Natalie Butler in uniform tonight.

[Bonpland]

She was warming up with the team and from my view was rebounding and passing and everything with that hand just fine! Perhaps next game for her!

I was at the game as well and was thrilled to see her in uniform. But once the game began I was happy that she didn't play. I'm a part of the group that that thinks Natalie will be a star for us. I've been excited to see her play since her transfer was announced, but Monday's game was not the one for her to burst onto the UCONN stage.

Maryland, as it turns out, is a very good team. Some on the Board have suggested that we offered up our "B" game at the Garden, but that I think unfairly slights Maryland; the team, the players, and their game plan. They were big and tough in the paint, and fast in transition.

There was a good reason that they led in the second half; they played the game the same way that we do; they moved the ball well, they shot well, they rebounded well, and they were quick on defense. We prevailed, but we had to work very hard to do so, and by five minutes in I thought that Monday was not the night for Natalie's debut.

Let her nurse that thumb through the AAC season and be ready for Alaina Coates in February. Then if we meet the Terp's again in April we will have her to keep Jones from getting her way inside.

This team is not yet last year's team. Geno said it in the postgame. We haven't yet replaced last year's seniors, but we have candidates on the roster that should be able to step up and help us this year to be tough inside and deadly from behind the arc.

I didn't want to see one of those girls get punished inside on her first game back. In two months she'll be doing the punishing, but for now I'm happier seeing her play in her first game as a Husky tonight.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Butler just came in for Stewie in the 1st quarter and scores on her first touch!

 

[Biff]

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Monte]

@HuskyNan I agree that it would have been a lot to ask of Natalie to play last night. Still, Geno doesn't take many transfers (understatement.) I think she'll do well when the time comes.

Do you have any idea when the bandage come off?

HOPEFULLY, we will not see this question again: "Will Butler play tonight?"

 

[BearJWS]

Now we can stop wondering....

 

[wasolddog]

Geno would pick tonight to play her, just my luck! I'm in Ontario and just found out that Watch ESPN isn't available for viewing outside the US. Only here for a few days, hopefully my DVR doesn't fail to record.

 

[Millenial23]

Geno would pick tonight to play her, just my luck! I'm in Ontario and just found out that Watch ESPN isn't available for viewing outside the US. Only here for a few days, hopefully my DVR doesn't fail to record.

WatchESPN also does replays sometimes I think, and there's usually the husky games website too... plenty of options to rewatch the game!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Um, how are 11 and 8 in limited minutes? Pretty good debut, eh?

 

[Zorro]

Are you Geno?

Well, no. But if I were......
Hm. That was supposed to terminate in an ellipse. I guess no elipses allowed on the BY, eh?

 

[easttexastrash]

Good stats for Butler in her first game back after a long time away from actual game play. I didn't get to see the game but I will look for a replay so that I can see her in action.