UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd had a really poor game in the first round win against the UTSA Roadrunners. In 17 minutes, she could only score seven points, to go along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
However, she rebounded well in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In 28 minutes against Syracuse, she posted 34 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals.
After the game, Fudd revealed some advice she received from her head coach, Geno Auriemma, regarding her nails that helped her improve. Auriemma asked her to cut her nails and it worked like a charm.
“He told me that I needed to cut my nails,” Fudd said. “He took my hand the other day and was like, ‘You need to trim them because they’re too long.’ He was like, ‘Do you feel the ball coming off your nail?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah a little.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, you’re hurting the ball. That’s why you’re not making any shots. Like trim your, file your nails down and be nicer to the ball and it’ll be nicer to you.’ And I did. And I guess it worked.”
Auriemma then shared the unfiltered version on the same, while adding that he only said such a thing because he wanted to take Fudd’s mind off thinking too much about not shooting well.
“I just said you should trim them,” Auriemma said. “I said you should trim them a little bit because it’ll make the ball happy and the ball will like and you’ll make more shots. No, I don’t. I just wanted to get her mind off of, you know, making shots and not making shots. And I walked away. I said, look, I don’t believe it either, but it’s worth trying. Right.”
So, as it turns out, ‘Manicure Specialist’ Auriemma’s advice struck gold and Fudd was able to come off her shooting problems.
Geno Auriemma and Azzi Fudd Awaits Sweet 16 Challenge Against UNC
After easily winning the first two rounds and entering the second round of the NCAA Tournament, hopes are sky high for UConn to repeat as national champions.
The unbeaten UConn women’s basketball (36-0) will face a serious test against the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball in Sweet 16. North Carolina are the No. 4 seed with a strong record. They are known for physical play and balanced scoring. On top of that, they’ll be motivated to upset the tournament favorites.
The matchup is set to take place in Fort Worth, with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line.
Read More News:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
