Huskies’ game against Baylor canceled
Would’ve been first game of season against top-10 opponent
No one wants to be the bearer of bad news.
But that’s the position UConn coach Geno Auriemma found himself in upon learning that the Huskies’ trip to Baylor had been canceled. The Lady Bears began restricting team activities Tuesday after coach Kim Mulkey tested positive for
COVID-19.
“When I told (my players), they were really disappointed — obviously. They thought I was kidding at first. Then they realized I wasn’t kidding,” Auriemma said Tuesday on a Zoom call with reporters.
Thursday’s game was to be the ninth meeting between No. 3 UConn and No.
6 Baylor, women’s basketball bluebloods, and the
Huskies’ first of two this season against teams currently ranked in the top 10.
“I’m really disappointed for (my players) that they aren’t getting an opportunity to go down and play,” Auriemma said. “Win, lose, get blown out, it doesn’t matter. They just wanted to be on the court with a team of that caliber that could whack us really good.
“I feel bad that every opportunity that’s come along to face that sort of thing, it’s been denied.”
Because of COVID-19 issues within their own program earlier this season, the Huskies had to cancel games against Top 25 programs in Louisville and Mississippi State. Auriemma said he and Louisville coach Jeff Walz have tried to reschedule a game, but whenever they get close to ironing out a date, “something comes up that makes it look impossible.”
At the moment, Tennessee ( Jan. 21) and No. 5 South Carolina (Feb. 8) are the only remaining noncon
ference opponents on UConn’s schedule.
“That seems to be the case for a lot of schools in a lot of conferences,” Auriemma added. “Just when you think we can work this out, boom. Somebody could say, ‘Hey, Connecticut’s free,’ and then all of sudden we get a phone call and say, ‘Hey listen, you’re going to have to play so and so on Thursday.’ ”
For now, with an emphasis on now, UConn’s next game is scheduled for Saturday against Providence in Storrs. Barring an upset, Auriemma will tie late Tennessee coach Pat Summitt for second on the career wins list at 1,098.
Auriemma said he was frustrated to lose another marquee game, but was careful not to pass judgment about the situation.
“All you can do is the best you can do and keep your fingers crossed,” Auriemma said. “It’s unfortunate. … We knew that when we decided to play that we were going to be in for a roller-coaster ride unlike any we’ve ever been on.”
Auriemma continued to credit the resilience of his
players, who have faced a series of hurdles and setbacks throughout this unpredictable season. He didn’t rule out playing Baylor later this year, though it’s too early to tell.
“I’ve got a young team that hates to practice,” he said. “But they’ve been really good about showing up every day and getting ready to play the next game. These last couple days, they’ve really been ready. Like these last couple days, practices have been different.”
He added: “This practice, practice, practice, practice, and very few opportunities to work on what you’ve been practicing, it’s very frustrating.”
Asking about the likelihood of scheduling a replacement in time for Thursday, Auriemma joked there’s a better chance that UConn plays a team of media members than another Division I program. There’s just so many logistical hurdles and so little time.
“I’m sure there’s somebody out there,” Auriemma said. “I just don’t know if it could ever be put together that quickly, which is a shame.”
NEW ADDITIONS ON HORIZON?
Regarding the possibility of UConn’s 2021 commits enrolling early and playing later this season, Auriemma said that hasn’t happened yet, but he didn’t necessarily rule it out either. They’d first have to graduate high school.
The Huskies’ 2021 class of Azzi Fudd (No. 1), Caroline Ducharme (No. 5), Amari DeBerry (No. 15) and Saylor Poffenbarger (No. 30) is ranked second nationally by ESPN.
“Where are we with our players?” Auriemma asked “Well, one, they’re still in high school. If and when, since it has become an issue, if all of a sudden our four incoming freshmen find out, ‘Hey, my season’s canceled, I can finish school tomorrow. Coach, can I come?’ That hasn’t happened yet. That doesn’t mean it won’t, that doesn’t mean it will.”