Audi Crooks’ 37-point performance couldn’t save Iowa State’s loss against Syracuse. But the second-round match-up for the Orange side was a completely different story as the UConn Huskies handed them a 43-point defeat, and leading from the front was their prolific scorer, Azzi Fudd.
The star scored 34 points in the game, but had 26 of them in the first half. Interestingly, advice from Geno Auriemma helped her to be impactful on the floor.
Geno Auriemma’s Crazy Tip For Azzi Fudd Works Wonders
The senior guard had been one of the strongest scorers and an efficient shooter on the floor for the UConn Huskies. But before the second-round game, she was off the mark and went to coach Auriemma for advice. The experienced coach immediately asked her to show her nails and asked her to cut them before the Syracuse game.
“It’ll make the ball happy, and the ball will like you, and you’ll make more shots. She and Ice [Brady] looked at me like I was an idiot, and I walked away. I said, ‘Look, I don’t believe it either, but it’s worth trying,’” Auriemma told the story in the pre-game interview. In the game, his star player proved him right.
Azzi said her shot was off so Geno told her trim her nails now she got 26 in the first half 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/sUg5kVPuA4
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) March 23, 2026
“I had a nail file yesterday before practice,” Fudd told ESPN’s Holly Rowe at halftime, after scoring 26 points. “I guess [Auriemma] was right, I had to cut my nails.”
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While Diana Taurasi revealed in Geno Auriemma’s simple formula for success at UConn, this suggestion and trick certainly highlight his knowledge and grasp of the small things in the game.
As for the player, she enjoyed a very successful game at Gampel, which was her final home game as a Husky.
Azzi Fudd Gets Emotional Following Her Final Game At Gampel
Moving on to the Sweet Sixteen round forces teams to move to neutral venues. As for the top seed teams, they leave their home courts, meaning the final-year players play the final games of their college careers away from home. While Flau’jae Johnson got emotional during her final game at Baton Rouge, Fudd managed to hold on to her emotions.
“Gampel has been home for the last five years,” Fudd said. “Some people say no place compares and it doesn’t, the environment, the crowd, the fans, everything about this place is amazing. Playing here one last time, I have had so many great moments, so many great wins. This one is up there.”
"To have one last night here to soak this in, embrace it, enjoy it, it was amazing."
— ESPN (@espn) March 23, 2026
Azzi Fudd after tying her career-high 34 points in her final home game at UConn 👏 pic.twitter.com/BsNK5ji6XU
Next, UConn will face North Carolina in the Sweet 16 round. Interestingly, both sides are meeting each other for just the second time. The Tar Heels won 81-69 on the way to the national title in 1994.