“I love this game – win or lose.” Geno Auriemma, head coach of the No. 2 ranked UConn Women’s Basketball team said ahead of their rivalry against the No. 8 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday.
Looking back at the history between the Huskies and the Fighting Irish, the two foes have most definitely had a checkered past. This includes the 2014 National Championship in Nashville, where the Huskies secured their ninth trophy.
However, the last two times these teams faced one another, Connecticut has lost both games, 74-60 in December of 2022 and 82-67 last season in January.
An important thing to note, per CT Insider, is that each of the 10 players available to play on the roster, have never played a game in South Bend, including red shirt senior Paige Bueckers.
This is the fourth straight time the Huskies have played the Fighting Irish, and the first-time graduate student Azzi Fudd and Bueckers have been available at the same time to play.
“It’s tough playing in an environment like that; the fans are going to be loud.” Bueckers said on playing in South Bend. “We’re playing against a very good team.”
Bueckers emphasized to the media that a key component heading into this game is to stay composed and to stay poised within the game and “be free and have fun.”
Connecticut is coming off a dominant 85-52 victory over Louisville on Saturday, where freshman Sarah Strong put on a stellar performance, leading her squad with 21 points eight rebounds.
In addition, Strong became the sixth player ever in the Big East to sweep the Big East Player and Freshman of the Week on Monday.
However, along with this week, Fudd suffered a minor sprain in her right knee after colliding with two players from Louisville on a defensive play.
Auriemma reports that she will be out for the week and will miss the game against the Fighting Irish and the Georgetown Hoyas on Sunday afternoon.
“Probably the first good news I’ve ever gotten from Dr. Coyner [the team physician].” Auriemma said on the news, “She [Fudd] was so excited, she [Fudd] couldn’t wait to tell me.”
Notre Dame’s back court is made up of three dynamic guards including Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles. Each of these players average around 15 points per game and play some feisty defense.
“I haven’t seen every team.” Auriemma said to media personnel on Notre Dame, “But, so far, they’re certainly the best that we’ve faced…I don’t know if anybody is better.”
It is set to be an exciting matchup in Indiana, and this marks a homecoming game for sophomore Ashlynn Shade who grew up going to games at Notre Dame.
“I think it’ll definitely be a little nostalgic, probably for my family.” Shade said to the media, “I’m just focusing on this being just another important game that we need to execute and stay locked in for.”
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Ind. Husky fans can tune in on ESPN.