UConn Huskies vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Match Preview – Injury Report, Starting Lineup, and Prediction

The Huskies are on the road to Marquette to face off with the Golden Eagles at the Al McGuire Center. The matchup is expected to be a squint, favoring UConn to secure the win. Coming off an 88-51 victory against DePaul, the Huskies are making the most of their journey. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles are coming off a close 66-63 defeat from Villanova, hence they will be looking to bounce back strong.

Although the Golden Eagles haven’t faced any injuries yet, however, it can be a tough tug for them while facing the Huskies who are already plagued with multiple injuries.

UConn Huskies striving through pain

Through pain comes prosperity, the Huskies are realizing every bit of this statement. This time the team has been bitten by the injury bug starting with guard and Paige Bueckers’ close friend Azzi Fudd, who tore her right ACL and medial meniscus while practicing. It was in the initial days of the season that Bueckers made a comeback this season after being in recovery for more than a year.

However, the tables turned on the Huskies with a rocky road ahead, filled with injury-stricken paths. Currently, the Huskies dealing with injuries including Aubrey Griffin, who suffered an ACL injury in her left knee. Followed by Ayanna Patterson who will be sitting out the rest of the season as she underwent surgery on her left knee to heal her patellar tendonitis.

Even if some of the players haven’t been bitten by the injury bug, they are getting infected as in the case of Nika Muhl who had to miss three games due to a foot injury.

Despite the injuries, the Huskies are making every game count and also holding on to the victories along the way. Hence, to keep things streamlined, the Huskies are to be using a four-guard starting lineup that includes freshmen KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade with Paige Bueckers, Nika Muhl, and forward Aaliyah Edwards.

Read More: Can Paige Bueckers Drag Injury-ridden UConn Out of the Pit?

Now, let’s see how the Golden Eagles are doing.

The Marquette Golden Eagles

Led by head coach Megan Duffy, the Golden Eagles ranked at #22 in the 15th January AP Top 25 Poll. The team ranks at #3 in Big East Women’s basketball. Moreover, their record stands at 15-3 overall and 4-3 in the Big East Conference.

Fortunately, the Golden Eagles have not been through an injury yet, and their starting lineup includes Marquette’s leading scorer Liza Karlen, averaging 17.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting with a field goal percentage of 53%.

Followed by Mackenzie Hare, who has been averaging 14.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, shooting with a field goal percentage of 51.1%. Next up is forward Frannie Hottinger who is averaging 8.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. She has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 50.4%. Another guard included in the lineup is Rose Nkumu, who has been averaging 7.7 points, 2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

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Waiting for a grilling matchup, it will be a fans’ delight to watch the Huskies against the Golden Eagles.