Early in the UConn women’s basketball team’s exhibition game against Southern Connecticut, junior guard Ashlynn Shade drove toward the basket, drew a defender, and immediately turned to flick a pass to classmate KK Arnold open at the wing from behind the 3-point line.
Without a moment of hesitation, Arnold pulled up. Swish.
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It was the first shot Arnold took in the exhibition, a sure sign that the point guard’s confidence is in a far different place than it was a year ago. Arnold was one of UConn’s worst 3-point shooters last season, hitting 21.3% and recording just over a single attempt per game. She averaged 5.5 points in 21.2 minutes per game
But Arnold knew coming into her junior season that the Huskies needed more from her, and Auriemma sees the effort that she’s invested into upgrading her game this season.
“I don’t think last year she would have taken that shot that she made today,” Auriemma said after the Huskies routed Southern Connecticut 105-39. “We talk to her all the time about, if you’re not willing to take that shot, we’re playing five on four. Realistically, that’s what happens. So I like that she’s put enough time into it that she feels comfortable with it.”
UConn is loaded with talent this year headlined by the duo of redshirt senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong, and the team added a standout transfer in former Wisconsin center Serah Williams. Auriemma knows what he’s going to get from his stars, but Arnold and Shade’s ability to complement and contribute around that core will shape the Huskies’ success this season.
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Arnold and Shade have been key contributors since they arrived in Storrs in 2023-24. The duo were thrust into the starting lineup as freshmen during the peak of UConn’s injury woes, and though they came off the bench last year, both averaged more than 20 minutes per game and were on the floor more often than not during the biggest moments.
But this season will pose a different kind of challenge as the juniors learn to handle the heightened expectations of returning as upperclassmen starters without the steady leadership they’ve gotten used to over the past two years. Arnold has always had two veteran point guards to lean on, first UConn career assists leader Nika Muhl then fifth-year Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen alongside three-time All-American Paige Bueckers. Bueckers’ offensive prowess also kept the pressure off Shade — it was a major bonus when she hit shots, but the team didn’t rely on her scoring for success.
“I think not having Paige that impacts every kid on our team, not just KK,” Auriemma said at the start of official practices. “You can see it out there. But it’s one more step in the learning process for KK (especially). I think she’s excited about it. I think she’s anxious to be counted on to do a little bit more.”
What UConn needs the most from Arnold is a more diversified skillset, which extends far beyond her outside shooting. Arnold has primarily been a change-of-pace piece and a pesky defensive disruptor during her first two seasons, but she’s now stepping into a role as the team’s starting point guard and floor general on both ends of the court.
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“I feel really good honestly, and confidence will grow each and every game,” Arnold said after the exhibition. “This game I just felt super comfortable knowing the pace of the game, understanding what we needed at the time and keeping my defensive pressure up, which of course builds up my energy but also builds up my team’s energy and starts (things) for the offensive end.”
From Shade, the Huskies need reliability. She was one of the team’s best 3-point shooters statistically last season, hitting 41.1% behind only Fudd and Bueckers, but her scoring was often streaky and she struggled late in the season when the pressure was high. Shade’s shooting dropped to 31.8% from beyond the arc across the Big East and NCAA Tournament, and she averaged just two points per game in the Final Four.
“I really want to emphasize getting to the basket more, being able to score at all three levels more consistently,” Shade said. “I’m definitely more sure of myself and more confident just knowing the ropes, knowing what to expect and the standard here.”
Both juniors are also embracing the weight of leadership with five newcomers and seven underclassmen on the roster. Auriemma said Shade’s voice immediately stood out when the team returned to campus, even while she was limited with a lingering hamstring injury during preseason practices.
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“Last year should have been their freshman year, where you kind of play a different role,” Auriemma said.” Now she’s already had two years under her belt … (Ashlynn) is always locked in. She’s always prepared. She’s become much more vocal. I would expect her to evolve into a team leader in some way, whether it’s verbally, whether it’s loud, whether it’s subtle, whether it’s obvious and everybody sees it, or whether it’s under the radar.”
UConn women’s basketball schedule: Breaking down the can’t-miss games this season
