VILLANOVA, Pa. — Head coach Geno Auriemma has faced a string of unusual injuries in recent seasons. This trend continued when UConn standout Paige Bueckers sustained a knee injury in the late stages of the third quarter while chasing a loose ball. Auriemma expressed hope that this incident would not be another serious setback for the talented player.

After UConn triumphed over Villanova, with a score of 83-52, Auriemma reported that initial assessments of Bueckers’ condition were somewhat positive. “The news, from what you can tell, was not lousy,” he remarked, reflecting a glimmer of optimism.

Before the injury, Bueckers had an impressive game, contributing 15 points and nine assists. Unfortunately, the injury affected the same knee where she had previously undergone ACL surgery in 2022. The UConn team has been plagued by injuries in recent years, making it challenging to maintain a full roster on the court. Carrying forward, they are still without several key players this season, including Caroline Ducharme (concussion), Ayanna Patterson (shoulder), and Aubrey Griffin (ACL tear).

“When injuries occur, it’s natural to immediately think of the worst-case scenario,” Auriemma explained. He highlighted the dedication of the players, emphasizing their desire to compete and the difficulty in predicting these unpredictable injuries. “These kids want to play. They love playing more than anything, and we’re seeing players leave the game one by one,” he added.

The situation unfolded during a loose ball play when Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe crashed into Bueckers, causing her knee to twist awkwardly. After sitting on the court for a brief moment, Bueckers managed to get up and limp off. She went to the locker room but returned to the bench shortly after, applying ice to her knee, and did not re-enter the game.

“We have her iced up now,” Auriemma said, exhibiting cautious optimism. He also referenced past incidents involving player injuries, remarking, “These freaky things happen when someone runs into you. Much like with Azzi (Fudd), this isn’t the worst news we could have received. Considering how awkward it looked, that’s encouraging.”