Tiny ray of sunshine for Geno Auriemma as UConn player takes "step in the right direction" nearing return from injury

Geno Auriemma gave an encouraging injury update regarding the condition of UConn guard Caroline Ducharme. Auriemma shared the news about her possible return in the press conference following UConn's win over Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Saturday.

Ducharme missed the majority of the 2023-24 NCAA season after suffering head and neck injuries. She started in UConn's first four games of the campaign, averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds during that stretch. The last time she saw action for the Huskies was in a game against Minnesota in November 2023.

A reporter asked Auriemma about Ducharme after the junior guard was seen warming up before the game against Creighton. The UConn coach was encouraged by what he saw.

"That’s a step in the right direction," Auriemma said (Timestamp 11:21). "She practices as much as she can, whenever she can, and I know she’s been anxious to take the next step, whatever that next step is."

"And today that next step was, ‘Let’s go down the court and give it a try and see how it works.’ I’m sure she was probably the most excited that you can imagine. So let’s see where this takes us. See what the next step beyond this one is."

When healthy, Caroline Ducharme has proven to be one of the key players for Geno Auriemma. She averaged 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists through 31 games in her freshman season with the Huskies.

She remained a solid contributor in her sophomore year, averaging 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists through 23 games in the 2022-23 season.

Injury woes easing for Geno Auriemma's UConn with Paige Bueckers back in full flight

Paige Bueckers made Geno Auriemma and UConn fans worry when she suffered a knee injury in the Huskies' game against the Villanova Wildcats on Jan. 5. Luckily for Auriemma and the rest of the Huskies' organization, Bueckers' injury wasn't deemed serious. She only missed two games after spraining her left knee.

Bueckers is back to full fitness and has been in terrific form since her return. She is averaging 18.3 points on 56.3% shooting in the Huskies' last four games.

Bueckers helped the No. 6 UConn Huskies record a 72-61 victory over Creighton, scoring 22 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists.