December 13, 2024
Locked On Women’s Basketball: Mark Zanetto on UConn-Notre Dame, the season so far and what’s to come
By The Next
The Huskies suffered a 79-68 loss to Notre Dame, which exposed some of their weaknesses
On Friday, Locked On UConn’s Mark Zanetto joined host Natalie Heavren to chat about Notre Dame’s win over UConn, the season so far and what’s still to come for the Huskies, including the start of BIG EAST play on Sunday. Zanetto highlights Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong’s success this season, provides a UConn injury update and talks about what UConn is missing when Azzi Fudd is on the bench.
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On Thursday, the Huskies suffered a 79-68 loss to Notre Dame, which exposed some of their weaknesses. “[UConn has] had lapses against teams like Holy Cross or Fairleigh Dickinson, but last night there was a lack of intensity,” said Zanetto on the podcast. He pointed out that defensive breakdowns, such as going under screens on Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, contributed to momentum shifts that UConn couldn’t recover from. The absence of key players like Azzi Fudd has only compounded these struggles, and it’s clear the Huskies are still trying to find their rhythm.
One of the bright spots for UConn has been freshman Sarah Strong, who has exceeded expectations. Zanetto described her as having “a little bit of everything” with the ability to shoot, drive and pass effectively. He also highlighted her exceptional court “pace,” noting how she has been one of the team’s most impactful players. Despite the team’s struggles, particularly against top-tier competition like Notre Dame, Strong’s all-around contributions have provided hope for the Huskies’ future, both in BIG EAST play and beyond. However, UConn’s ability to succeed in the long term hinges on Paige Bueckers stepping up more consistently and the team overcoming its current injury woes.
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