UConn notebook: Griffin rounding back into form
Nov. 11—STORRS — Aubrey Griffin got the ball in the corner, faked to get Northeastern defender Marian Turnbull out of position, and drove the baseline, finishing a 10-foot jumper with 3:53 left in the first quarter Thursday night.
For the UConn women's basketball team's redshirt junior forward, it was her first points for UConn since a third-quarter layup against Baylor in an NCAA tournament Elite Eight win on March 29, 2021. She didn't score in the Final Four loss to Arizona four days later and sat out last season after back surgery.
The native of Ossining, New York looked as good as new against Northeastern. She played 24 minutes off the bench and had 13 points and five rebounds in a 98-39 rout at Gampel Pavilion.
"It was great having Aubrey back," UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards said. "She brings athleticism to our team and is very explosive driving to the rim. It's definitely an element for our offense we definitely need."
Griffin was 6-for-7 shooting from the floor and connected on her only 3-pointer, the sixth of her career in 32 tries. She was first off the bench as she was in UConn's exhibition win over Kutztown Sunday.
It was her first double-figure scoring game since she had 10 at DePaul on Jan. 31, 2021.
"We saw Aubrey do what Aubrey does best," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. She is slowly, slowly, slowly getting back to her old self.
"We know when she comes in she has the ability to make an impact right away. There were some great finishes she had. When she starts off with a little 15 footer that goes in and a three that goes in, I think that gives her tremendous confidence. That's always been the No. 1 thing we've tried to help Aubrey with is to be confident and self-assured. Today she certainly looked it."
Student support
Attendance for the opener Thursday night was 9,171, about 900 short of capacity.
But in the student sections behind the basket at the visitor's bench side, there were few empty seats to be had. They made it a great environment.
It's not surprising to see the sections packed for an NCAA tournament game or for a Top 10 opponent, but maybe the students were anxious for the opener.
"I love that they don't care who we play," UConn guard Nika Mühl said. "Having them come out with the same energy and the same attitude every night, that is what's expected of us, too. We don't care who we play. We come out with the same energy every night. Having them do the same is big for us.
"We work so hard every day. We practice and compete so we can play well in front of them so they can be proud and have something to cheer for. Their energy tonight was incredible. We're looking forward to having them every night and for the rest of the season. It is going to be a lot of fun."
UConn hosts No. 3 Texas Monday.
Like mother, like daughter
Auriemma began his 38th season at UConn and was reminded of how old he is.
Grace Maria — a 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter from Bishop O'Connell High in Arlington, Virginia — signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play volleyball at UConn. She is the daughter of Sarah Northway Maria, who played for Auriemma (1995-97) and was a member of UConn's 1995 national championship team.
She will be the third child of a former Auriemma player to play sports at UConn. The others are Coventry High graduates Tommy Myers (football) and Kelly Myers (track and field), the children of 1986 graduate Peggy Walsh Myers.
"I'm not crazy about it," Auriemma said with a smile. "Every time somebody mentions this is my 38th year here, Peggy Walsh hyperventilates because she was my first captain in 1985.
"Now we have another athlete coming here to play volleyball. It's a great connection those players have with this place, with this University. A lot of these kids could go anywhere, and a lot of these kids don't want to follow their parents. I always appreciate when children of people I coached want to come to school here because it says a lot about how their parents have instilled in them a love for this school."
Grace Maria has ties to the basketball team as she's worked out with sophomore guard and Virginia resident Azzi Fudd and she has known junior guard Paige Bueckers from when her family lived in Minnesota.
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.
