UConn Huskies women’s basketball freshman center Heather Buck will miss at least the next 3 weeks with mononucleosis. Jim Fuller of the New Haven Register has the scoop.
As was feared, freshman center Heather Buck does have mononucleosis and is out a minimum of three weeks and will be checked every week for progress. The three-week window of recovery could have Buck returning to practice in time for the Dec. 14 game against Penn State in the Maggie Dixon Classic in New York although it is possible it could take her more than three weeks to get back on the court.
This is a blow to the Huskies who will now be lacking a body in the post. Buck was expected to help out backing up Tina Charles at center. Charles will now have to play smart basketball and stay out of foul trouble.
Head coach Geno Auriemma is concerned about the lack of depth he has in the post.
“We’re already thin,” Auriemma said. “So there isn’t really more room for fouls, sickness for anything. I think that’s the most crucial part of our game right now.
“If something were to happen to Tina or Kaili during a game, where do you go? We have to make sure it doesn’t happen. It’s one of those things in your control, yet not in your control.
“Kaili is getting better, but she is up and down. She came back from the summer OK, not great.
She kind of lost her way a little bit. What I’d like to see is her become much more consistent so that we get the same things from her everyday, every game. That’s what she’s going to need to do if she wants to contribute to this team. The opportunity will be there for her.”
Buck has mono [Elm City To Eagleville]
Buck Out At Least Three Weeks [Hartford Courant]
