Women's Fastbreak On SI

Geno Auriemma Updates Azzi Fudd's Status for UConn and USC Showdown

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma addressed whether fans will see Azzi Fudd return to the court against USC tomorrow.
Grant Young|
Dec 15, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma watches from the sideline as they take on the Georgetown Hoyas at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma watches from the sideline as they take on the Georgetown Hoyas at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Saturday, December 21 game between the UConn Huskies and USC Trojans basketball team is perhaps the most highly anticipated contest on the NCAA women's college basketball schedule for the rest of this regular season.

In addition to these two teams having deep and talented rosters, UConn and USC boast several superstars that make for must-see TV.

UConn superstar sharpshooter Azzi Fudd suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the Huskies' December 7 game against the Louisville Cardinals. Fudd — who missed almost all of the 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL in her knee — was defending when she fell awkwardly after getting screened. She then went straight to the locker room.

Luckily, the worst-case scenario for this knee injury was avoided, as UConn head coach Geno Auriemma revealed on December 10 that, "Azzi Fudd suffered a minor sprain to her knee and is likely out this week. After that, she’ll be day-to-day".

Fudd hasn't played since. And there hadn't been an update on her status until Auriemma was asked about her chances to face USC on Friday.

"I think the word is... questionable," Auriemma said, per X user @Yourbestbreak. He then added, "Probable, doubtful?... Doable. It can happen.

"I'm saying there's a chance, yeah," Auriemma added when a reporter asked if he's saying there's a chance she plays. "I know she wants to play."

This isn't the clear confirmation of her return fans wanted to hear from Auriemma. However, it's certainly better than him saying that there's no way Fudd will play on Saturday.

Regardless, it seems Fudd will be a game-time decision for tomorrow's contest.

Published | Modified
Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.

Share on XFollow GrvntYoung
Home/News