Will Azzi Fudd play vs USC? Exploring the UConn star's injury status as Geno Auriemma gives update (Dec. 20)
Azzi Fudd, UConn star Paige Buckers' running mate on the backcourt, is questionable to play against the No. seven-ranked USC on Saturday. During the pre-game press conference for their highly anticipated matchup against the Trojans, coach Geno Auriemma gave an update on whether or not his senior standout will play, per UConn publisher Daniel Connolly.
"Doable. She wants to play," Auriemma said according to Connolly.
Diving deeper into the presser, Auriemma detailed further on what could Fudd's status be for the hyped-up fixture.
"I think the word is questionable," then he later said in assertion, "Doable. It can happen. I'm saying there's a chance. I know she wants to play. (3:14)
The reason for Fudd's uncertainty to play dates back to a minor knee sprain she suffered back in Dec. 7 during UConn's 85-52 victory over the Louisville Cardinals. Fudd inadvertently bumped knees with swingman Olivia Cochran, where she was seen clutching the same knee she suffered two ACL tears in that had her only play five total games last season.
Fudd did return to the game and was even able to drain a three-pointer before being logged off for the rest of the evening right after. Her final stats for the game was 18 points on 6 for 10 shooting along with four boards, two assists and a steal.
Perhaps, given the time that has passed, it's possible that the 5'11 guard has been cleared to play already and Auriemma and the rest of the coaching staff are just being cautious given Fudd's injury history.
But, with a tough matchup in JuJu Watkins and the Trojans, which some are saying could be the marquee matchup of women's basketball in this regular season, the may need Fudd's veteran presence more than ever in nabbing win No. 11.
Both the Huskies and the Trojans possess 10-1 records in the campaign thus far. Their fixture will tip off at 8 p.m. ET. on Saturday, Dec. 21, in UConn's homefloor.
If Fudd is unable to suit up, sophomore Ashlynn Shade may be tapped to perform starting duties again she was the one starting for Auriemma prior to Fudd's comeback earlier in the year.
Geno Auriemma acknowledges that UConn's fate now rests on Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong
Later on in the interview, the 11-time national champion coach talked about how pressure being taken off is a domino effect from a team's best player to the second best to the third and so on. This season, Auriemma says that Bueckers and freshman sensation Sarah Strong is doing just that for them.
"I think Sarah and Paige have seperated themselves. I think they know and everybody on our team knows that they can carry us in difficult situations, that they can bail us out when we need it, that they can make plays that have to be made. And then, everyone else has taken their turn," he explained. (4:00)
Should Fudd, an experienced player of the team, not be able to play in a big game against USC, either or even both Bueckers and Strong to deliver a much bigger leading performance.