After months of anticipation and recovery, Paige Bueckers was on the verge of a major milestone: 2000 career points. But when the moment arrived, UConn’s star guard came up just short—and her head coach, Geno Auriemma, wasn’t about to sugarcoat it.

In a fiery post-game reality check, he dropped a truth bomb that’s got everyone talking.  While Bueckers initially looked like she was back in rhythm, Auriemma pointed out that the game revealed her struggle with stamina: “But then you start to see her drift. And she doesn’t have the stamina to keep her foot on the gas like she normally would.”

Whenever you take any time off, you’re always going to have a little bit of a hiccup when you go in there,” Auriemma explained. He emphasized that the physical recovery wasn’t just about minutes but about getting back to her usual flow, “She spent a part of the first half just wandering, you know, and we couldn’t get her enough shots.”

Despite Bueckers hitting some key mid-range jumpers in the second half to help extend UConn’s lead, Auriemma acknowledged the reality of her return. Despite the hiccups, Auriemma remained optimistic about Bueckers’ potential to bounce back, stating, “I never doubt what Paige can do to impact the game because I’ve seen it so many times.” However, he also made it clear that her return wasn’t a simple switch.

“I also know she’s not a robot where you just put her in, push the button, and everything happens automatically,” he added. Reflecting on her minutes restriction, he quipped, “Well, she said she wasn’t [on a minute restriction], but actually, you are.”

Auriemma also added that Bueckers’ game performance showed signs of improvement, “She’s being more aggressive, I think. I always marvel at how precise she is with everything she does. There’s not a lot of wasted motion.” But he also noted the challenge she faces when the weight of the game feels too heavy on her shoulders, adding, “She maybe sometimes feels when it’s all on my shoulders, then I have to do a lot. That’s good. When I have to share it with everybody else, that’s really kind of comfortable and that’s what I’ll do.”

Though she fell short of the 2000-point milestone, Auriemma is hopeful, “I’m glad we had her back today. She’ll be even better on Sunday. And let’s just hope it’s the last of this.” The road to full recovery might still have a few bumps, but Auriemma’s faith in Bueckers’ long-term potential remains unwavering.

Though Bueckers was feeling optimistic about her comeback, saying, “I’m just glad to be back out there,” her performance wasn’t without its struggles. The 23 minutes she played showed flashes of her All-American potential.

Geno Auriemma eyes player growth and March Madness prep for UConn

As UConn gears up for March Madness. He highlighted in a recent interview, “We’re building towards March. So, one game at a time.” Auriemma’s goal is to keep improving with each game.

He also stressed the importance of the NCAA’s commitment, saying, “We’ve got to go back to four regionals so that we can spread the game around the country more.” Auriemma highlighted the pressure to meet the growing expectations, noting, “Once you get the spotlight on you, now there’s an expectation. And we just have to keep meeting those expectations.”

Looking beyond just the players, Auriemma also mentioned the impact of the upcoming Unrivaled League, formed by former UConn stars Breanna Stewart (Stewie) and Nafisa Collier, which is sure to increase visibility for women’s basketball. “That’s more eyes watching, more women’s basketball,” he said. Auriemma reflected proudly on how his former players have contributed to the sport, adding, “I’m incredibly proud of how they represent themselves and their families and how they represent the WNBA.”

In terms of Auriemma’s own team is focused on rotation and player development, understanding that the journey through March will require depth and cohesion. He discussed the challenges of integrating new players and maintaining team chemistry, especially as younger players step into more prominent roles. “My job is to try to figure out, how do I get these kids in the game?” Auriemma said, pointing out that these moments of growth are crucial for the team’s success in March.