Paige Bueckers had her mission set before entering this season: to win the championship in her final redshirt year in the college basketball circuit. While the UConn guard is the leading top scorer for the Huskies, she has also faced a fair amount of scrutiny for failing in matchups against the likes of USC Trojans, which resulted in the team’s loss. However, despite the chatter, head coach Geno Auriemma stands firmly in her corner as he sheds light on Bueckers’ powerful drive to lead the team.

Ahead of UConn’s matchup against Providence on Sunday, Geno Auriemma spoke to the media about Paige Bueckers’ mental readiness. The coach began by addressing how heavy expectations and the team’s struggles can sometimes throw a player off their game. However, he quickly shifted gears to commend Bueckers for how seriously she embraces the pressure and takes on the high expectations placed on her.

“Over the break, you know we talked a lot about um her ability, uh to fight off some of the physicalness off the ball and on the ball I think I think sometimes she takes it to heart,” said Auriemma. He went on to say that this often makes her her own worst enemy, as she tends to pile on the pressure and take sole responsibility for leading the team. 

The 23-year-old guard has been UConn’s top scorer in 50% of their fixtures so far, stepping up in 6 out of 12 matchups. She’s also leading the team’s scoring charts and is the only player averaging over 20 points per game this season. The head coach also praised Bueckers for her resilience and determination, acknowledging the effort she puts into her role.

“She always presents um ‘I’ve got I’ve got things under control I’ve got you know I’ve got my sh-t together I know what I’m doing I’m fine nobody has to worry about me um I don’t care about anything other than winning.’ you know being a great teammate all those things that’s who she presents herself to be and I think that’s what carries you through these these tough times is you don’t dwell on them and you you know you don’t let it define who you are,” Auriemma told media. 

Auriemma hasn’t held back when discussing the pressure that falls heavily on Bueckers, especially when the rest of the team doesn’t step up. Earlier this month, he emphasized that her teammates need to share the load to ease the weight on her shoulders.

Geno Auriemma calls for team support as Paige Bueckers shoulders the major weight

UConn’s first loss of the season came against Notre Dame in early December. After the game, Auriemma spoke to the media, sharing his thoughts on how the overwhelming pressure on Bueckers was starting to take a toll on her performance.

“You got to take some of the pressure off of Paige, you know? And sometimes, she’s her worst enemy because she over penetrate. It’s the to try to get something in traffic and get to the free-throw line and blah blah blah. And I think she, you know, she makes it a little bit harder on herself,” the head coach told the media. Bueckers had notched 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists and led the Huskies in that game.

Auriemma had also said, “We need a lot of contributions and Paige is gonna try and carry the team by herself when she thinks there aren’t a lot of those contributions. And that’s not good for her. And that’s not good for us.” The head coach has previously voiced concerns about the team’s lack of experience, as several senior players have been sidelined by injuries. With a roster of 14, nearly two-thirds of the squad hasn’t been tested in high-stakes situations.

After their tough loss to the USC Trojans, it’s clear the team needs to regroup and deliver a stronger, more cohesive performance. With a one-week break behind them, it’ll be exciting to see how they bounce back in their next game against Providence on Sunday, December 29. While the head coach has consistently shown empathy for Bueckers, there’s no doubt he’ll be counting on his star player to step up and lead the charge.