Paige Bueckers delivered a performance for the ages on Saturday, scoring 40 points in UConn’s NCAA Tournament victory. In doing so, she became the first player in the program’s storied history to reach that mark in a tournament game something even legends like Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Sue Bird never accomplished.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who has seen some of the greatest players in women’s college basketball history wear the Huskies uniform, acknowledged Bueckers’ brilliance but also saw areas for improvement.
“That was probably the best game she’s ever played at UConn,” Auriemma said. “Offensively, she was phenomenal, but I didn’t love her defense.”
Bueckers, a redshirt junior, has battled injuries over the past two seasons, but she showed no signs of rust in Saturday’s game. She shot efficiently from the field, controlled the tempo, and made clutch plays when her team needed them most. Her ability to take over a game has drawn comparisons to the UConn greats before her.
Still, Auriemma, known for his demanding coaching style, wasn’t completely satisfied. While he praised Bueckers’ leadership and shot-making, he pointed out lapses on the defensive end that could prove costly as the tournament progresses.
“She’s capable of playing elite defense,” Auriemma said. “She’s got to do it every possession, not just when she feels like it.”
With Bueckers leading the way, UConn looks like a serious title contender. But if Auriemma has his way, his star guard will be making an impact on both ends of the floor.
As the Huskies advance in the tournament, all eyes will be on Bueckers to see if she can build on her historic performance and meet her coach’s high expectations.
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