UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- The UConn Huskies women's basketball team defeated the Syracuse Orange 88-60 in the team's exhibition opener on Monday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. 

There was certainly a lot to like from the performance, including KK Arnold's ability to get to the rim and the play of freshmen Jovana Popovic and Olivia Vukosa. However, the team's 3-point shooting woes were pronounced, which is something that will need improving.

As we talk about this game, it's also fair to note that star sophomore Blanca Quinonez didn't play for the Huskies. The defending Big East Sixth Woman of the Year and All-Big East Second-Team selection has been recovering from left shoulder surgery that she underwent in May. 

Head coach Geno Auriemma said after the game that she's making solid progress in her recovery, but she is not cleared yet.

"She's been doing everything she needs to do. Right now, there's just a couple things that she has to finish up on.

But with two surgeries, you know, it's like she had one and then had to rehab that, then had to have another one, then rehab that, and it took a long time before she could actually get out and do things. And they said this would be the timetable...

So I don't know the exact date that she's going to be back, but, as soon as those workouts (are done) and she says, "I feel great. There's nothing that's holding me back." She's going to be cleared, and she'll step into practice the next day."

We knew that Quinonez had surgery in May, but the second surgery that Auriemma referenced was unknown. He didn't say if that surgery was also on the shoulder.

Getting her back is obviously a huge priority for UConn, who opens up the season on Nov. 2. The Huskies are coming off a year in which they went 38-1, only losing in the Final Four against South Carolina. 

A rising sophomore from Ecuador, Quinonez was one of the most impactful players on the Huskies group a season ago. At 6-foot-2, she played alongside Sarah Strong in the frontcourt, giving UConn one of the best frontcourts in the entire nation. In 31 games, she averaged 10.7 ppg and 3.1 rebounds while also dishing out 2.1 assists.

She shot 53.6 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from three-point range, taking nearly three 3's per night. 

With Azzi Fudd now gone to the WNBA, Quinonez should take an even more outsized role in the offense.

Strong led the way with 15 points for the Huskies in this exhibition contest. She was just 6-of-16 from the floor and 1-of-5 from three-point range. She's the reigning National Player of the Year.

UConn will be back in action next Monday night for the second of three exhibitions. This one will be played against Texas, another national power. Tip-off from PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford is set for 7 p.m. ET.