UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma faces a challenging season as injuries have forced the team to reinvent itself. The Huskies, who had a promising start with a full roster including star players like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, now find themselves in a position of uncertainty.
At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, UConn’s lineup boasted 14 healthy players, including the much-anticipated return of Bueckers and the debut of Ice Brady. The team was envisioned to showcase a formidable backcourt with Bueckers and Fudd, alongside Nika Mühl and a healthy Caroline Ducharme. The frontcourt was to be led by Aaliyah Edwards and redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy. However, the season has not progressed as planned, starting in July when El Alfy suffered a season-injury Achilles injury.
As November ends, the now No. 11 Huskies are grappling with their new reality. After a mixed performance in the Cayman Islands and Fudd officially out for the season with a torn ACL and meniscus, UConn is forced to rethink its strategy.
“Now all of a sudden look around and it's, ‘So all that time went out the window. All of September went out the window.’ We have to start over,” Auriemma said, via Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider. “So, we just want to start over now and now that we know what our team is, Carol (Ducharme) is day-to-day, obviously Azzi is out, we just try to patch it together as best we can.”
Ducharme's ongoing struggle with the aftermath of previous injuries exemplifies the team's broader challenges. The uncertain timeline for sophomore Patterson's return due to a knee issue further complicates matters.
Geno Auriemma's adaptability
Auriemma, known for his adaptability, is experimenting with different player combinations to find a cohesive lineup. In UConn's recent match against UCLA, freshman KK Arnold started but encountered early foul trouble. Ashlynn Shade, another freshman, showed potential in the game against Kansas but also faced challenges.
The team's adaptability is being tested, as pointed out by Mühl.
“We've learned how to cope with that,” Mühl said. “I feel like since I've been here, since some people have been here, we have not had a complete lineup not once. So, you know, it's not anything that we're not used to. It's not something that we don't know how to work with. It's just a matter of, you know, young guys stepping up. … As long as we trust in and believe in each other and in ourselves, that's all we need.”
The coach is banking on the leadership and performance of experienced players like Bueckers, Mühl, Griffin and Edwards. Auriemma emphasized the need for these players to consistently deliver, as the team's success heavily depends on their contributions.
“That kind of floor leadership from Nika, that kind of, you know, all-around impact that Aubrey had, and Paige being Paige. Like, if we can get that every single night and, you know, things will start to fall into place, but that's where it's got to start,” Auriemma said.
With a week's break from games, the Huskies are focusing on trying new combinations and rotations in practice. The silver lining, as Geno Auriemma notes, is the timing – it's still early in the season, with 25 regular-season games left. This period allows the team ample opportunity to explore new strategies and understand their potential.
The Huskies' next game is on Dec. 3 against No. 10 Texas, offering a crucial chance to test their evolving dynamics.
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