lyme Stop & Shop). But the Sun’s draft flexibility is to be envied.

Maybe they try to work a deal with San Antonio, which owns the No. 2 pick. The Stars only need everything, save perhaps a wing player, with Kayla McBride already on the roster. Might it be in San Antonio’s best interest to build depth, packaging the second pick in some form to the Sun for picks three and four? That would ensure Connecticut grabs Jefferson, who continues to impress.

Jefferson, the gutty little speedball, has improved her three-point shot, adding to the impressive resume of fearlessness, quickness, trustworthy ballhandling and defensive disruption. She would, in no particular order, sell tickets, allow Alex Bentley to slide to shooting guard, her more natural position, and perhaps inspire Chelsea Gray to come back in better shape.

Even if that doesn’t work, Mitchell would fit beautifully. Wing scorer, athletic and with experience passing the ball into the post, where college teammates A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates would be replaced by Chiney Ogwumike and Kelsey Bone. Here, too, is what you love about Mitchell: in late-game situations, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley views Mitchell as the No. 1 option. She takes big shots and makes them.

Once again: This is all speculation. Not until draft night will we understand the whims of each franchise. Perhaps other players — center Jonquel Jones of George Washington, Oregon center Jillian Alleyne, Baylor guard Niya Johnson or someone else unintentionally omitted are picked in the top five. The overall point is that while Seattle will get the crown jewel — Breanna Stewart — the Sun, with two picks in the top four, won the night.

Hard to believe the Sun open camp in a little more than two months. And it is without a hint of hyperbole to suggest this should be the most anticipated season since 2012, when they made the conference finals. There is a new coach, new enthusiasm, the return of Ogwumike, the promise of healthier bodies and just about the best perch of all on WNBA Draft night.

No longer will we endure bad basketball in the place they care the most.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius