It’s been a long time since the UConn Huskies last held the NCAA championship trophy—2016, to be exact. But this year, it looks like Paige Bueckers is gearing up to bring that elusive thirteenth and her very first title in what is set to be her fifth and final season in Storrs. Playing her first full season since 2020-21, she’s got all the motivation she needs, and it just got a serious boost with the recent ESPN preseason player rankings.

ESPN recently ranked JuJu Watkins as the No. 1 player heading into the new season, pushing Paige Bueckers down to the second spot. And this doesn’t quite sit well with fans as they feel no. 1 should’ve gone to Paige. If history tells us anything, Bueckers will be itching to get on the court and prove everyone wrong once again. 

The season is just around the corner, and stakes are higher than ever, especially for Bueckers. But undoubtedly, both five-star guards are two of the best in the country. The Huskies guard missed the entire 2022-23 college basketball season with an ACL injury. Many analysts and fans dismissed her chances of reaching her previous levels.

However, in 2023-24, she returned with an impressive 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.6 points per game, while she was still recovering. She even took UConn to the Final Four, only losing out to Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. This year, she was projected as a top-three pick in the mock WNBA Drafts, but she decided to return to UConn for one last shot at glory and lead a younger team. 

With big names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese now making waves in the WNBA, Bueckers and Watkins have become the faces of women’s college basketball. The hype around them is crazy and for all the right reasons. Just look at the sold-out crowds before the season even tips off. 

The USC Trojans Vs UConn Huskies game already sold out

The highly anticipated matchup between UConn and USC is set for December 21, 2024, at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. With a whopping capacity of 16,294, this arena has already been sold out, and it’s no wonder. Fans are excited to see two of the best players in college basketball go head-to-head again. 

The last time these teams met, it was a must-see, with UConn edging out USC in a game that had everyone glued to their seats. Bueckers and Watkins both delivered stellar performances with the 23-year-old dropping 28 points and Watkins putting up a fantastic 29. 

This season, the pressure is on both players to prove why they’re at the top of their games. Bueckers has the weight of UConn’s championship hopes resting on her shoulders. With mostly underclassmen surrounding her, she must bring her A-game and lead with authority. 

Meanwhile, Watkins is looking to solidify her status as the best and her position as the No.1 Draft pick in 2027. Coming off a freshman season where she scored more points than any other first-year player in Division I history, she’s ready to shine. 

So, will Paige Bueckers make history by leading UConn back to glory, or will Watkins showcase her talent and prove why she deserved that top spot on ESPN? Either way, fans are in for a treat!