UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma expressed doubt about the return of injured players Ice Brady and Morgan Cheli for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The team also rescheduled Aaliyah Edwards' Huskies of Honor induction due to her professional commitments. These updates come ahead of Thursday's home game against Villanova.
In a midseason update, UConn coach Geno Auriemma shared concerns over the availability of redshirt junior Ice Brady and sophomore Morgan Cheli. Brady, a 6-foot-3 forward, played in the team's first two games, posting averages of 2.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per outing. She has been out since inflammation struck her right knee before the November 12 matchup against Loyola Chicago. Auriemma initially described her status as day-to-day, but Brady has missed recent road trips to Providence on December 31 and Creighton on January 11. Given her limited play—less than 30% of games before the season's midpoint—she qualifies for a medical redshirt. This marks the second time for her right knee, following a patella dislocation that forced a redshirt in her 2022-23 freshman year.
Cheli, a sophomore guard, has yet to suit up this season after ankle surgery in February 2025 cut short her freshman campaign. Earlier optimism faded: on December 6, Auriemma anticipated her return in the new year, and by December 27, he noted progress. Now, he said he would be “pleasantly surprised” if either player sees the court again this season.
The Huskies will field at least 12 players against Villanova at Gampel Pavilion on Thursday, with redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy nearing a return from a January 6 practice concussion. The 6-foot-5 center has resumed workouts and is “really close” to playing within days, per Auriemma.
Separately, former star Aaliyah Edwards' induction into the Huskies of Honor was postponed from before Monday's Notre Dame game due to her Unrivaled schedule. It is now set for January 28 ahead of the Big East clash with Xavier in Storrs. Edwards, a 2024 WBCA and Wooden All-American, earned the honor through her senior-year performance. A two-time All-Big East first-team pick and 2023 tournament MVP, she contributed to four straight conference titles and three Final Fours. She ranks top 10 in program rebounds (1,020) and double-doubles (35), joining just six Huskies with over 1,800 points and 1,000 rebounds. Drafted sixth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Edwards joined the Connecticut Sun via trade in 2025 and averages 24.7 points and 12 rebounds for the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled.
