"Missing Paige so bad" "Champs are going back to back": Fans react as Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd, Kayleigh Heckel star in new UConn practice video

Two months after winning their 12th national championship, the UConn Huskies are back in the gym, including star players Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. The upcoming season will not feature Paige Bueckers, who now plays in the WNBA.

On Tuesday, the UConn women's basketball team posted an Instagram video of their practice in the second week of summer workouts. The video showcased the players doing drills and scrimmaging, including newcomers Kayleigh Heckel, a USC transfer and Serah Williams, a Wisconsin transfer.

"We heard you wanted a workout video," UConnwbb wrote.

Fans reacted positively to the workout video, with many expressing their excitement for the upcoming season.

"Yeah I'm impressed we looking good ladies," one fan wrote.

"I am missing Paige so bad 😭," another commented.

"The champs are going back to back," a fan said.

"Paige must have went to get water or something during the making of this. 😢," one user said, trying to make light of Bueckers' absence.

"I think Sarah can pull off a Stewie type run she’s the new face of UCONN and the team looks mentally sharp," a commented read.

"Azzi is gonna lead this team to their back to back natty.... then a #1 pick in the draft love this for her," one more added.

Fans commented on Instagram (@uconnwbb/IG)

Many fans were also excited to see Caroline Ducharme back on her feet after dealing with injuries that have plagued her for years.

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Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong will be crucial for UConn's two-peat hopes

If Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies are to defend their title and win back-to-back championships, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong will need to perform at their best.

The duo was crucial to UConn's success last season. They combined for 48 points and 20 rebounds in the championship game against South Carolina.

Strong, in particular, exceeded all the expectations in her freshman year, averaging 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and was named the Big East Freshman of the Year.

The upcoming season will be a big one for Azzi Fudd — likely to be her final year of college basketball before she enters the WNBA.

The Huskies also added two transfers in Kayleigh Heckel and Serah Williams, who are expected to fill some of the gaps left by Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen.