After initial concerns about Allie Ziebell and Blanca Quinonez, things came into clearer focus.
On Sunday, the UConn Huskies women's basketball team held an open practice in Fairfield, Conn. We didn't get many details out of the practice, but we did know that Allie Ziebell was in a boot and didn't participate, and we learned that Blanca Quinonez didn't either.
That wasn't entirely surprising, considering Quinonez had shoulder surgery in May.
However, by later on Sunday, we got some additional information from Maggie Vanoni, who reports that Ziebell "tweaked" her ankle in practice. She is expected to be available soon, same as Quinonez.
Official practice begins this week for the Huskies, who are coming off a 38-1 season that ended in the Final Four. The Huskies open up the campaign on Nov. 2 against Cornell. They, as always, are expected to be good, but there are questions about the team's guard strength/depth in the wake of Azzi Fudd's departure to the WNBA.
The exhibition campaign begins on Oct. 12 against Syracuse, so we'll closely monitor their availabilities as that approaches.
The Blanca Quinonez file
A rising sophomore from Ecuador, Quinonez was one of the most impactful players on the Huskies group that went unbeaten in the 2025-26 regular season and then swept through the Big East tournament. 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.
UConn Huskies forward Blanca Quinonez during a locker room media availability during the Final Four National Semifinal practice at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesShe was named the Big East Freshman of the Year as well as the league's Sixth Woman of the Year. Getting her back healthy is a major priority for head coach Geno Auriemma, as she'll again pair with Strong, who won the National Player of the Year award.
The Allie Ziebell file
A 6-foot native of Wisconsin, Ziebell is now in her third year with the Huskies. A national champion in her freshman season alongside Paige Bueckers, Strong and Fudd, she's played in 72 games through two years. A solid outside shooter, she shot 41 percent from 3-point range last season, averaging 7.2 ppg. She also averaged nearly two rebounds a game while adding an assist and a steal.
She'll take an outsized role in the backcourt without Fudd there, and she'll need to step up in order to keep UConn at the level its expected to be at.
