Super Fun UConn Updates Grab Bag!
The Story: There have been lots of little developments at UConn in recent weeks, but not enough to cause us rushing to the keyboards to grind out a newsletter. Well, that pot’s boiled over, and so here we are. Strap in!
NEW BASKETBALL UNIFORMS: What better way is there to celebrate the return of the prodigal son to the Big East than with a bit more modern take on a classic get-up? The men’s and women’s basketball teams will each don new laundry this season, and the changes go beyond that sweet, sweet Big East logo patch under the left collarbone.
That familiar little friend isn’t the only change you’ll notice. If you’re one of the (very, very few) people who love red in the color scheme, we have a uniform for you! In fact, the men’s and women’s uniforms incorporate the color much more than they have in several years. The men’s uniforms sport red trim around the neckline, sleeves and knees, and the women’s uniforms feature it down the side and around the bottom of the shorts.
Take a look:
Which one you choosing❓❓#ThisIsUConn | #PullTheSled pic.twitter.com/wc0HwuTrAA
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) October 25, 2020
The Three Huskyteers pic.twitter.com/KZN00Xw1VO
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) October 21, 2020
So, what do we think? They’re bold, they’re slick and, well, they’re even a bit flashy. And, of course, there won’t be any mistake who’s on the court come this fall. All told, a job well done.
NO. 1 DOWN TO FOUR: The top player in the Class of 2021, Azzi Fudd, has trimmed her list to four schools and, of course, UConn has made the list. Fudd, a 5-foot-11 guard from Washington, is also considering UCLA, Louisville and Maryland. She told Hearst Connecticut Media that she wants to make a commitment before the early signing day on Nov. 11, which is also her 18th birthday.
Fudd is good friends with freshman Paige Bueckers (the two even stayed together and trained for seven weeks this summer) and, like Bueckers, is considered another once-in-a-generation type of talent, which, yes, means there is two such talents in one generation.
“She tells me deep down she wants what’s best for me, but I know she just wants me to come to UConn,” Fudd said, saying what we all feel.
The Huskies have three other commitments in the class and have room for two more scholarships (though Geno Auriemma rarely uses that many): Massachusetts guard Caroline Ducharme (No. 5), New York forward Amari DeBerry (No. 15) and Maryland forward Saylor Poffenbarger (No. 30).
FOOTBALL TEAM SOLDIERS ON: Even though canceling the season out of concern for the pandemic seemed like the cool and/or responsible thing to do in August, depending on how much your political views cloud science, many conferences have since backpedaled and returned to play. Of the 130 FBS teams, only UConn, New Mexico State and Old Dominion will sit this season out.
“I’m glad we made the decision we made,” Randy Edsall told The Hartford Courant late last week. “To me, it would have been a wasted season. We had other issues with the schedule and all that, but for what the circumstances presented, we did what was the best for our program. I just know, in talking to people, [playing] has been very, very difficult. … Two weeks ago, we had 21 guys who were missing from practice. Not because anybody tested positive, but somebody had a symptom, so they have to isolate, then they test and they test negative, but all the guys from a contact tracing standpoint are quarantined.”
As an independent, the Huskies would have lost several games and needed to scramble to find others; remember, before the decision was made, games against Illinois and Indiana were already lost. Instead, they’ll have a full fall of practices and workout sessions and then will be able to reconvene in the spring — a season lost without losses. And for the Huskies, anymore, that’s a good thing.
WELCOME TO BUBBLEVILLE, POPULATION YOU: As teams around the country scramble to play in “bubbles” that will offer some measures of protection from the coronavirus, one is being set up at Mohegan Sun, which will host as many as 40 teams when games begin late next month. There won’t be fans, but it’s possible other teams could watch the games being played, making for a more exciting atmosphere than the one at the AAC tournament.
The men will play in the Legends Classic, which also includes USC, Vanderbilt and BYU, and could schedule another game at Mohegan Sun against NC State. The women will play in the Hall of Fame Showcase, with Quinnipiac, Maine and Mississippi State, and will stick around to play Louisville a week later.
AKOK, POLLEY HAVE RETURN DATES: Although it’s possible Tyler Polley will be able to return from his torn ACL by the time the season starts, Akok Akok will need to wait a bit longer. Dan Hurley said a more realistic timeline for Akok, who tore an Achilles tendon, is Jan. 1. Rhode Island transfer Tyrese Martin, who is eligible this season, missed a week with a quad injury earlier this month but will be fine.
MEN’S HOCKEY IN THE DARK: We know the men’s hockey team won’t be playing this season at the XL Center, its home since the start of the 2014-15 season, but not much else is clear. Hockey East hasn’t yet said when it plans to sanction a season, though coach Mike Cavanaugh told The UConn Blog that there will be no nonconference games. The team is hoping to be able to practice together this week for the first time. It has been divided into two 12-player units to adhere to protocols.
