Biggest threat to UConn women's hoops run at 9th national title may be injuries, depth

Briana Pulido, Morgan Tuck and Brianna Banks, left to right, watch action during the second half of Connecticut's 81-53 victory over South Florida in an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham) (The Associated Press)

Connecticut's Brianna Banks, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Morgan Tuck, left to right, listen to the National Anthem before their NCAA college basketball game against South Florida in Hartford, Conn., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham) (The Associated Press)

The biggest threat to Connecticut's drive for its ninth national championship and second in a row may be a short bench.

Forward Morgan Tuck will miss the rest of the season after undergoing microfracture surgery on her right knee Thursday, leaving the program with just eight scholarship players among 11 roster spots.

Coach Geno Auriemma says he's worried that more injuries or foul trouble could cost the Huskies a game.

But opponents are not sympathetic. They point out that UConn is 22-0 going into Saturday's game at Cincinnati, and the Huskies are winning by an average of 36 points.

Louisville coach Jeff Walz says Auriemma may not be sleeping easy, but he's still getting a good night's rest.