WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY

EAST CAROLINA VS. NO. 2 UCONN

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville

Records: ECU (16-14, 6-10 AAC); UConn (28-2, 16-0 AAC)

TV: ESPN3

Radio: UConn/IMG Sports Network — 97.9 ESPNHartford, WINE 940 AM-Brookfield, WGCH 1490 AMGreenwich, WICC 600 AM-Bridgeport, WAVZ 1300 AMNew Haven, WXLM 980 AM-New London, WATR 1320 AM-Waterbury, WILI 1400 AM-Willimantic

KEEP AN EYE ON

⏩ Who’s stepping in?: If Geno Auriemma has settled on a starter to replace Katie Lou Samuelson (back spasms) in Saturday’s American Athletic Conference quarterfinal, he isn’t saying.

Freshman Olivia Nelson-Ododa drew the assignment in the regular-season finale against South Florida last Monday. The 6-foot-5 forward struggled early but rebounded to record four steals and two blocks over a season-high 24 minutes.

“I don’t know,” the UConn coach said Friday before practice at the Werth Center. “I’m going to wait and see. I wasn’t too crazy about the way we started the South Florida game, but we’ll see how it goes. We’ll see who we’re playing, and we’ll see how today goes and we’ll see how tomorrow’s shootaround goes. We’ll go from there.”

Regardless of when she steps on the floor, NelsonOdoda will be counted on to do more in the postseason. The same goes for the Huskies’ other freshman, guard Christyn Williams.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what they do,” Auriemma said. “With Lou not being here, it’s a great opportunity for the two of them, a great opportunity. I think they’re going to be OK.”

Williams, who’s averaging 10.6 points and 3.1 rebounds, was named AAC Freshman of the Year Friday. She’s the first Husky to receive that honor since Kia Nurse in 2015.

The award seemed to catch Williams by surprise. “I didn’t even know that was a thing,” she said, smiling. “I woke up to a tweet, and I was really excited.”

⏩ They meet again: The Huskies’ 63-point victory (118-55) over ECU on Feb. 6 in Hartford was their largest this season. Samuelson led the Huskies with 31 points that day, while Napheesa Collier scored 21 on 10-of-10 shooting.

No. 8 ECU edged No. 9 SMU 50-48 in overtime in Friday’s first round behind 12 points apiece from Alex Frazier and Raven Johnson.

UConn is 10-0 all-time against the Pirates.

⏩ Battle of willpower: The Huskies won three games in three days back in November, beating Mississippi, St. John’s and Purdue at the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

They’ll need to do so again if they want to capture another AAC championship.

“I think that’s the good thing about this tournament,” guard Crystal Dangerfield said. “It’s kind of going to test who’s going to be physically tough and mentally tough in this situation. It’s the second time we’ve seen it this season, but it’s been a while. … We’re missing Lou this time around, so it’s going to be a good test for us.”