Paige Bueckers Shines Bright in UConn’s Sweet 16 Victory
SPOKANE, Wash. — As Paige Bueckers exited the court with just over three minutes remaining in the game against Oklahoma, the arena erupted in a thunderous ovation, making the venue in Spokane — nearly 2,700 miles from UConn’s home in Storrs — feel as if it were right in Bueckers’ own backyard. In a display of sheer dominance, she played just seven minutes in the fourth quarter, yet managed to outscore the entire Oklahoma team 19-13 during that stretch, contributing nearly half of her career-best 40 points in that crucial period. Remarkably, no player in UConn’s storied history had ever scored as much in an NCAA Tournament game.
After taking a well-deserved seat on the bench, head coach Geno Auriemma turned to her, always a man of few words when it comes to praise. “Did you come out just to get that ovation, or were you tired?” he asked with a smirk. Bueckers replied that she was indeed tired, to which Auriemma chuckled, clearly skeptical of her response.
Even as the game wound down, Auriemma continued to coach with the same intensity he had exhibited throughout the match. As time expired in UConn’s 82-59 Sweet 16 victory, he made his way across the court to shake hands with Oklahoma coach Jennie Baranczyk. You could almost sense him already thinking ahead to the Elite Eight, a stage he knows is often the toughest hurdle in the postseason.
There was no time for Auriemma to bask in the glory of records broken or historic performances achieved. Auriemma has long been a witness to history and typically turns the page soon after, a habit that is both a product of UConn’s greatness and a crucial element in maintaining the program’s success.
“That was as good a game as I’ve seen her play the whole time she’s been here at the most important time,” Auriemma remarked during the postgame news conference, with Bueckers sitting beside him. Later, he playfully reconsidered his statement, saying, “Did I really say that? That that’s the best I’ve seen her play? That came out of my mouth?” He smiled wryly. “Well, that’s the most I’ve seen her shoot, and she was really poor defensively, so we can’t just let her off the hook that easily. Hopefully, we have a couple more games to go before she gets canonized.”
For now, the accolades and laudatory titles will have to wait. Instead, let’s focus on the facts:
- It was arguably the best game Bueckers has played in her UConn career.
- This performance arrived at a pivotal time for the program.
Although the Huskies sported team shirts that read “Nothing easy” on Saturday night, Bueckers made an impressive number of plays look effortless.
The way she maneuvered around screens, her success in sinking 6 of 8 three-pointers, and her ability to slice through the Sooners’ defense were remarkable. Despite facing challenges in the first half, where UConn struggled with shooting accuracy and Bueckers went scoreless in the second quarter, she maintained her composure.
If one were unaware of Bueckers’ tumultuous career, filled with injuries and setbacks over the past five years, it might seem like her time at UConn had been replete with high-profile moments. In her freshman year, she played during the pandemic, competing in a bubble with no fans. The following season saw her sidelined for half the year due to a knee injury, and a torn ACL kept her out entirely last year. Bueckers had chosen UConn amid a media frenzy, expected to restore the program to its former glory. However, during her tenure, UConn’s impressive 14-year streak of Final Four appearances was broken, and the team faced back-to-back losses for the first time since 1993. Other programs began to rise nationally, and questions about UConn’s national title “drought” since 2016 loomed large. Bueckers experienced it all firsthand.
Thus, it’s entirely reasonable to assert that two truths coexist: she can relish in the ovation while striving for more. She has earned both the accolades and the opportunity to continue playing. That’s the privilege that greatness affords in March and April.
Those within UConn’s program witness the best version of Bueckers regularly during practices. There are moments when she takes control of the game, yet Auriemma has consistently urged her to adopt a more aggressive approach earlier in games. This “strike-first” mentality can be challenging to cultivate, especially for a player who is naturally inclined to defer to her talented teammates.
While Auriemma desires Bueckers to take on more responsibility, one cannot fault her for occasionally passing the ball to her equally gifted teammates. After all, any coach would understand if Bueckers chose to trust her fellow top recruits on the court. However, Auriemma’s expectations stem from his immense success and the understanding that she possesses the talent to lead.
“Little by little, it’s dawned on her, I think, that there is no next year. There is no ‘I can get this anytime I want,’” Auriemma stated. “You’re going to have to get it now, or it won’t be available anymore.”
As long as the chance to play at UConn remains, as does the opportunity to wear that iconic No. 5 jersey once more, Bueckers is determined to seize the moment. She will take those 27 shots. She will dominate the game. She will not let any opportunity slip away.
The lessons learned over the past five years — from the court, the bench, and the arduous recovery process — seem to be converging beautifully as this final stretch unfolds. Bueckers has notably elevated her level of play, and her mindset is evolving. UConn, despite some roster challenges, is on the threshold of yet another Final Four, largely due to the player Bueckers has the potential to be and appears to be finally becoming.
That ovation was well-deserved. Bueckers understood from the moment she chose UConn that the pressure would be immense during these high-stakes moments, and the spotlight would shine brighter than ever before.
“When you’re a senior and you’ve been around as long as she has, this is what you’re here to do,” Auriemma remarked. “This is why you came here.”
(Photo: Tyler McFarland / NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
