Huskies, Bulldogs in East Conference Play Wednesday

UConn's Olivia Nelson-Ododa (20) tries for a layup around three Butler defenders in January 2021 Credit: Stephen Slade

It is a battle of the woof-packs this Wednesday when the UConn Huskies travel to Indianapolis to take on Butler. The Huskies won both meetings last season, the only two times the teams have met. Butler has dealt with Covid issues in their program since mid-December. This game will be a compelling game for both teams. The question to ask is if UConn continues their Big East win streak.

The UConn Huskies are currently 2-0 in Big East play, winning their second game on Sunday. They are second in the conference falling behind DePaul who is 4-0. The Huskies took down the reigning Creighton Blue Jays who began a 5-0 streak in the conference till they played the Huskies. UConn defeated Seton Hall in their first Big East match on December 3rd.

The Butler Bulldogs have had to grapple with the thrash of their Big East competition, but also in non-conference play. The Bulldogs are currently 1-11 on the season and 0-3 in conference matchups. Butler, unlike many other schools this season, has only played one Associated Press ranked team. They lost their season opener to now #6 Indiana. UConn will be the only other ranked opponent they take on this season.

Taking a dive into last season, the Huskies beat the Bulldogs 103-35 in their first-ever meeting on January 19th. Senior Olivia Nelson-Ododa led the victory with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Five Huskies, including Nelson-Ododa, scored in the double-digits. Senior Christyn Williams and junior Aubrey Griffin each added 17 points. Griffin also contributed 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Griffin will be out for the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery on January 10th. She was not able to play any games this season.

Aubrey Griffin (44) takes a shot from the paint without a defender last January. Credit: Stephen Slade

Senior Evina Westbrook was a hot-shooter in their huge win over the Bulldogs. She scored 14 points, going 6-7 in field goals and 2-3 on the arch. Sophomore Paige Bueckers added 13 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and earned 4 steals.

In the second meeting of last season, the Huskies secured a 97-68 win on February 27th. The Huskies lead in scoring each quarter but Geno did not use his whole bench that time around. Sophomore Aaliyah Edwards was the leading scorer with a career-high 24 points, adding 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. If Edwards can pull off an impressive game again against Butler, that would outstanding. Bueckers was the second-leading scorer with 20 points. She added 14 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and a single block.

The Huskies still have some work to do before this game. Coach Geno Auriemma spoke in post-game conference, after their win against Creighton, that his players need to have more of an offensive lead in the first half. Senior Evina Westbrook struggled the most offensively only scoring two points after taking a mere four shots the whole game. Freshman Caroline Ducharme held another impressive game alongside senior Dorka Juhász.

Sophomore Nika Mühl made her first appearance Sunday against Creighton after missing the last three games. With limited playing minutes, Auriemma was brash to mention how Mühl needs to understand how fouls will be called against her. She earned four within three quarters with no points. Mühl did not have the same amount of practice as her teammates did coming off her ongoing foot injury.

UConn's Piath Gabriel goes for a layup around Butler's players last January. Credit: Stephen Slade

Who are the Huskies still missing? Freshman Amari Deberry did warm up and gear up for the Creighton game, but Geno had mentioned on Saturday that she would not be playing. DeBerry was one of the four players who had Covid after returning from Christmas break and was also dealing with personal things. Sophomore Piath Gabriel has also not played most of this season. Geno mentioned around the Louisville game that there were some academic issues that were being resolved.

Freshman Azzi Fudd will begin practicing this week after sitting on the bench since December with her ongoing foot injury. Paige Bueckers will get x-rays done early this week to see how her knee is healing from surgery on December 13th. She is only 4 weeks post-operation and still has roughly 4-5 more weeks till she knows if she can return in mid-February.

The Huskies will travel to Indianapolis for their third conference game on Wednesday. Tip-off is at 7 pm on SNY or Fox Sports Online.