Calls Mount Against Geno Auriemma as UConn HC Makes Historic Move to Replace Paige Bueckers.
“He thinks he can do great things with me, and I think so, too,” Paige Bueckers said as she committed to a program with the most championship titles. Accolades and applause have come and gone since, leaving Huskies with an era to remember. For Geno Auriemma, she has been the best player in the nation. For brands, she has been a perfect sell. For young girls, she has been just the inspiration. But while a championship still remains a feat to reach, the head coach knows it is time to look ahead.
“You know the end is near, so you’re trying to cherish it and drag it out as long as possible because you don’t want it to end,” Bueckers said of her one final dance. Seeded no.2 in the Spokane 4 region, the Huskies are aiming for their first title since 2016. While that may transpire or not, Geno Auriemma is focused on making sure UConn isn’t left shorthanded next season.
With 11 titles that have placed UConn in a class of its own, the pressure to keep the program’s success going never fades, even after star players move on. Auriemma has kept the Huskies at the top even after legends like Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore graduated. Naturally, he already has a plan to keep UConn competitive once Paige leaves next season.
According to Carl Adamec of CT Insider, Auriemma, and UConn are eyeing former Wisconsin center Serah Williams, who recently announced her decision to enter the transfer portal.
Williams, a Brooklyn native, decided to transfer from Wisconsin just three days after head coach Marisa Moseley resigned for personal reasons. Moseley, who spent nine years as an assistant at UConn, had been with the Badgers for four seasons. It was a season to remember for Williams. She averaged a double-double with 17.4 points and 10.7 rebounds. Her performances also earned her the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors from the media.
UConn might have the best backcourt in the country with Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. But the frontcourt has been a weak spot this season. Outside of freshman sensation Sarah Strong, the Huskies lack an experienced big. Bringing in Williams would help solve the issues the Huskies have dealt with this year.
But for now, the focus is on March Madness! Auriemma finally has the luxury of a healthy squad and will hope it’s enough to make a serious championship run. It was a surprise to see the Huskies reach the Final Four without the services of Azzi Fudd. Auriemma will certainly be hoping they take an extra step forward.
What’s next for Geno Auriemma and Co
The Huskies boast one of the best trios in the country. A look at the stats? There have been 1487 three-player combos in the country that have played at least 400 minutes together this season and the most efficient of them all, yes, Paige Bueckers – Azzi Fudd – Sarah Strong. If you ask them for the secret sauce, Fudd would say one word– Trust. “I think it is supper easy to have great chemistry with people that you believe 100% in.”
So when fit, they’ll definitely be a force to be reckoned with. And thanks to that, UConn were able to secure a second seed in the big dance. But Geno Auriemma wasn’t too happy to see only two teams representing the Big East in March madness.
“That’s a problem, that’s a big problem. And that’s a problem that has to be addressed, and needs to be addressed ASAP …” Auriemma said. “I know since we’ve been back (in the Big East), we’ve had five in. So we go from five to two. That’s not good. When we go to these meetings, some of these things are gonna have to be addressed, and they’re not just women’s basketball issues, they’re big-picture issues.”
UConn’s NCAA Tournament journey begins on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Gampel Pavilion. They’ll face No. 15 seed Arkansas, a team making its first NCAA appearance. The Red Wolves are riding high after winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament and will be eager to pull off a huge upset. But it won’t be easy! Auriemma and the Huskies will head into the game as heavy favorites, especially with the home-court advantage. ESPN gives UConn a 99% chance of moving on to the second round.
While Auriemma may have one eye on the future but right now, it’s all about securing UConn’s 12th championship. The journey starts now.
