A Geno tease on Azzi

[UConnCat]

I couldn't disagree more about Bueckers' return last year. Bueckers returned in the last reg season game vs Prov., not in the NCAA's. She started and played all 3 BET games.

Actually, no. Paige returned in the next to last game of the season against St Johns on Feb 25th. She did not start any of the BET games. She played okay off the bench in the first BET game against Georgetown but was mostly ineffective in the semi-final game (18 minutes, 2 points) and the championship game (9 minutes, 2 points).

There was even some uncertainty about Paige's role before the NCAAT began last seasonL

“Two months is a long time, over two months is a long time to be away from the game. As far as what her role’s going to be, we’re still trying to figure that one out.”

UConn has been playing well with a starting lineup of Christyn Williams, Azzi Fudd, Nika Muhl, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards. Bueckers, Evina Westbrook, Dorka Juhasz and Carolina Ducharme have been coming off the bench.

Bueckers scored 16 points in a win over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, but was less impactful in the two other games at Mohegan Sun.

“We have a pretty good situation going right now, so how much do we want to change that and what’s best for our team and what’s best for Paige,” Auriemma said. “I thought she handled her role in the Big East tournament good at some times, not so good at other times. So I think we’ll, we’ll have a better idea after today and tomorrow’s shoot-around.”

As we learned, Paige did get more comfortable and her role was figured out.

 

[MooseJaw]

According to orthopedists, there are many knee injuries where a brace doesn't help at all.

And according to many of us who have had to wear a knee brace there are many knee injuries and conditions where a knee brace is the difference between being a spectator or being a player. I'm not saying a knee brace is what Azzi needs in order to play, that's not up to me, just as all our opinions are nothing more than opinions.

 

[Aluminny69]

How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

I seem to remember Katie Lou coming back from injury, and going 10 for 10 from 3 pt line. Boneyarders feel free to correct me if I misremembered.

 

[BBallF]

All he wanted to do was post up in pickup games, because he rarely got to do that otherwise and the rest of his game needed no work or proving (to a bunch of hacks like us). There is a good picture in my yearbook that shows Billy Raftery (the iconic sports broadcaster now, and then an outstanding Bballer at Lasalle ) pushing Jones to the court during some game action

Ha. I don't doubt that at all about Raftery. He went to St. Cecilia's in Kearny, New Jersey and my brother covered him once. He was what you would call a "physical" player for the time.

 

[Centerstream]

I seem to remember Katie Lou coming back from injury, and going 10 for 10 from 3 pt line. Boneyarders feel free to correct me if I misremembered.

Lou (the original ) shot her 10for10 in the 2017 AAC Tournament Championship game against USF. I don't remember her being injured that season but could be mistaken.

 

[HopJim]

From an outsiders perspective, I believe her true test will be on defense. There is no safe way to defend without putting massive amounts of stress on the body. I remember that she struggled on defense while injured last season, especially trying to keep up with athletic guards. I think we all know she can shoot at a high clip, even when she is not 100%. Maybe Geno uses her as a 3-point specialist while she continues to recover. How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

It seems like the entire Huskie team has been fighting knee issues or ankle sprains the past month and their defense is still solid. I suspect Azzi, after a few games, will get her legs back enough to guard the 2nd or 3rd guard option. We have Muhl and Aubrey to handle the top offensive players.

 

[UConnCat]

Lou (the original ) shot her 10for10 in the 2017 AAC Tournament Championship game against USF. I don't remember her being injured that season but could be mistaken.

You're not mistaken. Lou was injured (back) and missed the entire 2019 AAC tournament. She came back for the NCAAT that year and her play was uneven before going off against Louisville in the Elite 8 game in Albany. She made 7 threes in that game while scoring 29 points.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

From an outsiders perspective, I believe her true test will be on defense. There is no safe way to defend without putting massive amounts of stress on the body. I remember that she struggled on defense while injured last season, especially trying to keep up with athletic guards. I think we all know she can shoot at a high clip, even when she is not 100%. Maybe Geno uses her as a 3-point specialist while she continues to recover. How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

Last year her injury was a her foot from the summer US Junior games.

If you are in proper defensive position though you shouldn’t be putting a lot of pressure on your knee or back. If you are, you aren’t defending properly at all. You abs and your glutes should be bearing most of the stress.

I don’t think Azzi is coming back unless she feels no pain on both sides of the ball. That she warmed up over the weekend with the team show this is already occurring.

 

[Alydar]

No, Bueckers started none of the BET games.

Actually, no. Paige returned in the next to last game of the season against St Johns on Feb 25th. She did not start any of the BET games. She played okay off the bench in the first BET game against Georgetown but was mostly ineffective in the semi-final game (18 minutes, 2 points) and the championship game (9 minutes, 2 points).

