Auriemma confident junior, other bench players will contribute quality minutes against Seton Hall
When the Huskies step on the court Saturday it will likely be without Megan Walker.
The sophomore starter has strep throat, UConn coach Geno Auriemma said, and as of Friday he believed she would be out for the Huskies’ game against Seton Hall. Walker also missed Tuesday’s game against St. Louis.
Starting in Walker’s place will once again be junior Kyla Irwin — a decision Auriemma said came down to Irwin best understanding what he wants out of her.
“I think Kyla has a better grasp of what we’re doing at this point and time [than Olivia Nelson-Ododa],” Auriemma said. “I think Kyla’s earned it because she works really, really hard and I want to give her that opportunity and see what she does with it. Olivia’s still going to get her moments, but I just think that Kyla’s earned it.”
Auriemma said the more time Irwin and Nelson-Ododa spend on the court with the starters, the more they improve. While Irwin is getting the nod this game, NelsonOdoda is coming off a positive two-game stretch where she impressed her coach and also recorded her first collegiate double-double. Both will need to contribute in Walker’s absence against Seton Hall.
The freshman forward earned a lot of praise from Auriemma after UConn’s win over Notre Dame, and then continued her success against St. Louis. The result is she’s starting to feel more comfortable on the court as she sees the fruits of her labor.
“I think with each game my confidence will continue to rise,” Nelson-Ododa said. “Just the experience I get will help with that.”