Women's Fastbreak On SI

UConn Fans Forecast Azzi Fudd Suiting Up vs USC Based on Pregame Hairstyle

UConn Huskies superstar Azzi Fudd is wearing braids before Saturday's USC game, which has fans hopeful.

Grant Young

Dec 7, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) reacts after scoring a three pointer 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) reacts after scoring a three pointer during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images / Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

The UConn Huskies women's basketball team is playing an extremely compelling game against JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans on Saturday.

While this contest between two 2025 NCAA National Championship contenders is guaranteed to be star-studded, it will be even more so for UConn if superstar sharpshooter Azzi Fudd plays in the game.

Fudd is currently considered a game-time decision because of a knee sprain she suffered during a game against the Louisville Cardinals earlier this month.

When asked about Fudd's availability for the USC game on Friday, Huskies legendary head coach Geno Auriemma said, "I think the word is... questionable," per X user @Yourbestbreak.

"Probable, doubtful?... Doable. It can happen," he added.

"I'm saying there's a chance, yeah," Auriemma added when a reporter asked if he's saying there's a chance Fudd plays. "I know she wants to play."

Less than two hours before the game begins, there is still no confirmation from Auriemma or anyone else about whether Fudd is indeed going to play on Saturday.

However, the UConn Huskies women's basketball X account posted a photo of Fudd warming up. And since Fudd is wearing "gameday" braids in the photo, Huskies fans are convinced this means Fudd is going to make her return.

"Gameday braids for Azzi?" The UConn Weekly reporter Daniel Connolly wrote in a response to the photo.

"AZZI FUDD GAME DAY BRAIDS," added another fan.

A third wrote, "OMG AZZI GAME DAY BRAIDS ITS REALLY (POSSIBLY) HAPPENING😭🥳🥳".

It has since been confirmed that Azzi Fudd is indeed playing in Saturday's game. Time will tell whether Auriemma inserts her into the starting lineup or is more cautious in bringing her back to action.

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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.

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