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UConn’s Geno Auriemma Praises Paige Bueckers as the Best Player in the Nation
Following UConn’s triumphant 72-64 victory over Syracuse in the second round of the women’s March Madness tournament, head coach Geno Auriemma showered his superstar guard, Paige Bueckers, with high praise, confidently declaring her as the premier player in the entire country.
In a post-game press conference, Auriemma boldly stated, “We have the best player in America. In this world of analytics, the numbers say that she is. And the whole stat sheet says that she is. And everybody that watched knows it.”
Bueckers delivered a stellar performance in the second-round triumph, dominating Syracuse with an impressive stat line of 32 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and a block. Her excellence extended to the first-round victory over Jackson State, where she recorded 28 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block.
However, Bueckers’ remarkable showing in the tournament was a moment of redemption after suffering a season-ending ACL injury before the 2022-23 season, which caused her to miss the entire year. UConn faced disappointment in the previous season, exiting in the Sweet 16 with a defeat against Ohio State, marking their worst finish since 2005.
In a hopeful tone, Auriemma expressed, “We’re fortunate and we get to go back to where it ended for us last year. I think we’re a different team, different mindset, and we’re hoping for a different outcome.” The current season presents a promising opportunity for UConn, with Bueckers and Canadian standout Aaliyah Edwards leading the charge.
Auriemma, a renowned figure in college basketball coaching history, is poised to capitalize on his time with Bueckers. Despite already securing 11 National Titles, the prospect of claiming two more championships while Bueckers remains with the team is within reach, particularly after her decision to forego the WNBA Draft and return for a fifth year.
Meanwhile, Edwards will be bidding farewell to UConn as she embarks on her professional career in the WNBA. Additionally, UConn’s anticipated Sweet 16 rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes was thwarted, as Ohio State suffered an unexpected defeat to Duke in the second round.
The upcoming clash between UConn and the Blue Devils is scheduled for Saturday, presenting a critical juncture in the unfolding drama of the women’s March Madness tournament.
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