Conference play has begun and no team can afford to slack off. Geno Auriemma and his UConn Huskies could be celebrating their win over Villanova had Paige Bueckers not gone down with an apparent knee injury. While the redshirt senior seems to be doing better, her efforts in the last conference to keep the Huskies’ record unbroken have not resulted in any significant changes in the school’s AP rankings.

In fact, after this week’s new poll, their achievements have gone down. UConn insider Emily Adams revealed on X the latest rankings, which see the first eight teams remain the same. Meaning UConn is still No. 7, but their opponent Ole Miss has gone down a place.

Being UConn’s third straight week at No. 7, the Huskies truly seem to have stagnated no matter what they do. UCLA (15-0) continues to dominate at the top spot with South Carolina (14-1) and Notre Dame (12-2) following. USC (14-1), which handed the Huskies’ their second brutal loss of the season in December, have also stayed put at No. 4, with Texas and LSU following in the 5th and 6th spots.

Auriemma’s squad will now get ready to host their first home game of the year vs. Xavier next. Even if they will not face another ranked opponent until Tennessee on Feb. 6 and then South Carolina ten days later, they will have to maintain their undefeated streak of conference wins, especially with Bueckers’ injury.

Auriemma, for his part, remains positive about the fifth-year senior, who recently celebrated her 100th game at UConn.

UConn head hog knows Paige Bueckers will be ‘fine’

The injury bug just can’t leave the Huskies alone. After Azzi Fudd missing out a major chunk of her college career so far due to injuries, Paige Bueckers also counts herself on the same list. Using her fifth-year eligibility to stay in college to possibly win a championship, an injury was perhaps not in her plans.

But unfortunately, a Villanova player accidentally stepped onto her leg as she dove for a ball. But the expected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft is doing well, per her coach.

“She’s pretty good. It was unfortunate; the kid dove for the ball and… Paige turned her back and it was a weird situation,” Auriemma said. “She’ll be fine. She looks good. I’m optimistic, let’s put it that way. I feel good.”

Well, the Huskies’ only hope to make it to March safe and sound is Paige Bueckers. Even with a talented roster, which includes freshman Sarah Strong, Bueckers’ experience cannot be underestimated. Hopefully she’ll be back on her feet soon!