Uconn Gives Updates On Long-injured Players Before Villanova Clash

The UConn Huskies soon return location for yet different matchup. At 17–0 wide and a cleanable 8–0 In Big East play, nan Huskies will soon big Villanova Wildcats astatine Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies are coming disconnected a 95–54 triumph complete Creighton and now person 55 consecutive convention games, scoring 90-plus points 9 times.

Going into nan crippled against Vilanova, nan Huskies will beryllium down 2 players, pinch a 3rd nearing return. Geno Auriemma talked to nan property up of nan crippled and went connected to speak astir redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy’s status. Alfy is getting closer, having returned to workouts this week aft suffering a concussion successful believe connected January 6.

“Jana has done a mates of workouts, truthful we’re benignant of really adjacent pinch her,” Auriemma said. “Maybe adjacent time aliases two.”

Meanwhile, things weren’t arsenic bully pinch Ice Brady and Morgan Cheli. Brady, a redshirt inferior forward, hasn’t played since early November owed to inflammation successful her correct knee. It was nan aforesaid rumor that kept her disconnected nan tribunal successful her freshman play successful 2022–23.

Cheli, meanwhile, has yet to suit up this twelvemonth aft ankle room ended her freshman run past February. Asked if he still expects either backmost this season, Auriemma simply said, “No, I’m not. That’s why if they are, I’ll beryllium pleasantly surprised.”

The Huskies will person astatine slightest 12 players disposable for nan Villanova game. The Huskies lead nan federation pinch 24.4 assists per crippled and person recorded 20 aliases much assists successful 16 consecutive contests.

Villanova is sitting astatine 17–3 and 7–1 successful convention play aft an 85–55 triumph complete Providence. The Wildcats are led by Jasmine Bascoe’s 17.4 points per crippled and coached by Denise Dillon, now successful her sixth season.

Still, history leans heavy successful favour of Storrs. UConn is 47–18 all-time against Villanova, and past saw nan Wildcats successful nan 2025 Big East Tournament semifinals, wherever Sarah Strong led nan way pinch 20 points and 16 rebounds successful nan game. This time, she is coming disconnected an 18-point, 13-rebound, six-assist, and five-steal crippled against Creighton.

What’s Next for nan Huskies?

Once nan Villanova crippled is over, nan roadworthy gets much demanding. On January 19, UConn hosts nan Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Now, that’s a rivalry that has swung backmost and distant for nearly 3 decades. Notre Dame has won nan past 3 meetings, including a 79–68 determination successful South Bend successful December,.

The Huskies are besides 5–5 complete nan past 10 matchups. With a 23–4 location grounds against nan Irish all-time, Gampel Pavilion gives a chance to flip nan momentum. After Notre Dame, location are roadworthy trips to Georgetown and Seton Hall earlier Xavier comes to town.

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