The UConn Huskies have sent a clear message through their exhibition game, taking down Fort Hays State by a whopping 89-49. With Paige Bueckers back on the court and Azzi Fudd expected to return midseason, expectations are sky-high for this team. But even with all this talent, Coach Geno Auriemma still has some doubts about the inexperienced roster. And sophomore star Ashlynn Shade stepped up to address the coach’s concerns.

When asked that the Huskies coach has talked a lot about the young players or inexperienced players, but she looks really comfortable, Shade answered, “Definitely, stepping into my sophomore year feels a little bit more comfortable just ‘cause I’m used to the environment, the atmosphere, and practices.” 

When injuries took down guards Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme, Shade stepped in to make her mark. Across 38 games, she averaged 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists to rank third on the team. Then in a game against Jackson State in March, the 20-year-old put up a career-high 26 points, the most by a Husky in their NCAA Tournament debut. So, starting 33 games and showing up when the team needed her the most, the 2024 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year knows a thing or two about the experience and what to expect.

But she isn’t letting this tag her a veteran, all settled in. “Obviously, I’m still young, so I still get those nerves like everyone else, but I definitely feel a lot more comfortable, just a little bit older—not super old, but just old enough,” she said during the postgame conference. 

This confession came after the 70-year-old coach went pretty vocal about the potential challenges facing the team this season, particularly concerning his players’ inexperience. 

“I think the inconsistency is because of inexperience,” he explained. “They just haven’t been in those situations enough times, or the inconsistency because, mentally, we need to learn how to focus better.”And his concerns are justified, especially with nearly two-thirds of the Huskies’ roster being untested in high-pressure situations.

He added, “The inexperienced part, that’s nothing we can do about that.” So, even with the return of star players like Bueckers, the coach knows they will need to step up. Well, Shade proved that she is ready to rise to the occasion during that exhibition game. 

Ashlynn Shade shines in the exhibition game 

As she said in the postgame conference, she is getting comfortable on the court and hitting scores. In Sunday’s match, she finished with an impressive 15 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field, and also brought down three rebounds. The 20-year-old’s performance was just what the Huskies needed to build momentum heading into the season. Leading second after Bueckers in the scoring, she showed she was not just here to fill a spot or lend a helping hand. 

“I just really tried to emphasize being aggressive on defense, especially because that’s what Coach emphasized last year to me, just being more aggressive, getting in those passing lanes,” she reflected. “I didn’t even realize I had four steals, but that’s just a big emphasis that Coach has continually said, so I think I executed that a little bit more today.”

As the game progressed, Ashlynn found her rhythm, and the second quarter saw her score five unanswered points during an 8-0 run. With Bueckers leading the charge, it’s refreshing to see another player stepping up. Let’s see if Shade can keep this momentum going.