Geno Auriemma seems optimistic despite Azzi Fudd's struggles with UConn: "When she gets her legs under her, things will get even better"

Geno Auriemma handed Azzi Fudd her starting role on the UConn Huskies, relegating Ashlynn Shade to the bench in front of the sellout crowd against Providence on Sunday. It was Fudd's first game in the main cast after a knee sprain on Dec. 7 forced her to miss three consecutive games. Even though she returned against USC, she was restricted to eight minutes off the bench.

Fudd showed signs of rust as she scored just eight points in 24 minutes while shooting 3 of 11 (27.3%) from the floor and 2 of 6 from the 3-point line. However, Auriemma is optimistic that the senior guard will be back to her sharpshooting ways in no time.

"It's good to get her back, good to get her out there and when she gets her legs under I think things will get even better," Auriemma said (18:54).

Geno Auriemma also addressed the recurring speed bumps in Azzi Fudd's basketball journey, citing that Fudd's struggles stem from less game time and more practice and rehab.

"I think athletes like routine, they like to know what's next and how do I prepare for what's next and when you're not sure, it's difficult," he said."

"Then you end up with more practice time than you actually do game time... hopefully it's the last time we'll have to go through anything like that. When she's in the game, it's always a threat, she might go four for four in a spurt and put the game away. So, it'll come it's just going to take a little bit of time."

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There have been positive signs in Azzi Fudd's game

Azzi Fudd only played two games last season as she injured her knee in Nov. 2023. It was a huge blow to her collegiate career and overall competitive experience as she had also missed 22 games in her sophomore year due to a separate knee issue.

However, it only took Fudd three games this season to post a high-efficiency performance. She scored 18 points in 28 minutes against then-No. 18 Ole Miss Rebels on Nov. 27. Even though she tweaked her knee after 10 days, she was in the middle of her biggest game of the season. Azzi Fudd shot 60% from the floor to score 18 points in just 18 minutes against Louisville on Dec. 7.

With that, Fudd can be expected to have instrumental outings in no time. In her return against Providence, she made back-to-back 3-pointers in the opening quarter to help UConn post a significant 20-point lead. Her chemistry with Paige Bueckers also stood out during the game as they traded 3-pointers off each other in the second and third quarters.