No Timeline For Azzi’s Return | Page 3 | The Boneyard

No Timeline For Azzi’s Return

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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.
 
Ralph said:
So we move on. Updates on CD and Patterson, or we just wait until Saturday and see who is on the bench in uniform, and then we wait till Monday and see who is on the bench in uniform. Soooooo depressing. As noted above, two of the best and we have yet to see them really play together with both in good health.
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I expect to see only the "healthy seve"n for the Butler game. We don't need more to beat Butler, and it gives another week for Caroline and Patterson to recover. As for Azzi, I think the UCONN staff knows she should have surgery ( and will eventually ) , but they ( and Azzi ) are hoping that another month of rest could allow her to play in March and April. Burt they may be proven wrong. The fact that the knee buckled upon relatively routine contact is reason for concern. This is simply a disaster. In any case, it isn't absolutely clear what is wrong.
 
Sluconn Husky said:
Dear god..............


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This IS NOT a good report. Again, a report coming from a reporter and not the team. Azzi can't help us right now, and it appears she won't in the next few days. Not the news I wanted to hear. :( We have already proven we can win without Azzi. Let's focus on what we do have, and not on what (who) we don't.

I have a feeling Caroline and Ayanna will return before Azzi does. Just one fan's mindset, but I don't think about Azzi. I think about the players we do have, and how they can/will contribute to helping us win our next game.
 
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CONNCAN said:
As they say "You Play The Game With The Cards That You Are Dealt". I actually strongly believe in the players that are currently available for UCONN. With Aaliyah Edwards, Lou Lopez-Senechal, Aubrey Griffin, Dorka Juhasz, and Nika Muhl, I would put this starting 5 up against any team in the Country, and that includes South Carolina, Ohio State and Stanford. When we eventually and hopefully soon, get both Caroline Ducharme and Ayanna Patterson, to be key pieces coming off of our bench and if we can get more of the Amari DeBerry that we saw the other day vs. Seton Hall, along with Ines Bettencourt, I really like this team's chances going forward. The Chemistry that the current starting 5 have, given all of the time they have had on the court, together, is really starting to click right now. Yes, we don't have Azzi Fudd and we all really don't know when or if we will have Azzi Fudd in the near or distant future, this season. Until then (or if not), "Don't Worry - Be Happy"
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CONNCAN, I would give you 100 likes for this post if I could. They showed what they can do when they are completely and totally in sync against Seton Hall. They would have beaten anybody THAT night. Great post!!!
 
Azzi Fudd has bad knees. We knew that when she came to Uconn. Unfortunately, she will never, ever be all that she be because in D1 basketball the player's knees are always in jeopardy; or likely, possibly available to be banged, or stretched, or twisted etc. Also, Azzi is not a player to play through a minor injury. She is a prissy player not likely to play through a minor injury. I don't think we will see much more of her at Uconn. This knee problem will follow he into the WNBA. She likely, will be limited as a pro and will be a player who had great promise but was injured in HS and who never achieves the promise that her talent suggested. Luckily, we'll have KK Arnold, Ashlynn Shade and Allie Z in upcoming years to restore our faith in talented players. But I'm off the Azzi Fudd train......
 
I don’t think she will return until maybe the NCAA tournament. But they should shut her down for the season to prevent any further injuries. It’s an unpopular opinion on this board. But Azzi is set to make a lot of money in the future, and play a lot of basketball. No need to jeopardize that. They have a better chance next year to win it all.
 
Hayven said:
I don’t think she will return until maybe the NCAA tournament. But they should shut her down for the season to prevent any further injuries. It’s an unpopular opinion on this board. But Azzi is set to make a lot of money in the future, and play a lot of basketball. No need to jeopardize that. They have a better chance next year to win it all.
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Is she though? To make a lot of money in women's basketball you really have to play for a long while, I don't know that a long pro career is in the cards considering how many injuries she's already had to deal with. There is a very real chance that the most money she will make is at Uconn, and trust me she's already made a lot of money here.
 
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Aluminny69 said:
Given the amount of times Aaliyah gets "knocked down," we don't really know how hard she was pushed. Was she just trying to draw a foul? Given Aaliyah's size and strength, it seems to me it would be pretty difficult to knock her off her feet.

It reminds me of soccer players, and who goes down legitimately. Having played a little, I can tell you having your feet stepped on by another player wearing cleats, or someone kicking at you feet and legs with full force, it really, really hurts. ( Sorry for going off on a tangent.)
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Aaliyah knew Azzi was there and would not flop with her there . She was picking for her. The defender was trying to get to Azzi and pushed her with both arms. I think it was pretty clear. The referees allowed everything that game and that encourages these kinds of plays.
 
BBallF said:
Great news. It's probably a sprain of a ligament. Hopefully we will see her in March.
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Honestly, I hope not. It will be too late to develop any offensive chemistry and she won't be in game or playing shape having missed 3 months. Just let her heal for next year and move on this season with what we have.
 
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CTrefugee said:
Even if she could, she wouldn't.
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Why not? Do you really think she will make more money in the WNBA? She will have less visibility and therefore less sponsorship money and she's not going to make much from the teams themselves.

This isn't mens sports where a one year pro salary is life changing. It will take her 3-5 year in the league at least to make as much as top womens basketball athletes make.

She can't redshirt anyways so its null in void but it silly to think she wouldn't.
 
