Despite UConn Huskies’ impressive lineup, it seems like Geno Auriemma has all his bets placed on one card—Paige Bueckers. It’s almost as if the head coach can’t quite imagine the Huskies without Bueckers. Sure, she has been electric since her comeback, putting up 19 of her 22 points in just the first half during their 86-49 win over South Florida. But if she’s off the floor? 

Well, Geno himself isn’t exactly “100% confident.” He didn’t mince words when asked if UConn could handle things while Paige sits. “I’m still working on that,” he admitted. “I’m not 100% uh, confident or completely secure in knowing that we can.” 

He knows he needs to figure it out, and fast, especially in these early games. Auriemma’s plan is to keep testing the waters, giving other players more responsibility in practice and hoping it translates into real game situations. But until he sees consistent results, he’s not ready to let his start player sit without a worry.

The game against South Florida showed how much Paige Bueckers can elevate UConn. After all, she led them to a solid halftime lead, scoring nearly every other possession with her effortless shooting. 

But Paige wasn’t the only one putting up numbers. Ice Brady scored first four points and Ashlynn Shade had 10 of UConn’s 30 points in the third quarter. In total, Shade scored 15 points and grabbed three rebounds. 

Indeed, Shade’s been invaluable, especially given UConn’s injury-ridden seasons. She’s already shown her worth, stepping up when guards Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme were sidelined. She’s finding her rhythm with impressive moves on the court, like her five unanswered points during UConn’s third-quarter run in the previous game.

But does it give Geno the confidence he’s looking for? Well, not quite yet, considering his statement in the postgame conference. Even some folks in the hooper world are questioning whether it’s time for UConn to lean a little less on Bueckers. Journalist Emily Adams recently weighed in on the issue.

According to her, while the 22-year-old’s presence is a game-changer, the Huskies shouldn’t be so dependent on her that they fall apart when she’s off the court. But for Geno, old habits die hard. He still seems to rely heavily on Bueckers, even putting extra demands on her performance. 

Geno Auriemma ramps up expectations from Paige Beuckers

Heading into her last season, the Huskies coach made it clear that he expects more than just a standard game from the guard. His recent comments reveal that he’s looking for Bueckers to hit big numbers every chance she gets, saying, “I still want her to try to get 30 whenever she can.” 

After three injury-filled years, this is the first time Paige is (hopefully) in for a full season, and Auriemma has high hopes that she’ll lead UConn back to the top. The disappointment of last year’s Final Four, where Bueckers couldn’t quite shine under intense defensive pressure, still lingers for the team. 

That game, where she struggled to put up her usual stats, was a painful reminder that even a player as skilled as Bueckers can’t always carry the weight alone. But now, with Paige healthier and back in action, and is set for WNBA Draft 2025.

Four teams—the Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings, LA Sparks, and Chicago Sky—are vying for the potential No. 1 pick in 2025. Chicago could swap their first-round pick with Dallas, giving the Wings a golden opportunity to land Bueckers if things shake out that way. We can’t wait to see where she ends up!