Paige - UConn superstar, one of the best to come to our university.

[Bald Husky]

Paige Bueckers, UConn superstar, one of the best to come to our university. We all know what Paige has done in the first few years here, and we all know too well the struggles she has had with injuries. Last year she was injury free, this year, except for a minor injury, the same.
At the beginning of the year she was very happy, doing workouts during the summer, getting to mesh with her new teammates, getting ready for her last attempt to achieve a National Championship.
Three months later, things seemed to have changed. Paige has an enormous amount of pressure on her. Not winning the big games, media saying she is losing the battle with other top players for POY, podcasts telling stories that are just made up putting a bad light on Paige, and of course it doesn't help when your own head coach throws you under the bus on national TV. How much can one player take, she says she is not on social media much, but the content of all these opinions does get to her, I'm sure.
The look on Paiges and KKs faces at the post game tells it all. No happiness in Storrs right now, so the coaching staff, including Geno has to change the atmosphere when they get together, and try to fix what is missing. FIRST, Paige has to assume the PG position, a position that gained her NPOY honors in 2021. Geno, get off her back, let her play the way she wants to play at and at the position that she is best suited for. Get aggressive, every position should have Paige looking to score, or at least get the ball to the player that will score. We need scorers in the starting lineup, like Ashlynn, KK, or anyone else that usually has a spark to their game. Do it now, what is going on now isn't working. If Azzi or any player is in foul trouble, get them out as they are defensive liabilities.
Its obvious that we won't win the NC the way the team is playing, so I'm just hoping that our assistants aren't too bogged down with the past that they can come up with a solution. We don't have much time, so tomorrow would be a good time to start before we risk our reputation again on national TV against a great SC team. What do you all think, is there too much pressure on Paige, and is it hurting the team?

 

[scotty0330]

It’s no different than pressure he put on his other star players. He called them out when they struggled.

The injuries have set her back it’s quite clear as her stats as a freshman were better across board than they are now. It also doesn’t help when she is getting little reliable help outside of Strong.

 

[BobbyJ]

Paige Bueckers, UConn superstar, one of the best to come to our university. We all know what Paige has done in the first few years here, and we all know too well the struggles she has had with injuries. Last year she was injury free, this year, except for a minor injury, the same.
At the beginning of the year she was very happy, doing workouts during the summer, getting to mesh with her new teammates, getting ready for her last attempt to achieve a National Championship.
Three months later, things seemed to have changed. Paige has an enormous amount of pressure on her. Not winning the big games, media saying she is losing the battle with other top players for POY, podcasts telling stories that are just made up putting a bad light on Paige, and of course it doesn't help when your own head coach throws you under the bus on national TV. How much can one player take, she says she is not on social media much, but the content of all these opinions does get to her, I'm sure.
The look on Paiges and KKs faces at the post game tells it all. No happiness in Storrs right now, so the coaching staff, including Geno has to change the atmosphere when they get together, and try to fix what is missing. FIRST, Paige has to assume the PG position, a position that gained her NPOY honors in 2021. Geno, get off her back, let her play the way she wants to play at and at the position that she is best suited for. Get aggressive, every position should have Paige looking to score, or at least get the ball to the player that will score. We need scorers in the starting lineup, like Ashlynn, KK, or anyone else that usually has a spark to their game. Do it now, what is going on now isn't working. If Azzi or any player is in foul trouble, get them out as they are defensive liabilities.
Its obvious that we won't win the NC the way the team is playing, so I'm just hoping that our assistants aren't too bogged down with the past that they can come up with a solution. We don't have much time, so tomorrow would be a good time to start before we risk our reputation again on national TV against a great SC team. What do you all think, is there too much pressure on Paige, and is it hurting the team?

The bolded area is well over the top and you're using the same "under the bus" line that the podcasters are using to get listeners and sell stuff. Auriemma said the same stuff and some worse to and about Taurasi, Bird, and Charles and they survived, flourished, and still love him. And how about what he said to KLS? I think Bueckers will be just fine and this is just a bunch of made up drama.

