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PROVIDENCE — When Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd arrived at the press conference following a 90-53 win at Providence on Wednesday, there was a sheepish air about the UConn women’s basketball stars.
It quickly became clear that the Huskies’ postgame debrief in the locker room hadn’t been celebratory as coach Geno Auriemma followed the pair up to the podium, rolling his eyes when Strong moved to adjust the microphone in front of her and nearly knocked it out of its stand.
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“It’s been that kind of day,” Auriemma quipped sarcastically, taking his seat at the opposite end of the table. “Another turnover.”
Top-ranked UConn improved to 14-0 with a victory over Providence that looked as dominant as any other on the stat sheet. Four players scored in double digits in the 37-point rout, and the team shot above 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range for just the third time this season. The Huskies outrebounded the Friars, 36-25, and had 24 assists on 33 made field goals.
But two numbers on the box score stood out to Auriemma: 21 turnovers and 19 fouls, both of which were season highs. UConn’s foul trouble resulted in 11 points on 16 attempts at the free throw line for Providence, and Auriemma pointed out that the offensive turnovers likely left at least 20 points on the floor with the team shooting 55%.
“We just vacillated between how dumb we were and how lazy we were in passing the ball, and that means 21 times we crossed half court and didn’t get a shot at the basket,” Auriemma said. “If we had 21 turnovers against like one of the top 10 teams in the country, then we’re in trouble. … Between the turnovers and the number of fouls, I don’t know if you guys watch July basketball in AAU where it looks like you want to stab yourself in the eyes. That’s what it looked like.”
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It’s no coincidence that the Huskies struggled to find their usual offensive flow the first time they had to play without starting point guard KK Arnold. The junior guard is averaging 6.9 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals this season, and she currently has the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country behind only Texas star Rori Harmon. She is one of UConn’s best one-on-one defenders, and she accounts for nearly 20% of the team’s fast-break scoring.
Arnold suffered a nasal fracture in practice that sidelined her Wednesday, and sophomore Allie Ziebell — who typically does not run the point — stepped into the starting lineup for the first time in her college career. Fudd, more of an off-ball player by nature, was also bringing the ball up the floor for the Huskies. While both held their own, there was a command of the offense that was missing in Arnold’s absence that left the team feeling disjointed.
“We all knew going into the game that everyone was going to have to step up a little. … I don’t think we did the best job, but it was kind of fun bringing the ball up a bit,” Fudd said with a glance over at Auriemma. “I think we missed (KK) in all aspects of the game today. We missed her energy. We missed her defensive intensity. We missed her being our floor general, bringing the ball up, leading us, calling the play.”
It was UConn’s post players who were the most disrupted without Arnold running the show. Strong, starting center Serah Williams and reserve center Jana El Alfy combined for 13 turnovers with Williams and El Alfy each giving up a season-high four. Strong had five in the first half alone, and the sophomore superstar didn’t get her usual opportunities in the lane scoring 15 of her 17 points from the 3-point line.
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Though they still managed to force 30 turnovers against Providence, UConn also wasn’t as effective in running full-court pressure as it has been for much of the season. Friars coach Erin Batth was pleased postgame by her team’s ability to fight through the Huskies’ press, and UConn finished with just 13 points off fast breaks.
“Our defense is always pretty good, but offense is hard,” Auriemma said. “Offense involves two people having to go, ‘I have to pass it to that guy, and I have to make sure that guy passes it to that guy.’ So it’s hard. That’s why so many teams struggle with it. We make it look really, really easy a lot of times, but it’s hard. Everybody has to be in sync.”
Fortunately for the Huskies, Arnold’s absence from the lineup is expected to be brief. Auriemma said Wednesday that she could return as soon as Saturday’s game against Seton Hall at PeoplesBank Arena.
“Whenever she’s ready to go, they’ll get the mask. Whenever she can — what did the doctor say yesterday? He goes, ‘Whenever you can breathe somewhat normally, you’re good to go,” Auriemma said. “I think she’s anxious to get going. I don’t know what her status will be for Saturday, but I’m thinking knowing KK that it’s not going to be long.”
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