In Uncasville, Connecticut, Paige Bueckers has set a remarkable new standard in the Big East, earning the honor of being the first player to claim the most outstanding player award in the conference tournament three times.
Bueckers expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s very cool and hard to do something that’s never been done at UConn before,” after leading her team to a decisive 70-50 victory over Creighton in the championship game on Monday night. This win marks the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) 23rd Big East tournament title, with the last five being consecutive wins since their return to the conference in 2021.
UConn’s star player is now setting her sights on concluding her stellar college career with an NCAA championship, a major achievement she has yet to secure. Reflecting on the journey, Bueckers stated, “You work entirely for this moment, to shine in March, to play your best basketball in the most important part of the season.”
Ranked third, the Huskies have exhibited impressive form over the past month, maintaining an unbeaten streak since their defeat at Tennessee on February 6th. Their victories, all decisive with at least a 19-point margin, include a statement 29-point triumph against South Carolina. Bueckers has been pivotal to this success, poised to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft as she prepares to wrap up her time at the college.
“It’s meant everything. It’s been a dream since I was a kid. It’s been everything I could dream of,” said Bueckers. “The support, the best fans in the country. They travel everywhere. The love and support I feel and this whole team feels, it’s been a blessing and I can’t be grateful enough.” Her goal is for the team to secure a NCAA title, something UConn last accomplished in 2016 when they capped off their fourth consecutive championship, totaling eleven overall.
Bueckers understands the pressure, “I think the sense of urgency knowing that for this it’s one loss and you’re done,” Bueckers said. “Same for this tournament as the next. … I feel like we’re heading in the right direction heading into the tournament.” The Huskies are hitting peak performance at the most critical time and, crucially, they are healthier than during most times in Bueckers’ tenure. After earning the AP Player of the Year title as a freshman, her sophomore and other seasons were impacted by injuries, resulting in sitting out 19 games and skipping one season entirely. Last year, she returned to steer the Huskies to the Final Four but faced defeat against Iowa.
Coach Geno Auriemma commented on her progress, “There’s less wear and tear on her body this season and we were able to rest her, which we weren’t able to do last year,” he said. “It’s a different cast of characters around her than previous years. Every year she’s been in the tournament we’ve been at a disadvantage missing someone. Sometimes two or three. This is the first time we’re going into the tournament with most of the key pieces intact. It’s a great place for us.”