 

[oldude]

I have commented before on the growth of online sports commentary sites that are nothing more than “clickbait.” These include Essentially Sports, Marca Sports, Athlon Sports and even the once venerable Sports Illustrated, to name a few. They use AI generated algorithms connected to your internet searches on your smartphone or computer to feed you stories on subjects you search on.

For many of us here on the BY, that means all things UConn WBB. So lately, I’ve been getting lots of stories with clickbait titles about Paige’s decline along with Geno’s bad coaching decisions. If you actually take the time to read through these articles, they are thinly sourced to the point where some even quote online social media criticism from “unnamed sources.”

I wish there was some kind of a “Do not call” list for unwanted internet media sites. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist to my knowledge.

We should all do ourselves a favor. When these BS articles pop up on your search engine, just ignore them.

 

[JellyBean]

When players commit to UConn, they know the expectations, the culture, the coaching, and the pressure that comes with that commitment. Paige is no different than any other of the legends that came before her who all went through the Coach G and the rest of the coaching staff gauntlet of coaching. She can handle the pressure as well as the rest of the team. That is why they come, and many stay, to UConn.

 

[AmeriConn]

Paige and Azzi step up. The end.

 

[oldude]

Back to clickbait. An article just popped up in my search engine from Essentially Sports titled “Geno drops bold SuperBowl prediction that could infuriate “Swiftie” Caitlin Clark”. I don’t have to read the article to know what it’s about. Geno is a lifetime Eagles fan, as is Dawn Staley. Geno is picking his beloved Eagles to win the Superbowl. Obviously, Taylor Swift is pulling for boyfriend Travis Kelce’s KC Chiefs, and CC is a big fan of Swift as well as the KC Chiefs.

The article is attempting to play up some kind of manufactured public feud between Geno & CC over a football game that just doesn’t exist. I am proud to say that I refused to click on the article.

 

[my2cents]

Every team we play has the same game plan, stop Paige Bueckers. She gets the other teams best defender and double teamed off of picks. When Fudd, Chen, Shade are not shooting well from threes, it just makes it harder for Paige. Basketball is a very team oriented game and all the pieces play a roll.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Paige Bueckers, UConn superstar, one of the best to come to our university. We all know what Paige has done in the first few years here, and we all know too well the struggles she has had with injuries. Last year she was injury free, this year, except for a minor injury, the same.
At the beginning of the year she was very happy, doing workouts during the summer, getting to mesh with her new teammates, getting ready for her last attempt to achieve a National Championship.
Three months later, things seemed to have changed. Paige has an enormous amount of pressure on her. Not winning the big games, media saying she is losing the battle with other top players for POY, podcasts telling stories that are just made up putting a bad light on Paige, and of course it doesn't help when your own head coach throws you under the bus on national TV. How much can one player take, she says she is not on social media much, but the content of all these opinions does get to her, I'm sure.
The look on Paiges and KKs faces at the post game tells it all. No happiness in Storrs right now, so the coaching staff, including Geno has to change the atmosphere when they get together, and try to fix what is missing. FIRST, Paige has to assume the PG position, a position that gained her NPOY honors in 2021. Geno, get off her back, let her play the way she wants to play at and at the position that she is best suited for. Get aggressive, every position should have Paige looking to score, or at least get the ball to the player that will score. We need scorers in the starting lineup, like Ashlynn, KK, or anyone else that usually has a spark to their game. Do it now, what is going on now isn't working. If Azzi or any player is in foul trouble, get them out as they are defensive liabilities.
Its obvious that we won't win the NC the way the team is playing, so I'm just hoping that our assistants aren't too bogged down with the past that they can come up with a solution. We don't have much time, so tomorrow would be a good time to start before we risk our reputation again on national TV against a great SC team. What do you all think, is there too much pressure on Paige, and is it hurting the team?

