UConn’s women’s basketball program is back up and running after missing two weeks of their season. However, due to positive COVID tests within the program, the Huskies missed their first three games of the season.
Geno Auriemma and his team made their 2020-21 debut on Dec. 12, 2020, in their game against UMass Lowell. The game resulted in a husky win, 79-23.
So far, UConn is undefeated with their 5-0 record despite their big move from the American Athletic Conference (AAC) to the Big East conference; four out of the five games are conference wins.
Along with the 2020-21 team making their debut, Paige Bueckers played her first game as a Husky.
Bueckers has made a name for herself at Uconn. According to theuconnblog, she is leading the team in points (18.2), assists (29), and 3-point percentage (41.7%).
With her high stats, Bueckers was named Big East Freshman of the Week for two weeks in a row. She was also named to the Lieberman Award Watch List earlier this season.
Paige had much hype before entering Uconn and throughout their first five games; Bueckers has shown why she deserves the hype.
“Bueckers had high expectations with all the attention she received after arriving at UConn, but she’s more than lived up to the hype in the first five games of the season,” said Megan Gauer, a WBB writer for theuconnblog.
Oh Wait, There’s More
Bueckers is among five other freshmen on the roster: Autumn Chassion, Aaliyah Edwards, Nika Mühl, Mir McLean, and Piath Gabriel. The two other standout freshmen include Edwards and McLean.
Edwards is a 6-foot-3 forward from Ontario, Canada. She is considered the “big man” for the UConn Huskies basketball program.
“Edwards brings a physicality that UConn hasn’t had in a long, long time,” said Daniel Connolly, a writer for theuconnblog.
On the other hand, McLean is a 5-foot-11 forward from Baltimore, Maryland. McLean may be considered a “small post” but she knows how to contribute down low.
“She’s phenomenal at crashing the offensive glass and has come down with the rebound on a quarter of the Huskies’ missed shots while on the floor,” said Gauer.
Overall, Auriemma and his staff have a great freshman class to work with and develop.
Upcoming Schedule
As conference play continues, the Huskies will also face No. 7 Baylor on Jan. 7th. Later on, in the month they will face Tennessee, but those are not considered their biggest game of the season.
On Feb. 8, 2021, UConn is set to play No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks–hoping both teams maintain their health throughout the season. Baylor, Tennessee, and South Carolina are the only future non-conference games for the Huskies.
With the Huskies’ basketball program to a great start on the season, their fans are excited for what’s in store. If UConn continues to play their regular season as strong as they started; their next stop will be the NCAA tournament.
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