The rest of the NCAA women's tournament field has been warned.
By leading UConn to its record-extending 30th consecutive Sweet 16 with 32 points in Monday's 72-64 win over Syracuse, guard Paige Bueckers announced the Huskies have what it takes to win a national title.
UConn extends the longest Sweet 16 streak by ANY team in NCAA Tournament history pic.twitter.com/ZLKhWEk48l
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 26, 2024
Since the start of the Big East Tournament (five games), Bueckers has averaged 28.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.8 blocks per game.
She finished Monday's game 14-of-25 from the field and had her floater going early in the second quarter.
Paige Bueckers is up to 10 points! pic.twitter.com/bW0nxsO4c7
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 25, 2024
Bueckers got to where she wanted on the court, whether with an assist from a teammate on a well-placed screen or by blowing past a helpless defender.
Paige Bueckers midrange > pic.twitter.com/L4gddgdap1
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 25, 2024
Paige Bueckers gets to 25! pic.twitter.com/8SvhGt6URB
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 25, 2024
She only made one three, but it was massive. She gave the Huskies a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter after bombing one from deep on a catch-and-shoot well beyond the arc.
PAIGE BUECKERS pic.twitter.com/x9xolBgIKG
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 25, 2024
Then, in a two-point game late, Bueckers calmly pulled up from just inside the paint and drained a bucket over two Syracuse defenders.
Paige. Bueckers. pic.twitter.com/Ej50kulVui
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 26, 2024
Afterward, head coach Geno Auriemma praised his sensational senior guard.
"We have the best player in America. Just saying that because the numbers, in this world of analytics, say that she is. And the stat sheet says that she is. And everybody that watched knows it"
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) March 26, 2024
- Geno Auriemma on Paige Bueckers pic.twitter.com/xEoiXuEBQk
"We have the best player in America," said the 11-time NCAA Tournament-winning coach. "Just saying that because the numbers, in this world of analytics, say that she is. And the stat sheet says that she is," Auriemma continued.
He ended his praise by declaring, "And everybody that watched knows it."
With so many incredible players in this year's tournament, it's difficult to say who's the best. But it's hard to argue anyone is playing better than Bueckers since the end of the regular season.
If she keeps it up, UConn might just be the one cutting down the net.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!