Juhász in a good place as No. 5 UConn visits Butler

Jan. 3—Dorka Juhász has had an interesting journey from her hometown of Pecs, Hungary, to the United States and Columbus, Ohio, and now to Storrs as she plays her second season with the UConn women's basketball team.

So to hear her say "I'm back" after one of her best games as a collegian that saw the graduate student center record 22 points along with career-bests of 18 rebounds and four assists in the Huskies' win at Creighton, one had to ask: From where?

Was she back from November's broken left thumb that cost her seven games this season? Was she back from March's dislocated left wrist injury that required surgery and cost her opportunity to play in her first NCAA Final Four? Was she back to the player she was at Ohio State where she was a two-time all-Big Ten first-team pick?

"It's kind of everything," Juhász said with a smile. "I feel like I'm back to that player who's not getting stressed, back to that player who is having fun. There were times last year that I'd worry about being perfect and it took away from having fun. This is supposed to be fun.

"Missing the games at the end last year at not being able to play at the Final Four gave me a pain and emptiness that I don't want to feel again. Finally to be able to play even with the crazy circumstances this season like having six players, to be on the court with these players with this jersey is what's changed things for me."

Fifth-ranked UConn plays the first of two games in three days in the Midwest tonight as it takes on Butler in Big East action at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Since returning from the thumb injury suffered against Texas on Nov. 14 for the Huskies' Dec. 18 win over Florida State, Juhász has put together her best stretch since coming to UConn after three years at Ohio State. In the four-game winning streak she's averaging 14.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots in 32.8 minutes with a pair of double-doubles and two near misses.

And she is still working to get back in the kind of shape she feels she needs to be.

"Missing five weeks of live basketball took a lot out of my conditioning," Juhász said. "Coming back I find myself taking huge breaths on the court. Other than that, I feel great. I'm just happy. I think my happiness and enthusiasm is what's taking me past those tired times. My teammates are always coming around and going, 'All right, take a breath.' I'm getting better every day and trying to find my ways to help the team."

Juhász arrived at UConn as a prize transfer after graduating with a psychology degree in three years from Ohio State and averaging close to a double-double in 75 games with the Buckeyes.

But with two-year starter Olivia Nelson-Ododa back for her senior season and Aaliyah Edwards coming off a strong freshman year, it was hard for her to find a niche. She did have a double-double (16 points, 16 rebounds) in a big early-season win over UCLA and a combined 43 points in back-to-back February wins over DePaul and Marquette. But those moments were few.

Her season ended in the first half of the NCAA Bridgeport Regional final against North Carolina State when she fell and dislocated her left wrist. Her final numbers were career-lows of 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 19.8 minutes.

"I felt like last year I wasn't able to kind of show my talent and all my versatility consistently every single game, so I think for me that was a huge motivation for this year," Juhász said.

"Last year I got into my head about being perfect, being at UConn, making sure that I was doing everything exactly right to help the team. This year I don't let mistakes get into my head and it's on to the next play. If I miss shots, I'll get it back on the defensive end with rebounds or blocked shots."

During her rehabilitation during the summer she found her confidence again. She found consistency in her effort and performance during the preseason. The injury she suffered against Texas — she played the second half with the broken left thumb — was a setback but she moved forward when she returned.

Now, she's back.

"I'm way ahead from where I was a year ago," Juhász said. "Knowing the system and having confidence in myself what I can do for this team is big and being around this group of people helps me. They know where I want the ball. They know when I'm going to be open. It's been hard to be out five weeks and having this cast on alters my shot at times. Hopefully this is gone soon and that will allow me to be more consistent.

"It's a matter of finding my spots. There are so many diverse players on this team who can score from all over the court. For me it was, 'Where can I be the best on the court?' Last year was like testing the waters. Liv and Aaliyah were already here and were so much more comfortable than me. I tried to fill that missing piece that was there. I feel like this year I'm kind of more free to just how who the real Dorka is and kind of just have that confidence to be dominating in the games."

In her six games Juhász is averaging 12.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocked shots. She has not played enough games to qualify for the Big East leaders but her numbers would rank her 17th in points and second in rebounds and blocked shots. She'll enter tonight 28 rebounds away from joining the 1,000-1,000 club for her career with the Huskies and Buckeyes.

She and Edwards have become a dynamic duo in the post.

"They've really turned into amazing upperclassmen," UConn guard Nika Mühl said. "Dorka was an upperclassman last year, but I feel like her maturity and her responsibility and what she brings every practice, every game — both of them — has grown so much. They've turned into pros, honestly. They've turned into real pros."

UConn (11-2 overall, 4-0 Big East) should have at least nine players available tonight with Aubrey Griffin expected to be back in action. The redshirt junior missed the last two games getting over COVID-19. Sophomore guard Azzi Fudd was cleared to return to basketball activities Thursday but it may take more time to get her in game shape.

Butler (6-8, 1-4) has lost six of eight.

Juhász hopes to continue her comeback story.

"There were butterflies about being able to play this season, knowing that this is my last year for sure," Juhász said. "I just want to give my all."

For coverage of all sports in the JI's 18-town coverage area, plus updates on the UConn women's basketball team and head coach Geno Auriemma, follow Carl Adamec on Twitter: @CarlAdamec, Facebook: Carl Adamec, and Instagram: @CarlAdamec.