Notre Dame Forward Brianna Turner Still Being Evaluated

As of Thursday night, the status of freshman phenom Brianna Turner for Saturday’s matchup against No. 3 Connecticut was still unknown as she was to meet with doctor’s prior to practice. The 6-foot-3 forward left the Maryland game early with a shoulder injury and went straight to the locker room, never returning to the bench.

Coach Muffet McGraw has several options for what to do in case Turner can’t go, but if she’s unable to her loss can’t be overlooked.

"“Brianna has really played well for us this year,” McGraw said. “We’re doing so many good things with her in the game.” h/t John Fineran, South Bend Tribune"

Entering Wednesday’s Maryland game, Turner was averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. The two-time ACC freshman of the week is a valuable piece, but this Irish team is deep and didn’t seem to miss a beat with her out.

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Taya Reimer stepped in to score a game-high 21 points after Turner’s exit, and McGraw’s ability to play the entire bench early in the season has given the team more than enough playing time to be comfortable stepping into more important roles. Kathryn Westbeld and Markisha Wright will likely see more action if a big lineup is needed. Or it’s possible McGraw could load the floor with guards in Jewell Loyd, Lindsay Allen, Michaela Mabrey and Madison Cable and force the Huskies to pick their poison in what shooter to stop.

With 60 straight regular season victories, the Irish would love to go into the game against Geno Auriemma’s Huskies with their best players to show its time for a changing of the guard in Women’s basketball. The last loss for the Irish came in the NCAA Championship game last season between the two undefeateds, won by UConn 79-58.

The Jimmy V Women’s Classic will be a nationally televised game on ESPN at 3:15 p.m ET at Purcell Pavillion.

Notre Dame’s Brianna Turner Still Being Evaluated

By Nicholas D. Blazek | Dec 5, 2014