Before Sunday’s matchup with Ohio State, former UConn star Paige Bueckers told the packed Hartford crowd that she missed them but not the one thing she doesn’t miss from her college days: Geno Auriemma’s yelling.
Speaking to USA Today, she joked that Auriemma is “much nicer” to her now that she’s no longer one of his players, adding that their dynamic quickly fell back into place.
Since leading UConn to a national championship in the spring and becoming the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, the WNBA Rookie of the Year has returned to Storrs several times. She’s taken part in celebrations for the Huskies’ 12th national title including the banner raising and ring ceremony and has even joined practices as a scout-team player. That’s what she was referencing when laughing about how her former coach treats her these days.
“As a practice player, it was fun to go at Geno and the team from the other side without worrying about getting yelled at,” she said. “No pressure just hooping and having fun while the other side gets yelled at. You can just be free.”
Free enough, in fact, to do some yelling herself: “I even had to get on my practice squad teammates when they weren’t locked in. Everyone’s fair game. Nobody’s safe.”
With Bueckers now in the WNBA, she led the Big East last season with 4.6 assists per game and averaged 19.9 points, UConn has shifted its playing style early in the 2025–26 season. They’re leaning into a fast-paced approach on both ends and taking advantage of their size and depth, as shown in their win over Ohio State. They’ll get another test on Friday against No. 6 Michigan at Mohegan Sun in the Hall of Fame Showcase.
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