A farewell etched in tears, a legacy sealed in hardwood. Paige Bueckers’ final bow at Gampel Pavilion wasn’t just a basketball game; it was a chapter in UConn’s storied history, a moment that even the stoic Geno Auriemma couldn’t hold back. “At some point, it’s gonna hit home, and I hope I’m around to see the reaction.” After Paige Bueckers’ final regular-season game, Geno Auriemma mentioned that she is yet to realize the weight of the moment.

It seems that the Huskies Coach now faced the same revelation after the second-round blowout of the 10th-seeded South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Even though he did not say anything, his emotions said it all!

The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with their 91-57 win on Monday night. But it was emotional because Paige Bueckers laced her boots for the final time at UConn’s Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Her last collegiate game at a place where she is already part of the Huskies of Honor. The same honor was bestowed upon program legends like Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart. Naturally, the Head coach would be emotional.

After the game, during the press conference, it was Azzi Fudd accompanied them two. After answering the final question about the final game in the arena, Paige Bueckers left the podium. That’s when the camera then panned to Auriemma seated next to her, who looked visibly emotional! It seemed his eyes were ready to burst out of tears as he watched her walk away from the presser!

The 23-year-old is the consensus number 1 pick for the 2025 WNBA draft. So, potentially just 4 more games left for the coach and his star guard to bring glory back to the program. The moment from Auriemma was well-documented, as the official account of NCAA DI Women’s Basketball added the caption, “Coach Geno Auriemma holding back tears as Paige leaves the presser 🥹 🫶.” But the 2021 AP Player of the Year did not let the sentiments get the best of her on the hardwood.

Despite the final night pressure, Paige Bueckers hits a career-high

It was like the outcome was written in the stars. Even the Coach who has been critical of his best star was in awe after the performance. “Obviously, Paige was Paige and it’s a great way to finish your career at home – there’s no better way than with a game like that, a performance like that.” Her impact was on full display in UConn’s 91-57 second-round win on both sides of the court.

Not only did she hit a career-high 34 points against South Dakota State. But her contributions also included four assists, four steals, and three rebounds in just 29 minutes of action. However, the milestone was looking like a distant dream at one point. After three-quarters of play, Paige Bueckers had amassed 30 points on the night and Auriemma was content with letting his star sit just two baskets away from her personal mark.

On the final night at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, the coach changed his mind as Bueckers was back with less than six minutes left in the game. She eventually tied her career-high of 34 points, which she previously achieved in 2021, against Arkansas. Now the duo will once look to use these emotional moments to capture the team’s first National Championship since 2016.