Geno Auriemma Understands Why Azzi Fudd 'Overthinks' in UConn Return From Injury

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma recognizes that Azzi Fudd is "overthinking" on the court right now.
Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) dribbles during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) dribbles during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images / Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

The No. 7 ranked UConn Huskies women's basketball team produced a nice 67-41 win over Providence on Sunday, which brings their record to 11-2 on the season.

The win was standout guard Azzi Fudd's second game back since returning from a knee sprain she suffered against the Louisville Cardinals on December 7, and her first time returning to the starting lineup since that sprain.

However, Fudd struggled to get anything going Sunday, as she finished the game with 8 points on 3 of 11 shooting to go along with 1 assist and 1 steal in 24 minutes played. This comes after Fudd scored 0 points in 8 minutes played in UConn's December 21 game against USC.

Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma was asked about Fudd shaking off the rust when speaking with the media postgame, and had some interesting things to say.

"Yeah, it does, it takes a lot of time," Auriemma said about Fudd (who missed nearly all of the 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL) returning to form, per the UConn Huskies YouTube account. "And it takes a lot of game action. And you see... moments where it's what it could be.

"But I know a lot of times for kids early on in their careers, a lot of thinking about [things], and I know that's a big part of [it]," Auriemma continued. "I know she overthinks things... she overthinks things, and when you're busy thinking, it's hard to play. And if you can't think, you can't play. So basketball is a funny game that way.

"So right now, her head is getting in the way of her game, and I'm hopeful that... putting her in the starting lineup may help her in that regard," he added.

Given how great Fudd can be, her returning to her lethal ways would be a huge boost for the Huskies.


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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.