The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
No. 3 UCONN at MARQUETTE
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Al McGuire Center, Milwaukee
Records: UConn 12-1 (10-0, Big East); Marquette 12-2 (9-1, Big East)
TV: SNY
Radio: UConn Sports Network (97.9 FM-ESPN Hartford, WAVZ 1300 AM, WICC 600 AM, WINE 940 AM, WGCH 1490 AM, WILI 1400 AM)
Streaming: Available in-market via NBC Sports app. Out-of-market available at no additional cost to subscribers who have Fox as TV package. Sign in at www.foxsports.com or in FOX Sports app.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Hobbling Huskies: Junior Christyn Williams missed Wednesday’s win over St. John’s with an ankle injury, while sophomore Aubrey Griffin was limited to two minutes after banging her knee in practice. UConn coach Geno Auriemma is hoping Thursday’s off day will allow them to be ready for second-place Marquette.
The Huskies have had injuries pile up lately, and also remain without sophomore Anna Makurat (lower leg) indefinitely.
“Are there more (injuries) this year than past years around the country? I don’t know,” Auriemma said. “They all seem to be, knock on wood, manageable, but it just takes time. Maybe too many stops and goes, maybe too many ‘not sure when our next game is.’ I don’t know. Maybe it’s just bad luck. I can’t put my finger on it.”
High marks for Golden Eagles: Marquette has been one of the most efficient teams in the country this season, ranking 11th in shooting percentage (47.6) and sixth in assists per game (20.5). Much of the Golden Eagles’ offense revolves around senior guard Selena Lott, who leads the team in scoring (16.1) and assists (4.6).
History lesson: UConn has won all nine meetings with Marquette, most recently a 94-37 victory on Feb. 5, 2013 in Storrs.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad trip out there,” Auriemma said. “We’ve had great success out there both in the regular season, playing Marquette, and the NCAA Tournament. … They have a great arena, great tradition. There aren’t very many places in America where you’re going to go where they appreciate college basketball more than Marquette.”
In 2002, the Huskies won Mideast Regional games in Milwaukee over Penn State and Old Dominion en route to a 39-0 season and their third national championship.