Geno Auriemma is your perfect example of the ‘biggest cheerleader and harshest critic.’ He’d call Paige Bueckers the best player in America one day and openly critique her being not wanting the ball in her hands, the other. If you ask the star guard, that’s been the dynamic since day one. “Yeah, he gets on me all the time but that’s what I wanted,” she had said as a freshman. 5 years in, nothing has changed. Especially not on the historic day Bueckers just had.

In the UConn standout’s 4th Sweet 16 appearance, the Huskies did not start out like the championship-caliber team they are. The team started slow against No.3-seeded Oklahoma and trailed by as many as 6 points in the second quarter before settling for 36-32 by the first half. Though Paige was getting her baskets, the head coach wasn’t impressed with her lack of contribution towards defense. He benched her and had a tough couple of words.

So during the post-game press conference, Bueckers was asked about the instance, questioned whether it had any impact on her. “Him getting on me, him holding me accountable, I did have some mental lapses and some mental mistakes that I can’t have at this point of the season,” she admitted. 

The guard was leading her team with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting. But her defensive lapses against Sooners senior Payton Verhulst were costing the team, and Auriemma wasn’t letting it pass. While it may have been something Paige would not have liked to hear, she has learnt not to let it affect her negatively by now. “It affected me in a positive way to not make those mental mistakes again, and turn it up a notch,” she added during the conference. 

She did exactly that. In the second half, Bueckers led a 16-0 run, completely flipping the game in UConn’s favor. She hit shots from everywhere, made the right plays, and locked in defensively. The Huskies dominated 82-59, punching their ticket to the next round, while Bueckers glistened with her 40-point performance– the highest for an female husky in the NCAA Tournament. But Geno’s critique continued despite it all. 

Initially, he praised Bueckers, saying, “That was as good a game as I’ve seen her play the whole time she’s been here.” But moments later, he walked it back. “Did I really say that? That came out of my mouth? Well, that’s the most I’ve seen her shoot, and she was really bad defensively, so we can’t just let her off the hook that easily.”

Auriemma may push her, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves the open communication the two share, which has helped her grow every step of the way. But their dynamic has also been more than the grunts and growth. In her freshman year, Paige shared how the head coach would joke around quite often, and she could walk into his office anytime she wished to ask him to break down a film. He’d gladly do that. So as harsh as Geno may seem on his star player, he respects her game, admires her dedication, and rallies behind her better than anyone. 

Because when the moment demands it—when her team needs her most—she always shows up.

Paige Bueckers delivers when the spotlight is brightest

UConn found itself in trouble at halftime against Oklahoma, trailing by four. But Bueckers refused to let the Huskies’ season slip away. She took control, outscoring the Sooners by herself in the second half, 29-23. In the fourth quarter, she was unstoppable—dropping 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting in just seven minutes.

By the final buzzer, she had torched Oklahoma for a career-high performance, shooting nearly 60% from the field, knocking down six threes, grabbing six boards, and swiping three steals.

Her teammates knew what was coming. “Every shot Paige shoots feels like it’s going in,” Ashlynn Shade said. “It’s super fun to be a part of.” Even Geno Auriemma, who has never been one to give easy praise, couldn’t ignore what he saw. “Paige was spectacular,” he said. This was Paige’s second career-high performance in a row. Against South Dakota State in the Round of 34, she had put a 34-point performance. 

This wasn’t just about the numbers—it was about leadership. With Azzi Fudd and rising star Sarah Strong by her side, Bueckers is leading UConn through March Madness with the confidence and fire of a champion. When UConn needed her most, Paige Bueckers delivered.