Under normal circumstances this would be the time when Natalie Butler would be pushing for a prominent role if not a starting one at UConn.
Sitting out the mandated one season after her transfer left the 6-foot-5 Butler eager to be more than just an energetic practice player for Huskies. Well, her debut with the Huskies will have to wait as she tore ligaments in her left thumb which resulted in surgery a week and a half ago.
"My initial reaction, I was heartbroken but I have a great support team here," said Butler after UConn's practice on Thursday.