UConn’s grip on the Big East isn’t just firm—it’s a stranglehold. Year after year, they don’t just compete; they dictate, dominate, and dismantle. This season was no exception. With a 70-50 statement win over Creighton in the Big East championship, the Huskies once again ruled the conference, steamrolling their way to a 31-3 record. But as the trophy was hoisted and the nets were cut, the biggest headline wasn’t just UConn’s supremacy—it was Geno Auriemma’s postgame remarks on Paige Bueckers that set the basketball world buzzing.

For the third time, UConn’s star guard Paige Bueckers claimed the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player award, a fitting recognition after she lit up the court with 24 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. According to a post on X by UConn on SNY, when Auriemma was asked about this accolade, his response was candid, to say the least. “I think Sarah (Strong) should’ve got it.” Of course, Auriemma wasn’t throwing shade at his star player—far from it. He quickly followed up with praise for Bueckers, acknowledging, “This is quite an achievement by her (Paige Bueckers).” In other words, Bueckers’ greatness isn’t exactly breaking news at this point.

Still, Auriemma made it clear that freshman forward Sarah Strong had a serious case for the award. “Paige is so good, and she does so many things,” he explained, “but in another time, in another year, the things that Sarah did would be player, you know, Most Valuable Player, most outstanding player in the tournament. That’s how you win this tournament. You need more contributions from more people. But Paige is consistent. And she plays her best games generally when we need her to play her best games.” Translation: If Bueckers weren’t, well, Bueckers, Strong would probably have a shiny new trophy of her own.

It’s classic Auriemma—equal parts praise, expectation-setting, and motivation. He knows Bueckers is his best player, but he also knows how to push the rest of his team to step up. And honestly, he’s got a point. Sarah Strong had an incredible tournament, posting 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals in the championship game. Not to forget that in the quarterfinals against St. John’s, she stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. Again, remember that we are talking about a freshman who is among the UConn greats, Aaliyah Edwards and Napheesa Collier, as the only Husky with three double-doubles in a single conference tournament since 2000.

And this isn’t the only time Geno has hyped up Strong. “The game is slow for her,” he once noted. “She’s very confident and very comfortable with her game.” He didn’t stop there. He has also spoken about her in the same breath as Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore, capping the praise off with a, “I’m a big Sarah Strong fan”. 

At the end of the day, the debate over who should have won the award is a good problem for UConn to have. When your biggest “controversy” is that two of your players were so good that one might’ve stolen some votes from the other, you’re in a pretty sweet spot. The larger context? UConn has simply been dominant. Not only did they sweep the Big East regular season and tournament titles, but they also took home the conference’s top awards. Bueckers was named Big East Player of the Year, Strong earned Big East Freshman of the Year, and Auriemma himself was named Co-Coach of the Year. UConn’s Ashlynn Shade also won the Sixth Woman Award.

And yet, Auriemma wasn’t wrong in highlighting the team effort it took to get here. Since their loss to Tennessee in early February, the Huskies have been unstoppable, winning every game by at least 19 points. That includes a dominant 29-point victory over South Carolina, a team many have pegged as the national title favorite.

Auriemma’s comments weren’t a slight against Bueckers. They were a testament to the culture he’s built—a culture where excellence is expected, and where even a generational talent like Bueckers is pushed to be better. She may have won the award, but Auriemma’s words made one thing clear: UConn’s success isn’t about one player. It never has been.

However, this isn’t the first time Geno Auriemma has ribbed Paige Bueckers—especially when it comes to comparing her to Sarah Strong.

Auriemma’s classic rib: How Sarah Strong’s coachability stacks up against Bueckers’ stubborn freshman days

The UConn freshman has been a force this season, earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors while averaging 16.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on an efficient 57.9% shooting. But beyond the numbers, it’s her attitude that has caught Auriemma’s attention. In his eyes, Strong might be one of the most coachable players he’s ever had—a stark contrast to Bueckers when she first arrived in Storrs.

Auriemma made that clear during his February 21 appearance on The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, where he couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at his superstar senior. “Sarah loves being coached, Sarah looks right through you, like right into your soul when you’re talking to her,” Auriemma said. “She loves being coached, she asks a lot of questions, she wants to learn more than anything in the world.”

Then came the punchline. “[She’s] a 180 from Nika [Muhl] and Paige [Bueckers] when they were freshmen, when I had to convince them that I knew what I was talking about,” he quipped.

And, as always, Auriemma had a story to back it up. “I actually made this comment one time to Paige when she was a freshman. I said, ‘Listen: I’m so grateful that after 35 years of coaching, I finally had somebody come to my program that could show me everything I was doing wrong. So I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this experience.'”

Sarcastic, brutally honest, and still, in his own way, full of respect. Because while Bueckers may have given him a few headaches early on, she’s now one of the best to ever play for him. And if Strong keeps this up, she might just follow in those footsteps. Anyhow, it is good to know that with March Madness looming, the Huskies have got both a proven superstar and a rising one ready to take on the nation.