Carnac said:
CONNCAN, I would give you 100 likes for this post if I could. They showed what they can do when they are completely and totally in sync against Seton Hall. They would have beaten anybody THAT night. Great post!!!
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Ditto what he said!
 
DrummerDee said:
It was KK Bransford from ND, and no foul was called.
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I stand corrected...there was no mention of a foul by either announcer, but the number of fouls for ND immediately changed to 2 before play resumed. My apologies.
 
CONNCAN said:
As they say "You Play The Game With The Cards That You Are Dealt". I actually strongly believe in the players that are currently available for UCONN. With Aaliyah Edwards, Lou Lopez-Senechal, Aubrey Griffin, Dorka Juhasz, and Nika Muhl, I would put this starting 5 up against any team in the Country, and that includes South Carolina, Ohio State and Stamford. When we eventually and hopefully soon, get both Caroline Ducharme and Ayanna Patterson, to be key pieces coming off of our bench and if we can get more of the Amari DeBerry that we saw the other day vs. Seton Hall, along with Ines Bettencourt, I really like this team's chances going forward. The Chemistry that the current starting 5 have, given all of the time they have had on the court, together, is really starting to click right now. Yes, we don't have Azzi Fudd and we all really don't know when or if we will have Azzi Fudd in the near or distant future, this season. Until then (or if not), "Don't Worry - Be Happy"
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I agree with CONNCAN. The seven players left know what has to be done. Also agree that the starting 5 are as good as most teams. I have seen every team play in the top 10 several times. Of course, South Carolina is the best right now. Stanford is good, but can be beat. In regards to being tired--I am not buying it as a whole. This week the team was in NJ and had good sub minutes. UConn is now on 3 days rest (Geno said practices are being adjusted down) and they play an easy game at home with Butler. They also will be home until next Wed./Thursday depending on Travel. IMO they can be rested and ready for Tennessee. Not counting South Carolina, the Big East schedule is not that harrowing. Many of the games against the lower level teams can bring more rest to the starters. Amari can give each big a few minutes rest and Ines can sub for the guards. Lou seems to be the frailest of the starting 5, but I would think when Lou was at Fairfield she was doubled and hounded every minute of every game. At 6'1 she is tall enough and definitely smart enough to get through this. These are 20 year old athletes, Geno trains them to play 40 minutes every game if necessary. Will it be tough? Yes. But these players are warriors and are willing and able to rumble.
 
Rich said:
They’d tell you if she needed surgery.

I think she will be back this season. Dropping the ‘NO TIMETABLE’ nuke takes all the pressure off both her and the coaching staff to make something happen. This was the correct response.
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I would guess the medical staff are waiting to see how her knee responds over the next few weeks. It's entirely likely that her physicians are unsure if surgery will be advisable or not. UConn has been very circumspect in discussing her situation. Being immobile also delays her return. Whenever she gets the medical green light, it will still be awhile before she gets back in BB shape. She's probably not even able to ride a stationary bike for cardiac fitness.
 
Not good news. I was hoping for a bruise/contusion, but it sounds like some ligament stretching/damage occurred. It comes down to mid-March anyway, but team chemistry is needed before then. Hope she can be near 100% by then (with CD as well). A healthy 7 (Azzi, CD, AE, Lou, Nika, AG, Dorka) is needed to make a serious run for a Title, imo.
 
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hoopsfan22 said:
For all we know Fudd will play tomorrow.
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I know we sure hope so !!! I know it is only year 2 of I hope 4, but it may be hard for a WNBA team to draft Azzi, when light contact can sideline her for months. I believe she is one of the best female shooter ever to play, but it is coming at a high cost
 
PhillyCoach said:
I agree with CONNCAN. The seven players left know what has to be done. Also agree that the starting 5 are as good as most teams. I have seen every team play in the top 10 several times. Of course, South Carolina is the best right now. Stanford is good, but can be beat. In regards to being tired--I am not buying it as a whole. This week the team was in NJ and had good sub minutes. UConn is now on 3 days rest (Geno said practices are being adjusted down) and they play an easy game at home with Butler. They also will be home until next Wed./Thursday depending on Travel. IMO they can be rested and ready for Tennessee. Not counting South Carolina, the Big East schedule is not that harrowing. Many of the games against the lower level teams can bring more rest to the starters. Amari can give each big a few minutes rest and Ines can sub for the guards. Lou seems to be the frailest of the starting 5, but I would think when Lou was at Fairfield she was doubled and hounded every minute of every game. At 6'1 she is tall enough and definitely smart enough to get through this. These are 20 year old athletes, Geno trains them to play 40 minutes every game if necessary. Will it be tough? Yes. But these players are warriors and are willing and able to rumble.
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We can't forget about Caroline and Ayanna going forward either. Caroline can be a huge factor in the Big Dance or even before and she makes our 3 position the best in the country with Aubrey. We can win it all with Azzi because she adds that scoring punch that can break a game open but I also like our chances without her provided CD and Ay return. I think we may see Ayanna tomorrow. She did warm ups at Seton Hall.
 
BBallF said:
Great news. It's probably a sprain1 of a ligament. Hopefully we will see her in March.
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When you “sprain” a ligament you have tears in it. The higher Degree sprain then the more tears are present. …….The starting 5 will need to log a ton of time in the tough games. We can only hope Ayanna comes back soon. I think CD has a much more complicated path back to playing and AZzi s return is anyones best guess
 
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