I have not followed UConn WBB much this season because I am busy building a new home but I did catch the Tennessee game. I know it is not popular to comment on UConn after a loss but what I saw was a great player, Paige, struggling to enjoy the game, such a difference than the generational player I remember as a freshman. Paige still has the skills, it is obvious by some of the assist and shots she makes, what she appears to have lost is the joy of playing the game. I remember her slapping hands with Geno and showing pure joy for just playing that it affected the whole team, very much like HH affects the ND WBB team. How does she get that back, I do not know but I long to see that player again, she was a real joy to watch!

 

[Rowdy831]

Listen, I like to comment on players and sometimes it isn't very positive. But with Paige it seems like Geno is putting the ball in the hands of KC and then blaming Paige when she doesn't take over the game. First I don't see any reason that KC is playing in front of players that Geno recruited and she certainly isn't on a level with Paige or Azzi for that matter.

So Geno is 100% to blame for what Paige is or isn't on the floor. Her freshman year she played in her natural position and did an outstanding job. Since then she has been a post or wing which takes her out of the initiation of the offense role and also the position to take over a game. Geno needs to look in mirror and realize this team is only as good as Paige is and she needs to have the ball in her hands unless she is sitting next to him on the bench.

Lastly why do they have 4 guards on the floor? They don't need more outside shooting, they need an inside game and they have the bodies to work the ball inside on offense. Azzi, Sarah and Paige give them more than enough shooting to create problems for every team. The need to have Jana playing the majority of the game and another 6'2 or taller player along side her. If you think the Tennessee game was bad on the boards wait until they play SC.

 

[oldude]

I have not followed UConn WBB much this season because I am busy building a new home but I did catch the Tennessee game. I know it is not popular to comment on UConn after a loss but what I saw was a great player, Paige, struggling to enjoy the game, such a difference than the generational player I remember as a freshman. Paige still has the skills, it is obvious by some of the assist and shots she makes, what she appears to have lost is the joy of playing the game. I remember her slapping hands with Geno and showing pure joy for just playing that it affected the whole team, very much like HH affects the ND WBB team. How does she get that back, I do not know but I long to see that player again, she was a real joy to watch!

I commented on Paige’s joy or lack there of a few weeks back. Aaliyah and Nika are gone. I suspect their departure has put a lot more pressure on Paige. Like you, I would love to see Paige play with the same freedom and joy that she showed us all during her freshman season.

She reminded me of DT’s emotional breakdown during her jr year at UConn, after teammates Sue, Swin, Asjha & Tamika were all drafted into the pros. DT felt the pressure to carry the Huskies to another championship, which she did, but it wasn’t easy for her.

 

[Zarathustra]

The bolded area is well over the top and you're using the same "under the bus" line that the podcasters are using to get listeners and sell stuff. Auriemma said the same stuff and some worse to and about Taurasi, Bird, and Charles and they survived, flourished, and still love him. And how about what he said to KLS? I think Bueckers will be just fine and this is just a bunch of made up drama.

Paige is already "fine". No "will be" about it... In my opinion there is a lot a pressure out there (both on and off the court). I ignore the "click bait" headlines about UCONN, GENO, and Paige. I believe that most Boneyarders realize the quality
of the Husky team/family bonding. Go UCONN!

 

[Charliebball]

I'm pretty sure that any pressure that Geno is putting on Paige is far less than the internal pressure that Paige is putting on herself.......I have a feeling she has hit a bit of a wall physically and mentally and only she can climb over or crash through that wall by the time the regular season ends......I have faith that she will do just that by the time that playoffs arrive and believe that UConn will have a very good chance of reaching another Final Four let the draw be damned......

 

[HuskyNan]

The bolded area is well over the top and you're using the same "under the bus" line that the podcasters are using to get listeners and sell stuff. Auriemma said the same stuff and some worse to and about Taurasi, Bird, and Charles and they survived, flourished, and still love him. And how about what he said to KLS? I think Bueckers will be just fine and this is just a bunch of made up drama.

