Top-ranked UConn faces Marquette in Saturday showdown

Huskies look to fine-tune ahead of postseason as Quinonez could return from injury

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The top-ranked UConn women's basketball team will travel to Milwaukee on Saturday to take on Marquette in a Big East matchup. The Huskies, who are undefeated this season, are looking to keep improving certain aspects of their game, particularly rebounding, as the regular season winds down. Freshman forward Blanca Quinonez, who has missed the last five games due to a shoulder injury, could make her return to the lineup for this game.

Why it matters

UConn has dominated most of its opponents this season, but coach Geno Auriemma has identified rebounding as an area that needs improvement as the team prepares for the postseason. The potential return of Quinonez, a versatile scorer and rebounder, could provide a boost for the Huskies as they look to fine-tune their game ahead of the conference and NCAA tournaments.

The details

Despite their lopsided win over Creighton on Wednesday, Auriemma was critical of his team's rebounding effort, particularly on the offensive glass. The Huskies are one of the best teams in the country in several statistical categories, but they rank 50th in rebounding margin, 112th in defensive rebounds, and 228th in offensive rebounds. Auriemma wants to see more effort from his players to chase down missed shots. Sophomore guard Allie Ziebell has stepped up in the absence of Quinonez, scoring in double figures in five of the last six games, including a 34-point performance against Xavier. Auriemma joked that Ziebell will have to maintain her defensive intensity if Quinonez returns to the lineup.

  • UConn and Marquette previously met on December 10, 2025, with the Huskies winning 89-53.
  • Quinonez has missed the last five games after reaggravating a shoulder injury initially suffered in November.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, who has led the Huskies to numerous national championships and is known for his demanding coaching style.

Sarah Strong

A sophomore forward for UConn who scored a team-high 22 points in the previous matchup against Marquette.

Blanca Quinonez

A freshman forward for UConn who has missed the last five games due to a shoulder injury but could return for the Marquette game.

Allie Ziebell

A sophomore guard for UConn who has stepped up in Quinonez's absence, scoring in double figures in five of the last six games.

Azzi Fudd

A star guard for UConn who, along with Sarah Strong, led the Huskies to victory in the previous matchup against Marquette.

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What they’re saying

“We make so many shots. But when the shots are not going in, the ones that don't go in, I want us to get better at getting some of those back.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Women's Basketball (The Day)

“If she doesn't run back on defense, that sucker is going to the bench forever when Blanca comes back.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Women's Basketball (The Day)

What’s next

Quinonez's potential return to the lineup could shake up the Huskies' rotation, with Allie Ziebell having played well in her absence. Auriemma will have to decide how to best integrate Quinonez back into the team while maintaining the momentum Ziebell has built.

The takeaway

Despite their dominance this season, the top-ranked Huskies are still looking to fine-tune certain aspects of their game, particularly rebounding, as they prepare for the postseason. The potential return of Blanca Quinonez could provide a boost, but Auriemma will have to carefully manage the team's rotation to ensure everyone is contributing at a high level.