For Azzi Fudd, it had been a long time since she had a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. She has suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season among other several injuries over the years that sidelined her for all but two games.
The UConn guard made her highly anticipated return to action on Sunday afternoon, helping her Huskies team dominate Arkansas State 103-34 in a performance that declared she is truly back.
In the press conference following the game, Azzi Fudd told reporters that she was grateful to make her return to the tournament after all the hardships she endured since arriving at UConn.
“I had a lot of fun, and it felt great to be out there, especially [since] it’s tournament time, it’s been a while. I’m so grateful,” Fudd said. “It was so much fun. Especially being at home, getting the great crowd, the great fans. The atmosphere never fails here, so it was amazing.”
The Huskies guard noted that the team moved the ball well offensively, with everyone being able to capitalize on open shots. She said it was fun to see her teammates playing with confidence as far as shooting goes.
“Before I was very—I didn’t want to risk missing the steal and then my man getting by me and having to make all my teammates scramble, so I played very reserved,” Fudd said. “So this year, I just feel like from the beginning—Coach (Geno Auriemma) kind of challenged me to take more risks.”
The Huskies guard added, “I try to get in the passing lane more, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do, and I’ve gotten more comfortable with it,” Fudd said. “So just being aggressive today, trying to get in the passing lane. He (Auriemma) said it before, ‘You’ll be surprised how many times they just throw it right in your hand.’”
In the Huskies’ first NCAA Tournament appearance in their school’s history, the red-hot Fudd led the utter defeat of the Red Wolves, finishing with 27 points, a career-high six steals, a career-high-tying seven assists, and two blocks.
Geno Auriemma wants to put Azzi Fudd in positions to succeed
UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma said during the postgame conference that their game against Arkansas State may have been the best way to come back to the NCAA tournament for Azzi Fudd.
In his 39 seasons at UConn, Auriemma has coached players who missed the tournament for a couple of seasons and tried to make up for lost time when they returned. For Fudd, Auriemma intended to put her in positions where she could do what she does best and still be comfortable.
“I think it will be drastically different Monday night. Those opportunities won’t come as easy. That doesn’t mean they won’t be there, but they won’t come as easy,” Auriemma said. “So it’s great that she’s been able to experience that kind of confidence this early in the tournament. Hopefully it carries over to the next game.”
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