Since UConn’s women’s basketball loss to Arkansas, the team has clearly made adjustments. Some of these changes are easier to notice, such as the rise of Paige Bueckers to a new level or defensive improvement. Others are less noticeable.
“That Arkansas game, we weren’t in a good place, in terms of the team, but [also] individually, ”said coach Geno Auriemma. “I think we had guys who were really struggling with their games. We were struggling to find identity on the court. I think that game showed us a lot of what was missing. “
“Since then, I think there has been a different approach by some individuals on the team and by the team as a whole,” he added later. “He appears in these games that we play and I hope he continues to appear.”
Many of these problems were rooted in the inaction of the UConn game. The start of the Huskies’ year was delayed after the program interrupted the team’s activities due to a positive COVID test. As soon as they started, they played a furious series of five games in 11 days.
After that, UConn went through another drought period, playing only twice in 27 days because of a series of problems beyond the team’s control. When the Huskies traveled to Arkansas, they had only played five games in the previous month.
“You can’t underestimate this enough: you need a lot of games, two, three games a week, for a period of time to feel like you’re in game mode – no matter how much you practice – and we weren’t . “
UConn has been on a fairly regular schedule for the past three weeks, with seven games in that period. For the first time this season, the Huskies have been in game mode for an extended period of time, which would help to partially explain the team’s best game recently.
Another factor in the improvement of the Huskies since the defeat in Arkansas is the appearance of freshman guard Nika Muhl. Although she played 25 minutes and contributed eight points, Muhl really found his pace in the last week. She started consecutive games, played at least 35 minutes in each competition and set a new career record in at least one category in both performances.
Muhl’s impact at each end of the track was particularly evident in UConn’s victory at Marquette. Her passing ability helped the Huskies’ attack to become more fluid, while Auriemma credited her for improving the team’s defense communication.
The fact that Muhl took so long to win a car seat was not about talent or skill – it was evident at the beginning of the season. Instead, the freshman needed to change his attitude to maximize those skills.
“Before the Tennessee game, we had some problems with Nika. Questions related to how she wants to play and the things she thinks are okay. We don’t agree with these things, ”said Auriemma. “Now, obviously, she agrees with me, so she’s playing more and she’s really a fundamental and integral part of what we’re doing now. That is one of the reasons, perhaps, why we are playing at a slightly higher level, because of what it brings at both ends of the track. “
Muhl is not the only freshman playing a crucial role for the Huskies either. Bueckers runs the show, leading the team in minutes played with points and assists per game, while Aaliyah Edwards became a key player in the post.
Although the three have already been on the court in some capacity as UConn players for almost five months, they are still inexperienced. The Huskies played just 14 games, a milestone they reached on January 11 last season. To make matters worse, only three of these opponents were ranked – none of them were in the top 10.
“They shouldn’t think of themselves as freshmen mentally, but unfortunately, they didn’t play enough games to be considered anything other than that,” said Auriemma. “They have a lot of experience in practice, but they don’t have a lot of experience in games.”
This means that Monday’s clash with South Carolina will not only be an important test for UConn as a team, but also a crucial learning experience for Huskies fledglings.
“Games like tomorrow night are important to them anyway,” said Auriemma. “If we win and play well, it will be a great confidence builder for them, to know that they can do that. If we play well and don’t win, that’s still something they can rely on. The big games are coming up in March and this is a kind of preview of how these games can be. “
UConn certainly looks like a different team than the one he lost to Arkansas, but it is fair to question whether this progress is real or just a product of playing against outdated Big East opponents. Against South Carolina, the Huskies will answer that question, in one way or another.
Injury updates
UConn is currently dealing with a number of injuries and illnesses.
Paige Bueckers “is still struggling” with the ankle injury she suffered in Tennessee, while Nika Muhl’s ankle and Evina Westbrook’s knees “are not 100 percent”, according to Auriemma.
Meanwhile, Christyn Williams is dealing with a sprained ankle that forced her to stay out against St. John’s, while Aubrey Griffin pretty much missed the last two UConn games after beating her knees with a teammate in practice (she tried to go against the Red Storm, but played at two minutes before asking to leave).
“[Griffin] he said he felt better in Marquette, but I didn’t want to rush, ”said Auriemma. He did not say whether she would play on Monday or not.
Aaliyah Edwards shot Marquette in the face and was seen with a bloody mouth on the sideline. Fortunately, it looked worse than it really was.
“I’m good. Nothing serious, no fracture,” she said. “I just had a good blow to the mouth, but I’m getting ready for tomorrow.”
There are also no more updates on Anna Makurat, who has been out for the past five games with a problem with her right leg.
“Anna is still far from ready,” Auriemma told SNY after UConn’s victory over St. John’s.
Although this may seem like a long list of injuries, Auriemma said this is only normal at this time of the season – despite Makurat.
“There have been a lot of irritating things. They are still there. They are not leaving, ”he said. “But at this time of year, this is almost everyone. Everyone in college basketball is probably regretting the same things. “
Geno makes his choice
With the Super Bowl on Sunday night, Auriemma will cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs to claim the Lombardi Trophy over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I have to go with the Kansas City Chiefs because we have a personal interest in rooting,” he said. “Defense coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is a good friend of ours at UConn.”
Spagnuolo trained at UConn from 1987-1991 as a defense assistant.