Geno Auriemma, Azzi Fudd praise KK Arnold for 1 key improvement this season after UConn beats Georgetown

Geno Auriemma and Azzi Fudd showed love to KK Arnold after the UConn Huskies recorded a 73-55 win over the Georgetown Hoyas at Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Auriemma and Fudd praised the Huskies substitute in a postgame chat with reporters, highlighting one key improvement that the sophomore guard has made this season.

Auriemma and Fudd identified Arnold's confidence as the main difference between her freshman and sophomore seasons.

"The confidence that she's playing with right now is what's way different from last year," Auriemma said.

"I feel like she's grown a lot confidence wise and as a leader," Fudd said.

Auriemma and Fudd's comments may come as a surprise considering KK Arnold's numbers are down compared to last season. She averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals through 39 games for the Huskies in her freshman season. Arnold made 33 starts for UConn in the 2023-24 NCAA season after a spate of injuries ravaged the Huskies' campaign.

She has yet to start a single game for the Huskies this season, with Arnold coming off the bench in UConn's first 17 outings. She's averaging 5.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds. She has scored in double figures just thrice this season.

KK Arnold provides bench support in win vs Georgetown

KK Arnold started the game against Georgetown on the bench despite the absence of Paige Bueckers, who injured her left knee against the Villanova Wildcats. Auriemma has opted not to tinker with Arnold's role and that paid dividends in the game against the Hoyas.

She stuffed the stat sheet, recording seven points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 22 minutes of action. Arnold displayed perfection, going 3-for-3 with her field goal attempts. It was the fourth consecutive game that Arnold has shot above 50% in a contest.

KK Arnold (#2) of the UConn Huskies is defended by Julia Garcia Roig (#4) of the Xavier Musketeers during the first half of their NCAA game at the XL Center on January 8, 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut. Photo: Getty

Arnold accounted for half of the Huskies' bench points against Georgetown. Azzi Fudd led the scoring for No. 7 UConn with 21 points. It was her second consecutive 20-point game, with Fudd picking up the scoring slack in Bueckers' absence. She shot 8-for-13 from the floor and went 5-for-8 from the 3-point area.

Sarah Strong added 16 points for the Huskies, who remained unbeaten in conference play. They have won their first six games against Big East opponents. With this victory, UConn improved its record to 15-2.