Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies got handed one of the most glaring reality checks of the season in Hartford. The powerhouse faced No. 7 USC in a much-anticipated rematch of last year’s Elite Eight thriller. But this time, things didn’t go as planned. USC walked away with a 72-70 win, and Paige Bueckers & Co. were left wondering what went wrong on their home court. Well, Geno Auriemma sort of knows it.

“We have to get better,” the coach demanded bluntly. He didn’t mince words, calling out the lack of execution, especially in the first half. “The execution part in the first half was just as bad as I’ve seen in a few years here in Connecticut,” he admitted.

 The team didn’t look like itself early on, struggling to find a rhythm and letting USC build an 18-point lead. Auriemma praised their second-half effort but didn’t sugarcoat his disappointment with their lackluster start. “Really proud of the team that came out of the locker room to play in the second half… but kind of disappointed and not at all happy with the team that came out to start the game,” he expressed.

“We have to figure out the difference between those two teams,” the head coach said during the post-game press conference. And the first half was actually rough. UConn’s defense looked flat, and their offense couldn’t get going. USC’s JuJu Watkins capitalized on every opportunity, dominating with 25 points and even throwing in a highlight-reel play where she blocked Paige Bueckers and scored on the other end. 

It wasn’t until the third quarter that UConn showed signs of life. They went on a furious rally, clawing back to take the lead at 65-64 with 4:30 left. But in the end, Watkins and USC had the last word. The biggest takeaway is the Storrs program’s inconsistency hurt them. 

They couldn’t sustain the intensity they brought in the second half. And their shooting woes didn’t help either—after hitting a school-record 20 three-pointers in their last game, they managed just six against USC. But it’s no secret that UConn isn’t at full strength. 

Key players—Azzi Fudd and Aubrey Griffin—have been sidelined with injuries, and their absence is being being felt. #35 recovering from a knee sprain, did play briefly in this game but was clearly not at her best. She logged just eight minutes and couldn’t contribute.

Meanwhile, Aubrey Griffin hasn’t returned yet, and her defensive prowess and size could have been a threat to the 19-year-old Trojans star. So, when are they returning? 

When are Azzi Fudd and Aubrey Griffin returning?

Azzi Fudd, averaging 12.8 points this season, injured her knee during the Louisville game a couple of weeks ago. She also missed the Notre Dame matchup, another game UConn lost. However, Auriemma has been cautious about her return, saying there’s always a chance she can play but emphasizing the need to manage her recovery carefully. 

Meanwhile, Griffin’s absence has been felt on both ends of the court. The senior, recovering from an ACL injury, has been ramping up her rehab. The NCAA winningest coach noted that she’s been participating in controlled scrimmages and even looked like her old self in recent practices. 

However, her return is still on hold for a few more weeks. The current plan is for her to be back in mid-January. As the Huskies wait for their stars to return, they’ll need to push through. With Azzi and Aubrey back in the mix, UConn will undoubtedly be stronger. But until then, the team has to find ways to hold it without them.