The focus is firmly on Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies this season. Bueckers is finally healthy after injuries hampered a major part of her college career and she is also projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She knows that this time she has to deliver and deliver big. Hence, she minced no words when talking about the expectations from her final UConn season. She has only one focus- to get the Huskies back on top.

But if Bueckers needed a reminder of what it expected of her this term, she got it from her head coach Geno Auriemma. The UConn Huskies have had a tough last few seasons, dealing with injuries to key players and struggling to find their best form on the court. But things are looking up this season already, with four key players back from injury and Auriemma isn’t just hopeful but cautious. 

Along with Bueckers, the Huskies will also see the return of Azzi Fudd, the top player in the 2021 class. After three years of setbacks, including a torn ACL, which have prevented Fudd from playing a full season, she is on the path to recovery. With Bueckers and Fudd slated to take to the court for the Huskies there is renewed optimism in their ranks.

Talking to NBC Sports on Wednesday, coach Auriemma answered how the scenario is different for the Huskies this year compared to the last two years. He said, “Paige is really under the gun this year because everyone’s expectations are so high. And when Azzi comes back, they are gonna be higher.” 

The expectations among the Huskies fanbase would be to see their side win a record-breaking 12th national championship. With both Fudd and Bueckers hopefully playing together this season, the notion isn’t misplaced. In Auriemma, they have a successful and experienced coach, who has 11 national championships to his name. All he needed was a fully fit Huskies squad and this year he may finally have it.

Addressing the situation further, he pointed out, “How many players on our roster have really played a lot of games at UConn? If I put out my most experienced roster out there, it’s gonna be Paige and Azzi, Paige has played (some games), I don’t know how much Azzi has played. Ice(Brady) has played one year, my most experienced and then Ash(Ashlynn Shade), and KK (Arnold),  Kaitlyn Chen, who has never played for us. So you look out there all the other guys are freshmen.”

KK Arnold, Ashlynn Shade, and Kaitlyn Chen, all will be adorning the Huskies jersey for the first time together. This is something that will excite the fans but will make them nervous as well. Shade has quickly made her mark for her ability to score from all over the court; she dropped 21 points in a standout game against DePaul. Being a freshman, KK Arnold is surprisingly brilliant when it comes to her defensive skills and offensive maturity.

Then we have Chen, who lit up the Ivy League at Princeton. Back in 2022, she even earned MVP honors. As she begins her journey with UConn, we’ll have to see what she has got. Lastly, there’s Jana El Alfy, who could be the team’s secret weapon. After months of rehabbing and gaining strength, she is determined.

So, even with a roster lacking in experience, this team has the potential to be something special after a long history of injuries. Still, the young team could take time to gel and that is where Bueckers have even more responsibility according to Auriemma.

The coach said, “So it’s really something that is gonna take some time. But the talent I think we have, we are much deeper, I think will hopefully offset the lack of experience. And Paige is gonna have to do a lot until that happens.” 

Paige Bueckers is coming off a season of ups and downs but is finally savoring a healthy offseason. “I’m enjoying it,” she said. “I haven’t had a lot of time this whole college career to work on my skills and get better during the offseason, work on my weaknesses and get better at my strengths.” 

For the time being, she is honing playing 1-on-1, working on her shooting range, and getting stronger, and winning the championship is the only thing on her mind.

“Sense of urgency” driving Bueckers in her final UConn season

If Paige Bueckers is unable to lead UConn to any sort of success this season, it will be a case of what could have been. Bueckers understands that her program’s success will play a pivotal role in her draft prospects next year and she is determined to go out on top.

Talking to SNY’s Chelsea Sherrod, Bueckers made her expectations clear for this season. “Obviously I feel a sense of urgency. It’s definitely National Championship or bust.” 

She added, “But just not focusing on that, focusing on winning every single day we have in front of us, winning our practice, winning in the weight room, just enjoying each other’s company, embracing it, taking no day for granted.” 

With two top players returning from injury to fulfill their potential, a legendary coach at the helm, and Bueckers eyeing a championship after years of misfortune, the story writes itself. Huskies haven’t tasted national championship success since 2016 and there may not be a more perfect time to do it.

If they can execute their game plan and stay healthy, this team has what it takes to take down some big names this season. With Bueckers leading, this could be their much-anticipated comeback!