UConn played host to St. John’s Wednesday night and were not very kind to their guests. Whatever hopes the Red Storm had of getting an upset never made landfall, and the storm dissipated by the time it got to Gampel Pavilion.
The Huskies were prepared and started the game with a more aggressive style of play than we’ve seen lately. From the get-go, Azzi Fudd was on fire. Since Fudd’s return, this game was what people had been waiting for. Scoring a career-high 34 points including 8 – 14 from three, this is the player WNBA scouts want to see when it comes time for the 2025 draft.
Even though players like Sarah Strong, Kaitlyn Chen, and Ashlynn Shade had low-scoring games, Fudd, Paige Bueckers, and Aubrey Griffin supplied the bulk of the scoring. Bueckers scored 16 points in 28 minutes and sat for the fourth quarter. Griffin is getting her basketball legs back, and game by game she has had more energy and simply looks like she is having more fun.
HUSKIES WIN@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/wBrqttw2iM
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 13, 2025
St. John’s, which is a good defensive team, at times gave the Huskies some problems, but they could not withstand the UConn defense or the pace of the game. During the non-conference period St. John’s went 10 – 1 but has since gone 3 – 10, sitting at 10th in the Big East. Shooting just 25.5%, 5 – 23 from three, and 22 turnovers, there just wasn’t much they could do against the UConn attack.
Looking Ahead to UConn Versus South Carolina
UConn is still without Ice Brady, and Morgan Cheli is out with an injury and no timetable for her return. Having Griffin back is proving to be a welcome addition to the line-up. Given the upcoming game on Sunday versus South Carolina, they are going to need everything and everyone to be at their best. Don’t expect Bueckers to have the luxury of sitting out the fourth quarter.
Barring some major disaster with the top four teams in the rankings, it is very likely UConn will enter the tournament as a two-seed. Coach Geno Auriemma has said on numerous occasions that seeding doesn’t matter to him. It is just about going out and winning the game against whatever opponent it might be. But South Carolina, even more so than their losses to Notre Dame, USC, and Tennessee, will be the best indicator of where they are as a team.
Up next for St. John’s is a home game where they will welcome Butler. Let’s see if they can find a way to right their ship and end their season on a positive note.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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