There was even some uncertainty about Paige's role before the NCAAT began last seasonL

“Two months is a long time, over two months is a long time to be away from the game. As far as what her role’s going to be, we’re still trying to figure that one out.”

UConn has been playing well with a starting lineup of Christyn Williams, Azzi Fudd, Nika Muhl, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards. Bueckers, Evina Westbrook, Dorka Juhasz and Carolina Ducharme have been coming off the bench.

Bueckers scored 16 points in a win over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, but was less impactful in the two other games at Mohegan Sun.

“We have a pretty good situation going right now, so how much do we want to change that and what’s best for our team and what’s best for Paige,” Auriemma said. “I thought she handled her role in the Big East tournament good at some times, not so good at other times. So I think we’ll, we’ll have a better idea after today and tomorrow’s shoot-around.”

As we learned, Paige did get more comfortable and her role was figured out.

Before I posted I actually looked it up. I must have looked at 2021. I hate weaving through ESPN's menus to get to a box score.
I stand by my opinion on not starting Fudd though. UConn's lack of top outside shooting has been exposed to the rest of wcbb and UConn is getting a steady dose of clogged paint. There is no offensive flow to disrupt. Muhl and Griffin are not 3 pt answers. Fudd would make life so much easier for everyone else. Senechal would draw the opponent's second best perimeter defender.
The current starters currently include 3 players slated to be subs last summer. I have nothing but admiration for the jobs they are doing but Fudd is at another level.

 

[faithfulfan]

So why now? Why not next year? This team shall need a new mind set, a new set of game plans , do 20 per cent more scoring, and 90 percent fewer turnovers, and 20 percent more Rebounds to be in the FF---or the key to most NC-s (so says Geno)---lots of LUCK.

within 4 of SC without Azzi, with her,,,,,,,,#12!!!

 

[faithfulfan]

1

The difference between this year and past is that the program is releasing much less information as to details of injury, status of players, activity level, etc. And in a prior thread, I opined that I like it that way. The press is allowed to observe practices, but all of them? I don't know. The UConn program has always kept its stuff in house. None of us know what's going on behind the scenes as to the content/volume/quality of her workouts. Is she in true game shape? Maybe not, however 15-20 mins of Azzi is better than none. Maybe she doesn't need to play 30+ mins. Lastly, in addition to keeping most of the team's status quiet this season, it also provides a challenge to opponents as to prep and scouting.

15 to 20 mins of Azzi per game is enough to win the Big East.
Opinion not based on anything but observation of the past, its all about the NCAA's and getting to the final 4!

 

[darrell]

Warming up, but still no signature braids unfortunately.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Warming up, but still no signature braids unfortunately.

Great that she’s even warming up.

 

[Alydar]

So I guess we are now on a braid watch?.

Could that be done between warmups and pregame?

 

[Alydar]

I would say first we need to hear about a full contact practice.

 

[Littlemin]

Before I posted I actually looked it up. I must have looked at 2021. I hate weaving through ESPN's menus to get to a box score.
I stand by my opinion on not starting Fudd though. UConn's lack of top outside shooting has been exposed to the rest of wcbb and UConn is getting a steady dose of clogged paint. There is no offensive flow to disrupt. Muhl and Griffin are not 3 pt answers. Fudd would make life so much easier for everyone else. Senechal would draw the opponent's second best perimeter defender.
The current starters currently include 3 players slated to be subs last summer. I have nothing but admiration for the jobs they are doing but Fudd is at another level.

All of you assume that as soon as Fudd and Bueckers return there are no lingering effects of two years being mostly injured, this after both had a history of injuries to varying degrees in HS. Further, IMO nothing of the kind has been exposed. Uconn has continued to get good shots, including inside chances, they are just not converting like they were earlier in the season. Would Fudd help them, of course, she is a terrific player, but let’s see her get on the court and perform after her injury problems before you talk about someone who has been forced to the sit more than she has played is at “another level.”

 

[Alydar]

All of you assume that as soon as Fudd and Bueckers return there are no lingering effects of two years being mostly injured, this after both had a history of injuries to varying degrees in HS. Further, IMO nothing of the kind has been exposed. Uconn has continued to get good shots, including inside chances, they are just not converting like they were earlier in the season. Would Fudd help them, of course, she is a terrific player, but let’s see her get on the court and perform after her injury problems before you talk about someone who has been forced to the sit more than she has played is at “another level.”

You can't assume that about anyone. Both players came back last year and except maybe for their stamina, were still the best shooters on the team. Was Miles coming off an injury when she went down? No. Players get injured all the time and yet some speculate as if no one will get hurt while others think of little else but what could go wrong. It's human nature.

