For all the injury troubles that have plagued Geno Auriemma’s squad this season and prior, there was a sweet return waiting on Feb 22nd. Just a day before, Morgan Cheli joined Ayanna Patterson as the second Husky to sit out the season due to injury. But the setbacks have rarely held their own against UConn. The team would go on to dominate the Butler Bulldogs 101-59 in their own backyard and before a first-time sold-out crowd at that. But the real story wasn’t just the score—it was who returned to the court.

For the first time in 461 days, Caroline Ducharme, the 22-year-old guard who has fought through head and neck injuries, stepped back onto the court. It might have been for just 2 minutes, but it was a win. A win for her, for Geno, and her teammates who have watched her give her all through the grueling recovery period.  

In a postgame interview with SNY, the head coach didn’t hold back his emotions when discussing the guard’s comeback.

 He said, “Nobody knew if it would ever work out again or when… It’s gonna be a slow process, but she loves this game, she loves playing, she loves her teammates. To give her an opportunity to play a couple minutes, I felt really good for her.”

Ducharme’s journey back to the court has been anything but easy. Paige Bueckers would second the efforts it has taken for the guard to stay put and return to the court after 15 months. “It brings you to tears,” she says. 

In her two minutes of play, Ducharme grabbed a defensive rebound, a small but significant contribution in a game where UConn dominated from start to finish. After missing the majority of the 2023-24 season, her return was met with roaring applause from fans and teammates alike in the Indianapolis Stadium. 

After starting the first four games of the season in 2023, averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds, Ducharme was sidelined following UConn’s victory at Minnesota on November 19. Her absence was part of a larger wave of injuries that hit the Huskies hard. At the time, key players like Azzi Fudd, Aubrey Griffin, and Jana El Alfy were also sidelined, leaving UConn to navigate a season with a depleted roster.

During her time away from the court, Ducharme opened up about the challenges she faced. “It has honestly been a frustrating process with many ups and downs.”

Despite some bumps in the road, the Huskies have been figuring out how to roll with the punches and keep things moving. Fudd, who made her comeback earlier this season, has been absolutely impressive—just look at her 28-point explosion against South Carolina. Griffin’s been finding her groove too, dropping 15 points and grabbing 5 boards in the game against Seton Hall. It hasn’t been perfect, but this team’s got that fight in them, and it’s showing when it counts.

With a 26-3 record and a five-game win streak, they’ve proven that depth and determination can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Geno Auriemma’s squad rolls as Paige dazzles in UConn’s dominant win

Paige put on a show as UConn cruised to an 86-47 victory over Butler. The Huskies, led by Geno Auriemma, showcased their depth and dominance, with Bueckers dropping 23 points and dishing out 10 assists. It was her second straight 20-point game and her 14th of the season. She’d shoot 10-of-16 from the field, add three steals, and set up teammates like freshman standout Sarah Strong, who nearly notched a double-double with 16 points, nine boards, and five assists. 

Butler, however, struggled to keep up. Despite a solid effort from Riley Makalusky and Kilyn McGuff, the Bulldogs couldn’t match UConn’s firepower. The Huskies’ defense was relentless, forcing 22 turnovers and converting them into 31 points.

UConn’s dominance was clear from the start. They outscored Butler in every quarter, with Bueckers and Strong setting the tone early. 

The Huskies’ next challenge awaits against Creighton, but for now, they can celebrate a commanding win and the return of a key player. With Geno at the helm and Bueckers shining, UConn’s championship aspirations are alive and well.