More than 2,000 fans attended UConn women’s basketball’s open practice Sunday hoping to get an early look at another potential national championship team.
Freshman center Olivia Vukosa gave them plenty to remember.
Vukosa grabbed 10 rebounds during the Huskies’ 20-minute scrimmage against their male practice players. She also scored seven points while displaying the size and activity that could make her an immediate contributor.
Junior guard Kayleigh Heckel led UConn with 10 points. National Player of the Year Sarah Strong won the team’s 3-point contest by scoring 17 points in the final round.
It was a light and entertaining event, but it still offered meaningful clues about Geno Auriemma’s roster.
Vukosa gives UConn another imposing frontcourt option
Vukosa arrived as one of the most highly anticipated freshmen in the country. Her performance Sunday showed why.
Rebounding usually translates quickly from practice to games because it depends on positioning, effort and an ability to read the ball. Vukosa demonstrated all three against older and stronger practice players.
UConn already has frontcourt talent, including Strong and Jana El Alfy. Adding Vukosa gives Auriemma player who can protect the paint, finish around the rim and create second-chance opportunities.
The freshman will need time to adjust to the speed and complexity of UConn’s system, but her physical tools are ready for immediate competition.
Auriemma’s biggest challenge will be determining which frontcourt combinations create the best spacing. Strong can play away from the basket, while Vukosa and El Alfy are more traditional interior options.
That versatility gives UConn several possible identities.
Injuries create early questions for Huskies
Only nine of UConn’s 13 players participated in basketball activities Sunday.
Morgan Cheli, Marine Dursus, Allie Ziebell and Blanca Quiñonez were held out. Dursus is recovering from a foot injury, Ziebell recently injured her ankle and Quiñonez is dealing with a shoulder issue.
Ziebell wore a boot on her right foot.
Auriemma indicated that he expects the injured players to become available in the coming weeks, but their absences will be worth monitoring as UConn begins official practice.
The Huskies do not have much time before their first outside test. UConn faces Syracuse in an exhibition Oct. 12, followed by Texas on Oct. 19 and Army on Oct. 25.
Those games should reveal how quickly the newcomers understand UConn’s movement, spacing and defensive responsibilities.
Sunday was designed to connect the program with its fans, not simulate an NCAA Tournament game. Even so, Vukosa’s rebounding and the team’s early injury list created two significant preseason storylines.
UConn has the talent to chase another championship.
Its ceiling may depend on how quickly the roster becomes healthy and how quickly its impressive freshman center becomes comfortable.
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