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In today’s episode of Locked On UConn, we break down the Huskies’ dominant win over Xavier, where Azzi Fudd led the way and UConn showcased its depth in Paige Bueckers’ absence. We’ll also dive into Allie Ziebell’s breakout performance off the bench and her importance moving forward. Finally, we’ll take a look around the world of women’s college basketball, including South Carolina’s devastating injury news, USC’s rise behind JuJu Watkins, and UConn’s projected seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

Segment 1: Azzi Fudd Leads UConn to a Blowout Over Xavier

Let’s start with UConn’s dominant 81-27 win over Xavier. While Xavier isn’t a strong opponent, this game showed us a lot about the Huskies’ ability to adjust and thrive without Paige Bueckers.

Azzi Fudd led the way with a season-high 23 points. What stood out was her aggressiveness—she wasn’t just relying on her three-point shot but attacked the basket and created opportunities for herself and her teammates. Fudd said after the game that she felt freer on the court, and it showed. She’s building trust in her knee, and that confidence is translating into her play.

Sarah Strong also had a fantastic game with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. Her energy on both ends of the floor was key to UConn’s success. And then there’s freshman Allie Ziebell, who scored 17 points off the bench. We’ll talk more about her in the next segment, but her performance was a significant bright spot.

This wasn’t about making a statement—it was about growth. UConn used this opportunity to build confidence and develop its depth, which will be crucial as the season progresses.

Segment 2: Allie Ziebell’s Breakout Performance

Allie Ziebell had her moment in UConn’s win over Xavier. The freshman came off the bench to score 17 points in just 18 minutes, hitting five three-pointers in the process.

What made Ziebell’s performance stand out wasn’t just the numbers—it was how poised and confident she looked. She didn’t force shots or try to do too much. Instead, she found her spots and played within the flow of the game. That kind of maturity is rare for a freshman, especially in a program like UConn, where the expectations are sky-high.

With Paige Bueckers out, the Huskies need players who can step into larger roles, and Ziebell showed she’s capable of doing just that. Her performance adds another layer to UConn’s depth, which is critical as they navigate the challenges of conference play and prepare for the NCAA Tournament.

Even Paige was hyped for Ziebell. She cheered her on from the sidelines and shared a picture with her on social media after the game, showing the kind of support and unity this team has.

This game was a confidence-builder for Ziebell, and if she can build on this performance, she’ll be a key contributor for UConn moving forward.

Segment 3: Around the World of Women’s College Basketball

Now, let’s zoom out and look at what’s happening across women’s college basketball because there’s been a lot of movement this week.

First, UConn is projected as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, potentially in the same bracket as Notre Dame. That feels about right for now. UConn has been strong but hasn’t quite done enough to claim a No. 1 seed over teams like South Carolina, UCLA, and USC. A potential matchup with Notre Dame would be fascinating, though. Both teams are disciplined, well-coached, and equipped with talent that can thrive in March.

Meanwhile, South Carolina got hit with devastating news this week. Ashlyn Watkins is out for the season with a torn ACL, and her absence is a huge blow to the Gamecocks’ national championship hopes. Watkins was a defensive anchor and a key rebounder, and without her, South Carolina’s margin for error just got a lot smaller.

On the other hand, USC continues to trend upward. Led by JuJu Watkins, the Trojans handed No. 8 Maryland their first loss of the season. Watkins has been incredible, not just as a scorer but as a leader who makes everyone around her better. USC is quickly becoming a team no one wants to face in March.

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