The 2024-25 season has been going exceptionally well for the UConn Huskies. Coming off four wins in their last five games, the team stepped onto the court against Villanova this Sunday. As anticipated, the Huskies delivered a commanding performance, securing an emphatic 83-52 victory over their opponents.

However, the triumph was short-lived. A frightening moment with star guard Paige Bueckers late in the third quarter eclipsed the triumph.

Amid a scary moment for Bueckers, UConn still finds hope.

The incident occurred when Bueckers, widely regarded as the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft, collided with Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe while diving for a loose ball. She immediately went down clutching her left knee—the same knee she suffered a torn ACL in that sidelined her for the entire 2022-2023 season.

For a moment, the scene in Finneran Pavilion mirrored the worst fears of UConn fans, as their star guard was surrounded by uncertainty once again.

Bueckers remained on the floor in visible pain before limping off to the locker room. However, she later returned to the bench with her knee wrapped in ice. Although she didn’t re-enter the game, head coach Geno Auriemma offered a cautiously optimistic update.

“She’s pretty good,” Auriemma shared in a courtside interview. “It was unfortunate. Paige turned her back, and it was a weird situation… but she’ll be fine. She looks good. I’m optimistic, let’s put it that way.” Later in the post-game conference, he once again reassured saying Bueckers was on ice and there wasn’t much to worry about, like the situation star guard Azzi Fudd was in earlier.

The scare drew comparisons to Fudd’s ACL tear last year and a knee sprain this season that kept her sidelined for about three games. Auriemma had to remind and reassure her that it wasn’t going to be a situation like the previous year that had kept her out for an entire season.

“I told her, ‘This is not gonna go the way it’s gone in the past. We just needed to inject some positive thinking there,'” the HC had previously conveyed. Given Bueckers’ history with injury, that’s the mindset he once again carries for the senior guard. Fudd has returned well and healthy now to average 8.3 points and 2.1 rebounds across 19 minutes. While she settles, the Huskies are ensuring their goal to win remains intact.

Despite Paige Bueckers’ setback, UConn rises to challenge and fills the void

Paige Bueckers’ importance to UConn cannot be overstated. Despite being eligible for the 2024WNBA Draft, the senior guard chose to stay with the Huskies, aiming to lead them to a national title. Averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, she has been a driving force behind the team’s impressive 13-2 record.

Sunday’s game also marked a significant milestone for Bueckers as she played her 100th game in a Huskies uniform. While fans and teammates were visibly concerned over the hiccup on such a momentous occasion, guard KK Arnold expressed relief at seeing Bueckers walk off under her own power. “Of course, it’s all in the back of our minds—hopefully, it’s not anything bad. But seeing her walk off the floor and knowing she was okay helped us finish the game strong,” Arnold noted.

Despite the scare, the Huskies maintained their dominance on the court. Freshman forward Sarah Strong led the way with 21 points. Arnold added 15 points off the bench, while Bueckers, prior to her exit, had already tallied 15 points, nine assists, and three steals in just 25 minutes of action.

The Huskies are now gearing up for their next matchup, hosting Xavier at home this Wednesday. All eyes will be on updates regarding Bueckers’ knee, but Auriemma’s optimism has provided hope that the star guard avoided a significant setback.