WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
No. 10 UCONN vs BUTLER
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Ind.
Records: UConn (7-3, 2-0 Big East), Butler (1-11, 0-3)
TV: SNY
Radio: UConn Sports Network
KEEP AN EYE ON
QB Caroline Ducharme? Ducharme has continued her upward progression the last four games, including her 17-point, 3-block performance Sunday against Creighton Sunday. The freshman has provided UConn the spark it has been missing with Paige Bueckers recovering from a tibial plateau and torn meniscus injury.
On Sunday, UConn coach Geno Auriemma said his team has been missing a quarterback-like individual, which has led to inconsistency at both ends of the court and self-inflicted errors (UConn ended Sunday with 16 turnovers, eight of which for traveling).
“As you watch this particular group play there really is a up and down factor to it. That’s the only constant that I’ve seen is the inconsistency,” Auriemma said. “We’re searching for who’s going to be that individual on the court that’s going to be able to bring some sort of sense of order to what we’re doing, to finish out late game situations, and finish out fourth quarters, to play through adversity. I think that to me is the most glaring thing. That this team has to fix.”
In Bueckers’ absence, could Caroline become the team’s missing QB? Or will Auriemma look to a senior to take over the role?
The Aaliyah Edwards we remember:
After starting the season in somewhat of a slump, Edwards looked more like herself Sunday. The sophomore had her best game of the season finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and one block in 22 minutes.
Edwards scored 24 points and had 14 rebounds in UConn’s last meeting with Butler on Feb. 27, 2021. The then-freshman converted her first nine shots, and her first and only miss game in the final two minutes. She
More depth: Nika Mühl was expected to be limited to 15 minutes Sunday and played 17. The sophomore finished with two points, three assists and two rebounds, and was called for four personal fouls. Her time on the court is a sign she will be available for longer stretches moving forward.
Auriemma also said freshmen Amari DeBerry (recovering from COVID-19 and other unspecified issues) and Azzi Fudd (foot injury) are likely to return this week. If both come back, UConn will have nine available players for the first time since facing UCLA on Dec. 11.
Meanwhile, Auriemma said Piath Gabriel will be out a little longer.
Scouting Butler: The Bulldogs are coming off a program shutdown due to COVID. Butler had to cancel its last four games and hasn’t played since Dec. 29, when it lost to Xavier 77-55. The team’s only win this season came on Dec. 22 against Evansville, 75-67.
The Huskies are 2-0 all-time against Butler after sweeping the Bulldogs last season in UConn’s return to the Big East. UConn won last year in Indianapolis on Feb. 27, 97-68.