“Waiting for the right time, welcome back ladies”: UConn fans elated as Paige Bueckers’ 2 teammates get closer to return from injury 

The Paige Bueckers-led UConn Huskies returned to action on Sunday against the Providence Friars. The team struggled with injuries last season but was pushed to the Final Four due to the efforts of Bueckers, Nika Muhl, Aaliyah Edwards and KK Arnold.

While the Huskies added players from the 2024 class and the transfer portal, they still had some players on the sidelines, including Azzi Fudd, Aubrey Griffin, Ayanna Patterson and Carolina Ducharme. Fudd made a return in late November and it looks like Griffin and Ducharme could be joining her soon.

The Huskies posted photos on Instagram of the team's practice and the two guards were seen on the floor, leaving fans excited.

UConn fans expressed their desire to see Aubrey Griffin and Caroline Ducharme in action, with one writing:

"Omg yes this what I'm waiting for at the right time welcome back ladies yessssssss."

Here are some more reactions from fans:

Fan reactions to Aubrey Griffin and Caroline Ducharme (Image Credits: Instagram/@uconwbb)

Despite the expectations, Griffin and Ducharme did not play on Sunday and will still take time in rehabilitation. However, fans can still hold out hope for Aubrey Griffin as UConn coach Geno Auriemma gave an update on the guard's return.

"We're still waiting on Aubrey so that's going to impact the lineup somehow," Auriemma said. "The way it looks right now at the earliest middle of January."

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Paige Bueckers and UConn Huskies wrap up 2024 with blowout win

Paige Bueckers is playing her final season with the Huskies and is hoping to end it with a national championship win. Although UConn had a great start, they lost their first game against Notre Dame and suffered another loss in a heavyweight clash against the USC Trojans before Christmas break.

This has called for doubts about the Huskies' ability to go on a deeper post-season run. Fans also called out players for not stepping up to the task, leaving Paige Bueckers to take the load in all the games.

With the return to playing against Providence on Sunday, the Huskies won 67-41 in which Bueckers led with 23 points, four rebounds and four assists. The senior guard is averaging 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

The Huskies will visit the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee on New Year's Day for the tip-off against the Marquette Golden Eagles.