As much as I would love to see Azzi in uniform and playing, I'd prefer that she allow her knee to heal. If that means having to wait until next year so that she can play 100% fully healthy, I will lead the chorus. As grateful as I am that Paige came back from her surgery last season, part of me had hoped she wouldn't return until this season. Athletes want to play and happen to be overly optimistic on their level of readiness. I look at OSU's Jacy Sheldon as another who may or may not have returned too soon.
I know sports medicine has made tremendous strides in helping athletes' return from previously career-ending injuries. Yes, the mind and body is resilient, but basketball is a physically demanding sport, particularly on the knees. Thankfully, inadvertent elbows to the head and other head blows are taken more seriously than they were 40 years ago. UConn has unfortunately been exposed to too much of both over the past two seasons.
There is still a lot to look forward to this season. The players left standing are a great bunch of girls, fun to watch, and capable of playing at an exceedingly high level of play. Selfishly, I want to be able to watch Paige and Azzi play together when both are fully healthy. Collectively, we've waited 2 years to see this fulfilled. Of course, I don't know the extent of Azzi's injury, but having experienced more than my share of athletic injuries, I question the integrity of her knee at this moment, and whether it can hold up or withstands the rigors placed on it until it can fully recover. If there is any doubt, I'd prefer to be overly cautious.
Next season, UConn could have it most offensively gifted team ever, if only all of the pieces are available. That team has the potential to be written into the history books. I would love to witness it.