On Geno Auriemma's historic night, Azzi Fudd's return provides added boost to UConn's title hopes

STORRS, Conn. — Amidst the hoopla surrounding head coach Geno Auriemma and associate coach Chris Dailey’s record-breaking win, it would be easy for things to fall through the cracks.

Azzi Fudd is not one of those things.

Originally, Fudd was supposed to be back in December, but a few days before UConn’s 85-41 win over Fairleigh-Dickinson, she came into Auriemma’s office and gave him a new date: Nov. 20. The same day UConn was set to celebrate her coach’s historic coaching milestone of 1,217 wins.

“I thought everyone was here for Azzi Fudd day,” Auriemma joked after the game. “I was happy to be a part of her celebration.”

It’s been over a year since UConn fans have seen Fudd in action, and they were more than ready for her return. Fudd has seen limited court time in her three years at UConn, playing 42 games total, but the guard has garnered support and excitement since she signed with the Huskies in 2021.

Amidst the signs for 1,217, and the sea of red shirts celebrating 40 years — the ruby anniversary — Fudd also received love from the fans. One student wore a shirt with pictures of Fudd and Paige Bueckers and the caption, “We are so back.”

A murmur of cheers broke out as Fudd approached the scorers' table to sub in for the first time. And when her name was announced, the cheers turned from a hush to an eruption.

Her first points came at the free throw line with three minutes left in the opening quarter. Fudd stepped up and drained them both.

“I just had so much nervous excitement,” Fudd said of the moment. “I was talking to Paige (Bueckers) before the game about how I just wanted to play.”

Fudd told Bueckers she was nervous that she would miss all of her shots, or play poorly. Bueckers reassured her that those things didn’t matter, what mattered was that she would be on the court again.

“I was just grateful to be out there again,” Fudd said. “I’m just so happy to be playing with my teammates again.”

She had two 3-point attempts in the quarter that didn’t go down, and both attempts were met with held breath and then loud sighs from spectators.

Fudd recorded her first basket with four seconds left in the third quarter. She stole the ball near half court, and converted a fast-break layup on the other end.

Fudd played just 12:27 in the game and finished with four points as UConn eases her back into action.

But from the cheers she received after converting the layup, you would have thought she scored 50 points. That’s how much the UConn faithful have been anticipating her return.

A healthy Azzi Fudd is one of the best players in the country. She could also be the key to UConn breaking its eight-year national championship drought.

“She changes our team,” Auriemma said. “She makes us better. She gives us what we need. It’s not going to show this week, or next week, but when we get her acclimated, we are a different team.”

During her three partial seasons, Fudd averaged 13.1 points on 44.9% shooting from the field, 38.6% from the 3-point line and 90.6% from the free-throw line.

And heading into this season, even before she knew when she would be playing, Fudd felt confident.

“I’m feeling really good, feeling really strong,” Fudd said during Big East media day earlier in the month. After a year rehabbing her injury, Fudd knew her return to the court was coming.

When she walked onto the court for the first time on Wednesday, a massive smile spread onto her face. And when the PA announcer spoke the words, “checking into the game ... Azzi Fudd,” she knew something else.

She is so back.