Geno Auriemma gets real on starting Jana El-Alfy over Ice Brady and the "challenge" for the sophomore's role at UConn

Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies are 12-2 overall following their win over Marquette on New Year's Day. Redshirt freshman Jana El-Alfy made her second career start in place of senior Ice Brady, and she made the most of the opportunity with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

Ahead of the No. 7 Huskies' road matchup against Villanova on Sunday afternoon, Auriemma met with the media via Zoom video call to discuss the team's preparation and much more.

A reporter asked about the starting lineup changes, specifically what Auriemma and the coaching staff are hoping to get out of Jana in her new role while shifting Brady's to coming off the bench.

"I really don't worry about people's roles, to be honest with you," Geno Auriemma said (3:30). "I just try to go with what I think is the right thing at the time."

"There isn't really one over the other. I just think that each player has to go into practice every day and figure out, 'What are my contributions going to be?' And the more those contributions are evident, the more you can see them more."

The 11-time national champion coach also touched on Ice Brady's role and the expectations for the sophomore guard.

"When you're in a situation where you're trying to play a lot more players, they have to be productive and that's the challenge for them," Geno added (4:52). "I told ice after the Iowa State game, that was probably one of the finer defensive games I've seen from a big kid."

"So there's opportunities where Ice can help us and do certain things, but that has to be something that's consistent and it has to fit in. You can only play five players at a time."

Will Jana El-Alfy start for Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies against Villanova?

Jana El-Alfy arrived at UConn as an intriguing international prospect in 2023 but was sidelined due to an Achilles injury her first year. Now healthy, the 6-foot-5 native of Cairo, Egypt, has already started two games for the Huskies this season.

Geno Auriemma started Ice Brady in the first 12 games, but shifted to El-Alfy in the last two following the Huskies' loss to USC on Dec. 21. Jana played 10 minutes against Providence, scoring 2 points. Against Marquette on Wednesday, she played 15 minutes and recorded 10 points and 4 rebounds.

It looks like El-Alfy may get the starting nod again on Sunday against Villanova at Finneran Pavilion.