The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Makurat breaks through freshman wall, begins to thrive
STORRS — It’s common for freshmen to hit a wall at some point. Fatigue brought on by the length and intensity of the college season is almost unavoidable.
That point is usually in late January or early February, during the thick of conference play.
But for Anna Makurat, it was earlier, Much, much earlier.
“She hit it in November,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma joked Thursday. “Aubrey (Griffin) seems to be going through that now. ‘I can’t make a shot anymore; I can’t make a layup.’ ”
Makurat couldn’t buy a bucket. Her confidence waned. She lost her starting job.
“She just hit a point where it looked like nothing could go right for her,” Auriemma said.
Makurat had a heart-toheart with Auriemma before traveling home to Poland for Christmas break. It apparently worked because she’s picked up her play since returning from the holiday. The guard is shooting 45.5 percent (44.9 from 3-point range) and is averaging 9.6 points during American Athletic Conference play.
“She’s getting it,” Auriemma said. “She’s got a good way about her. She knows how hard this is and she knows she’s also getting through it. She can laugh at herself when times go bad, as opposed to November when I think she would’ve swam home if she missed another (3-pointer).”
In Monday’s loss to No. 3 Oregon, Makurat played 36 minutes (one shy of her career-high) and shot 5of-9, finishing with 13 points. Only one other Husky scored in double figures. They’ll look to rebound Friday against Memphis at Gampel Pavilion (7 p.m.).
“I’m longer here, so each day it should be better, just to be more comfortable in the system and more comfortable on the court, more comfortable with teammates,” Makurat, 19, said.
In some ways, Makurat’s professional stint in Europe helped prepare her for the grind of college ball. That season ran from November through March, with the playoffs lasting into May. She just had fewer games per week.
It’s similar but different to what she’s experiencing now.
“This is probably the most she’s had to do in her life,” Auriemma said. “The running up and down the floor for her has been a real awakening. Having to get down in your stance and play defense a lot has been a real eye-opener for her. Her mind is good, but her body’s just banged up right now. She’s walking around sore all the time, which, I mean, most college players are at this point in the season. Luckily for her, she’s a bit older.”
Makurat has maintained a heavy workload coming off the bench. She’s averaging 24.5 minutes, fifth on the team behind the regular starters. But Auriemma said he wants to get her involved earlier in games, which could mean a lineup change is forthcoming.
Senior Kyla Irwin has started the last 16 games, but her production has dipped. She was replaced by Makurat just 3:57 into the game against Oregon.
“Whether that’s as a starter, I don’t know. But I know she has to get in the game sooner and she has to touch the ball more and she has to make more plays,” Auriemma said. “If that means I need to change the starting lineup, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
Makurat said she’s comfortable in any role.
“I started a couple times after halftime. I don’t see a difference,” she said. “It’s just the mentality that you have to get before the game.”