Some fans complain the team is “too soft” but object when Geno criticizes them, for being too hard on them. Tough players don’t wilt under criticism

 

[BobbyJ]

Some fans complain the team is “too soft” but object when Geno criticizes them, for being too hard on them. Tough players don’t wilt under criticism

It's because those fans maybe don't have and don't understand the mindset of really tough players. Not all his players are necessarily tough, but GA knows which ones can handle his criticism and which ones can't. He knows this team's limitations and realizes that their best and maybe only shot is to have Bueckers pissed off for the stretch run.

 

[ABCDFE]

I think there's maybe too much internal pressure that Paige and Azzi are putting on themselves and then add in perhaps all the injury history that has occurred, which maybe has led to them being not in the right place mentally. As a UCONN fan, I have to hope that Paige and Azzi will figure it out by tournament time. In the end even if Paige and Azzi play lights out, the supporting cast has to do more. I'm looking at Shade, Chen, and Jana, and Ice in particular. I believe Sarah, Aubrey and KK will be up to the challenge. But only Sarah is a true offensive threat right now. So inevitably I put the pressure on Shade to be honest. But of course the stars have to align. Paige, Azzi, Sarah all have to play well and we have to hope that Shade plays great for us to have any real shot. Again, a lot of ifs, that's why I don't think this team makes it to the FF this year. The real disappointment is I didn't feel this way at the beginning of the year, so this team has certainly underachieved expectations.

 

[Bald Husky]

All I'm really saying is let Paige play the game she knows how to play. Let her play PG and she will decide how to play. According to Geno it is her team, well, let her run her team. Thats all I am asking. Forget all the outside crap, just wish Geno would just tell her, go play, without his over coaching. She knows what she needs to do, so let her.

 

[packwrap]

I'm still a huge believer in Paige and this '25 version of the Huskies. I think the look on their faces is coming up short in a tight national game AGAIN. They know they did not play their best against ND, USC or Tenn, yet they were in all 3 games down the stretch only to watch opponent close better. I don't see any internal team issue.

Note Tenn lost 5 consecutive close games, before finally prevailing v UConn.

When Paige makes a steal, breaks the press with behind the back dribble, passes out of a pull up to Sarah for an easy lay up, hits Aubrey with a bomb over the press, sinks a deep 3 with another high bounce off the rim, or makes the now famous elbow jumper- all against Tenn...she is our Paige, a hero.

When she passes up a 3, misses a jumper, bungles a lay up, throws pass out of bounds, picks up a third foul, is timid against a hard driving guard- all also v Tenn...then she is a bum, won't go #1 in draft, not getting along with Geno, should have left UConn already, not healed properly, not really all-american, is soft.

It's silly. The expectations are just unmatchable.

One more made shot, one better defensive stop was the difference in that game. Not just Paige.

Good she is not on social media.

Now let team do what the LVols did. Use the loss as motivation, go into another packed arena, get into another barn burner with a quick athletic team, but this time shoot better, defend better, box out, and close out a win!

These close games against good teams are more fun for us to watch, and more fun for the team to play in. Enjoy SC.

 

[oldude]

All I'm really saying is let Paige play the game she knows how to play. Let her play PG and she will decide how to play. According to Geno it is her team, well, let her run her team. Thats all I am asking. Forget all the outside crap, just wish Geno would just tell her, go play, without his over coaching. She knows what she needs to do, so let her.

This idea that Paige needs to play pg is not based in reality. UConn has always run a motion offense where several players initiate the offense. Even during her freshman NPOY season, Paige shared ball handling duties with Nika and E. Some folks want Paige to bring the ball up the court every possession and either shoot it or drop a dime on a teammate to shoot the ball, much like CC did at Iowa.

Such a strategy would be ill-conceived at best, allowing UConn opponents to easily disrupt their offense by taking away one player. If you have any question whether that’s even possible, once again I direct you to JuJu Watkins last 3 games vs unranked opponents where she shot an abysmal 19/57 (3/19 from 3).

