Huskies Make Statement in Big East Return
The Story: Same old conference, same old result. The women’s basketball team played its first Big East game in more than seven years last night and kept up its torrid start to the season with a 92-65 walloping of Seton Hall on the road.
BUECKERS BEDAZZLES: It’s become apparent we’re going to quickly run out of puns and witticisms to describe the play of freshman world-beater Paige Bueckers. She followed up her Saturday debut by scoring 25 points off 11-of-14 shooting and had four rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes, looking every bit the part of the exceptional player she’s supposed to be.
https://twitter.com/UConnWBB/status/1339011612519370753
Her highlight was a sequence at the end of the third quarter when she ran nearly the length of the court, sank a lay-up, drew a foul and made the free throw. (How big was it? The state’s two big newspapers decided to lead with it.) Her wizardry was apparent on her no-look passes and she was constantly in the right position. Her only negative? Four fouls, which Geno Auriemma was, of course, quick to criticize. “You’re not going to beat anybody being on the bench,” the wet blanket said.
VETERANS PULL THROUGH: After a so-so performance against UMass-Lowell, Christyn Williams had 21 points on 9-of-19 shooting. She made five shots and had 10 points in the opener … and then made five shots and had 10 points in the first quarter last night. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, meanwhile, dominated in the third quarter and had 16 points and 10 rebounds in her first of what will likely be several double-doubles this season. They were both aggressive from the start, and it was a welcome sight.
DON’T FORGET EDWARDS: One player who may get lost in Bueckers’ hype this season is fellow freshman Aaliyah Edwards, who played a solid 18 minutes and scored 17 points with eight rebounds. She’s an instinctive, dominant rim protector who has the athleticism and size to make an impact inside, and we’re giddy that she’ll be riding shotgun with her teammate for four years.
STILL SOME SLOPPINESS: The Huskies exerted their will, yes, but they had 20 turnovers, quite a few of which were traveling calls. They also shot only 6-for-22 (27.3 percent) from beyond the 3-point line and 54.9 percent overall. Bueckers, Nelson-Ododa and Anna Makurat each had three turnovers; Seton Hall had only six steals. And the Pirates’ 5-foot-6 guard, Lauren Park-Lane, gashed UConn for 19 first-half points on the way to a game-high 29. We’re not trying to demand perfection from Day 1, but … it’s Day 3. Get it together.
WHAT DID GENO SAY? “If you’re on [Bueckers’] team, all you have to do is run around with your hands up all the time and you’ll probably score in double figures. It’s rare that you have a kid that can see that much of the floor.”
UP NEXT: Things stay frenetic for the Huskies, who will turn around and host another conference foe in Creighton tomorrow night.
Morning Reads
TO THE FUTURE: The football team (remember those guys?) is expected to add a least a dozen players as the early signing period begins today. (The UConn Blog)
HOCKEY CHANGES: A chaotic season requires flexibility, and so Hockey East instituted a number of changes to the scheduling this season that include all “eligible” men’s and women’s hockey teams making the conference tournament. (Hockey East Online)