 

[Conndog]

Well, no Azzi tonight against Xavier. I just don't think she'll play again this year. It's probably just as well for her long-term health. We'll go as far as we can in the tournament still.

 

[Jokerman619]

Tonight was great night. But not a productive night. And I know some might not like what I say. I think Azzi should have played tonight. Her team is killing themselves. And kinda got a little upset by her comments, I will play when I am ready. She could have played at least 5 minutes. But she needs to be able to play. All my opinion. And I am a big boy, can take some criticism. All have a great day. Another Big East title. 5 days until the conference tournament. We need all hands on deck. GO Huskies.

 

[HuskyNan]

Tonight was great night. But not a productive night. And I know some might not like what I say. I think Azzi should have played tonight. Her team is killing themselves. And kinda got a little upset by her comments, I will play when I am ready. She could have played at least 5 minutes. But she needs to be able to play. All my opinion. And I am a big boy, can take some criticism. All have a great day. Another Big East title. 5 days until the conference tournament. We need all hands on deck. GO Huskies.

Oh brother.

 

[Littlemin]

You can't assume that about anyone.

Thanks for proving my point, on the one hand you say “you can’t assume that about anyone“ coming back from an injury, but on the other you had posted “Fudd would make life so much easier for everyone else” previously. In reality you have no idea what kind of player she will be when and if she comes back; which was exactly what I said in my reply to your post, “let’s see her get on the floor and perform before” you declare her to be on “another level”

 

[Blue Huskie]

Well, no Azzi tonight against Xavier. I just don't think she'll play again this year. It's probably just as well for her long-term health. We'll go as far as we can in the tournament still.

If that were the case why would they bother having her participate in warmups?

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Well, no Azzi tonight against Xavier. I just don't think she'll play again this year. It's probably just as well for her long-term health. We'll go as far as we can in the tournament still.

They told the fox announcer they were hoping to get her minutes in the BET.

 

[Conndog]

If that were the case why would they bother having her participate in warmups?

Hey, I hope I’m wrong and we get to see her play! But the amount of games left keeps dwindling, and she hasn’t played yet, clearly the effects of her injury whatever it is are more serious than anyone thought- guess I’ve just become pessimistic.

 

[hoopsfan22]

If that were the case why would they bother having her participate in warmups?

And dressed in her full uniform. Once a player is doing warmups and on the bench in uniform their return is not that far away.

 

[meyers7]

Tonight was great night. But not a productive night. And I know some might not like what I say. I think Azzi should have played tonight. Her team is killing themselves. And kinda got a little upset by her comments, I will play when I am ready. She could have played at least 5 minutes. But she needs to be able to play. All my opinion. And I am a big boy, can take some criticism. All have a great day. Another Big East title. 5 days until the conference tournament. We need all hands on deck. GO Huskies.

Again, she didn't actually say that (that we know of). That was Geno comparing Ducharme's situation to Fudd's in that they would know when they were ready when everything felt right. It wasn't a discourteous response to Geno asking them when they would be ready.

The reporter who tweeted this did a disservice to Fudd.

 

[Alydar]

Thanks for proving my point, on the one hand you say “you can’t assume that about anyone“ coming back from an injury, but on the other you had posted “Fudd would make life so much easier for everyone else” previously. In reality you have no idea what kind of player she will be when and if she comes back; which was exactly what I said in my reply to your post, “let’s see her get on the floor and perform before” you declare her to be on “another level”

This isn't a criminal trial. I decided on the bulk of the evidence. I don't claim infallibility. It's possible that both Bueckers and Fudd never play again anywhere. It's much more likely that they both go on to star in the Olympics.

 

[uconnfan68]

She was paraphrased by Geno, who’s been known to indulge in a little hyperbole

Wait, wut?

 

[Cuango]

All of you assume that as soon as Fudd and Bueckers return there are no lingering effects of two years being mostly injured, this after both had a history of injuries to varying degrees in HS. Further, IMO nothing of the kind has been exposed. Uconn has continued to get good shots, including inside chances, they are just not converting like they were earlier in the season. Would Fudd help them, of course, she is a terrific player, but let’s see her get on the court and perform after her injury problems before you talk about someone who has been forced to the sit more than she has played is at “another level.”

I doubt anyone on this board thinks Azzi (or Paige) are going to step on the floor and start averaging 25 her first game back. What we all think, is that with her, we have some chance of being what we were in at least some games earlier in the season. She (and to a lesser extent, Caroline) has the potential to reinvigorate this team and return us to our accustomed position of being feared again! Does that mean we automatically win? Obviously not, but it gives most of us some hope heading into the tournament! It’s still an uphill climb but hopefully not as steep!

 

[uconnbill]

I hope she plays in the BET as they need her and I think she needs to play for herself. It would be a huge lift and get them prepared for the NCAA's