Jefferson Honored, Tuck Flies Under Radar

Meanwhile, Tuck continues to play like one of the nation's best players that no one is talking about.

It doesn't take long to realize that Moriah Jefferson is the engine that drives UConn's offense. The junior point guard sets the pace, usually while defenses are scrambling to stop her. As one of the quickest players in the country, she pressures opponents into mistakes, which often leads to easy baskets for the Huskies.

So it's not surprising -- even on a team with Breanna Stewart, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Morgan Tuck -- that Jefferson is recognized for her contributions. Earlier this week, she was named AAC Player of the Week. It was the first time in her career that she had received the honor. Jefferson also earned the espnW National Player of the Week.

Details via the press release:

The Husky point guard averaged 16.0 points on 68.4 percent shooting in the Huskies' 2-0 week, dishing out 11 assists against only one turnover. The Glenn Heights, Texas native was nearly unstoppable from beyond the arc, converting on 71.4 percent from three-point range.

Jefferson, who is averaging 11 points in 26.8 minutes per game this season, has been one of the Huskies' most consistent scoring options in In total, she ranks first on the team in assists (115) and steals (61) and is one of seven Huskies shooting over 50.0 percent from the floor (56.2). She provided a spark in UConn's 87-62 victory over No. 1 South Carolina on Feb. 9, notching 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting to go along with a game-high six assists.

Meanwhile, Tuck continues to play like one of the nation's best players that no one is talking about. She, along with Jefferson, Stewart and Mosqueda-Lewis, finds herself on the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists.

“Morgan may be the most unsung really good player in the country,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said, via SNY.com. “I don’t know who is paying attention to Morgan when people are talking about our team. I know that Stewie, and K and Moriah for sure get all the attention. I don’t know if anybody is talking about Tuck. But for our team, what we need and as well she shoots the ball, passes it, plays defense, rebounds, inside/outside, she is one of those kids that it’s like having more than one player when you have somebody like that. For our team, she is perfect. I don’t know where she would fit in with the big picture all over the country the country but for our team she is perfect and maybe as important if not more important than anybody we’ve had this year.”

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