CAROLINE IS IN!!!! (Merged thread) | Page 3 | The Boneyard

CAROLINE IS IN!!!! (Merged thread)

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The beauty of this program really is the sisterhood. It’s a family. It was so touching to see all of the players absolutely celebrate her unconditionally. From what we’ve heard she’s been a star teammate through this whole process, and deserved that moment. To even see Ayanna, who’s struggling with a similar string of injuries, look overjoyed for Caroline is a testament to the type of player that comes to this program. The best highlight of the entire game. Happy for her and will enjoy every minute she gets to play.
 
Dublin said:
We noticed that her black headband did not look like the one athletes wear to keep the hair back or to keep the sweat from dripping into the eyes. We thought it was there to help protect her head against any blows.
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It appears to be the Unequal Halo 3 Protective Headgear that's sold at Dick's.

 
From this morning's Hartford Courant:

"But perhaps the biggest moment of the game for UConn came long after the result was decided with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Redshirt junior Caroline Ducharme, who had not appeared in a game since November 2023 due to a series of head and neck injuries, checked in against the Bulldogs and grabbed a rebound in her two minutes on the floor.

Ducharme has appeared in just 59 games over four years at UConn, and coach Geno Auriemma said seeing the veteran guard return after such a long and uncertain recovery process was joyful for the entire team.

'I know it’s been a long time coming for her. She’s been through a lot,' Auriemma said. 'She finally got cleared and was hoping that she’d get an opportunity, so I’m glad we were able to give her that. We’ll build on it little by little and see where that takes us. The players were pretty excited. She’s worked awfully hard to get to this point.'"
 
An interesting question is whether the fact that she is now "cleared" (medically and otherwise) means that she can now participate in team practices without time or contact restrictions.

If so, that means that she can make a meaningful contribution to the team's success for the remainder of this season, ramping up as Aubrey has done so that she can perhaps play 15-20 minutes in NCAA tournament games. That would be huge for UConn's chances.
 
JoePgh said:
An interesting question is whether the fact that she is now "cleared" (medically and otherwise) means that she can now participate in team practices without time or contact restrictions.

If so, that means that she can make a meaningful contribution to the team's success for the remainder of this season, ramping up as Aubrey has done so that she can perhaps play 15-20 minutes in NCAA tournament games. That would be huge for UConn's chances.
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Interestingly enough, all her 'athletic' parts are fully functional, just subject to conditioning and game speed. I would expect that if she is now 'cleared' that she has been demolition tested in practice and will play some significant minutes in the last 2 home games. She is a 'cerebral' player, a coach on the bench and now, hopefully, a coach on the floor and possibly a spark when team is in a lull.
 
It should be interesting to see how Geno plays Aubrey and Caroline for the final 2 regular season games and the Big East tournament. Let's hope that both get meaningful minutes in the first half every game.
 
JoePgh said:
An interesting question is whether the fact that she is now "cleared" (medically and otherwise) means that she can now participate in team practices without time or contact restrictions.
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I would doubt it. As with every player returning from injury, there are limitations and restrictions.
JoePgh said:
If so, that means that she can make a meaningful contribution to the team's success for the remainder of this season, ramping up as Aubrey has done so that she can perhaps play 15-20 minutes in NCAA tournament games. That would be huge for UConn's chances.
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It would be wonderful if this were true, but strictly based on Geno's very limited enthusiasm when talking about her return I would doubt she will be counted upon at all down the stretch or at the big dance. However, I would love to be wrong. I would love to see her out there taking control in a game when we needed it most. I'm sure most of you just imagine how many more NC we could have had with her, Paige, Azzi and Aubrey at full strength?
 
If she is medically cleared and is in "game" conditioning shape, I would love to see her on the court in meaningful minutes. I'm not sure how much she was an active participant in practice so as to get her conditioning up to snuff. Either way it was very nice to see her on the court yesterday.
 
FWIW, if geno stays quiet about caroline and plays her sparingly, the enemy won't know for sure if she is a threat to them, so it could play mind games with them..... to spend time game-planning for her (because, historically, she's a threat) or not.

any edge might help the huskies
 
Did anyone hear how Caroline was told that she was cleared to play in the Butler game? Was it a 1-on-1 with Geno? Did the rest of the players know ahead of time and "rushed" her with congrats once Geno told her?
 
Dublin said:
We noticed that her black headband did not look like the one athletes wear to keep the hair back or to keep the sweat from dripping into the eyes. We thought it was there to help protect her head against any blows.
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The game that many used to view as ballet with a ball has become more like hockey. While I still enjoy the game it is obvious nothing like it was in the past.
Just.A.Fan said:
To see this courageous young woman enter this game as a member of the mop up crew was extremely sad for me. Caroline, had it not been for all the injuries, could have been a UConn great. I hope the higher power keeps her safe, healthy and happy for the rest of her life.
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The mop up crew term does not apply at UConn. They are either getting valuable actual playing time for the underclassmen to improve or getting back to live game experience for those rehabbing. Her time was uplifting for the team, fans and herself nothing mop up here.
Just as Aubury working her way back to valuable minutes.
 
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uconnfan68 said:
Was it just me, or did she look slimmer than the last time we saw her? Only curious as it relates to her conditioning and strength.
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I had the same thought but she looks great and even if she isn't 100% like "freshman Caroline", I am going to enjoy watching every second of her time on the court.
(BTW I am not insinuating that you mean anything negative by your post.)
 
Woof 101 said:
The mop up crew term does not apply at UConn. They are either getting valuable actual playing time for the underclassmen to improve or getting back to live game experience for those rehabbing. Her time was uplifting for the team, fans and herself nothing mop up here.
Just as Aubury working her way back to valuable minutes.
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Sorry my comment went way over your head!!! Most people on here understood it and took as it was intended.
 
PacoSwede said:
FWIW, if geno stays quiet about caroline and plays her sparingly, the enemy won't know for sure if she is a threat to them, so it could play mind games with them..... to spend time game-planning for her (because, historically, she's a threat) or not.

any edge might help the huskies
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Getting ahead of your skies, a bit
 
Just.A.Fan said:
Yes! And I wonder if the NCAA has approved it for wear in WBB? I hope they have or at least will and that it offers players like Caroline at least some competent protection.
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She is wearing it so I think we can be pretty sure that it has NCAA approval or am I missing something????
 
Take is slow and steady and build your confidence. The greatness is there and it will show its face again for you Caroline. Having you back creates another option and your a great option. Next season we will have the Big 4 again and maybe more. So glad your back.
 
Tonyc said:
Take is slow and steady and build your confidence. The greatness is there and it will show its face again for you Caroline. Having you back creates another option and your a great option. Next season we will have the Big 4 again and maybe more. So glad your back.
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Who are the Big 4 next season?
 
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