As for Paige at PG, she had the basketball in her hands in the half court offense more often than any other Husky vs TN, took more shots than any other player on either side (16), as well as leading both teams with 8 assists and only 1 turnover for an incredible A/TO ratio of 8.0. Add in 4 rebounds, 1 steal and some tough defense and, other than shooting the basketball, Paige played a pretty damned good game.

 

[Happydad745]

I read an article today, about Paige still being a great player, but no longer a generational talent...maybe injuries and time have slowed her a little.

 

[Bone Dog]

I commented on Paige’s joy or lack there of a few weeks back. Aaliyah and Nika are gone. I suspect their departure has put a lot more pressure on Paige.

I mentioned something similar in my postgame thread comment, that Paige seems oppressed somehow. And you may have hit on the reason -- the departure of Aaliyah and Nika.

It's not about the skill level of her teammates, but personalities. Aaliyah was a rock everyone could lean on, and Nika brought the emotional fire any great team needs. With them gone, now Paige has to supply all of that by herself -- she needs to be both the rock and the fire. That's a lot to ask of anyone. Sarah is a great talent, maybe we'll find that she's greater than Aaliyah in the next few years, but she is not fiery. And Azzi is also not a fiery personality -- she can dominate a game with a smile, but not with the fiery roar Nika would bring. Aubrey is certainly not going to bring that sort of fire either. And KK and Ash can be incredible forces on the court, even if they can also be inconsistent.

I don't think Geno is being mean to Paige -- and the other more mature players: Azzi, Kaitlyn, Aubrey. He's trying to provoke a response from them, and this is one of the tools in his little kit for getting what the team needs from its leaders.

So, the question is, if Geno's gambit works, who do we think will step up and supply the fire next to Paige? My money is on KK, who is the most Nika-like of the current Huskies. She may need more minutes to have the impact Geno is looking for, though I don't think it matters whether she starts or not. In November, I had hoped Jana might bring the fire, since that's who she was in her pre-injury days. But she hasn't been able to do that for the team yet.

 

[packwrap]

I read an article today, about Paige still being a great player, but no longer a generational talent...maybe injuries and time have slowed her a little.

LOL, a generation is 15-20 years. It will be difficult anyway to choose the generational talent of this generation of players.

Pick one of Stewie, Wilson, Ionescu, DelleDonne, Clark, Bueckers, Collier, Boston, Hidalgo, JuJu, Strong.

Many very good players, players of the year, but only one of this group can be the generational player.

 

[oldude]

I mentioned something similar in my postgame thread comment, that Paige seems oppressed somehow. And you may have hit on the reason -- the departure of Aaliyah and Nika.

It's not about the skill level of her teammates, but personalities. Aaliyah was a rock everyone could lean on, and Nika brought the emotional fire any great team needs. With them gone, now Paige has to supply all of that by herself -- she needs to be both the rock and the fire. That's a lot to ask of anyone. Sarah is a great talent, maybe we'll find that she's greater than Aaliyah in the next few years, but she is not fiery. And Azzi is also not a fiery personality -- she can dominate a game with a smile, but not with the fiery roar Nika would bring. Aubrey is certainly not going to bring that sort of fire either. And KK and Ash can be incredible forces on the court, even if they can also be inconsistent.

I don't think Geno is being mean to Paige -- and the other more mature players: Azzi, Kaitlyn, Aubrey. He's trying to provoke a response from them, and this is one of the tools in his little kit for getting what the team needs from its leaders.

So, the question is, if Geno's gambit works, who do we think will step up and supply the fire next to Paige? My money is on KK, who is the most Nika-like of the current Huskies. She may need more minutes to have the impact Geno is looking for, though I don't think it matters whether she starts or not. In November, I had hoped Jana might bring the fire, since that's who she was in her pre-injury days. But she hasn't been able to do that for the team yet.

Again, I’m my postgame thread I indicated my preference for KK to start at pg and Aubrey to start at center.