Geno Auriemma and his UConn Women’s Basketball program have achieved many accolades this season. From him and associate head coach Chris Dailey surpassing the most wins in collegiate basketball to Paige Bueckers notching her 2,000th career point, these achievements are just a testament to the program’s successful history and advocation towards woman’s sports.
On Wednesday evening, when Connecticut notched their 11th Big East win 84-58 over DePaul, the Huskies helped in setting a new attendance record at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Nearly 8,305 fans attended the Big East matchup, surpassing the previous set record by nearly 600.
It doesn’t matter what night it is, any person on our team can step up and have a great night, and it doesn’t have to be just one person.
UConn Huskies women’s basketball guard Azzi Fudd
Despite an off night from Bueckers, who only racked up eight points and was 2-10 from the field, various players stepped up to create a difference.
“It doesn’t matter what night it is, any person on our team can step up and have a great night, and it doesn’t have to be just one person,” Fudd said to the media post-game, per Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider. “I think that’s just something that’s really special about our team, and I think it’s going to help us go as far as we want to go, because we know we have so many weapons, and not one thing can stop us.”
Fudd and her teammate Kaitlyn Chen were the difference makers on the hardwood for Connecticut, each racking up a total of 17 points.
Fudd and Chen will each be integral for their squad as they are set to take on the Butler Bulldogs in Hartford on Sunday.
Butler (12-11) currently holds a record of 2-8 in the Big East conference and is recently coming off a 71-48 loss over Seton Hall. In this matchup, the Bulldogs only shot 31.7% field goal from the, as they were unable penetrate through the Pirates’ persistent defense.
Kilyn McGuff will be the player from Butler that the Huskies will have to look out for this weekend, as the guard averages 11.6 points per game.
The Bulldogs also have 6-foot-3 forward Sydney James at their disposal in their starting lineup. With this added height and depth from Butler, it is imperative for Ice Brady and Jana El Alfy to stay tenacious at the boards, as they only have 16 and seven blocks on the season, respectively.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the XL Center. All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear pink for the Play4Kay Pink game. For those who cannot make it to Hartford, this Big East battle will be streamed on SNY and the UConn Sports Network from Learfield.