Paige Bueckers is one of the best players in women’s college basketball and in UConn Huskies’ history. However, the Huskies will not have the former National Player of the Year on the court in the 2022-2023 season. Bueckers tore her ACL in a pickup game back in August. The star point guard missed 19 games in the 2021-2022 season, returning for the Huskies NCAA tournament run that season.
Bueckers and her run in the NCAA Tournament
Arguably, her best game came in last year’s NCAA tournament against top-seeded NC State. Bueckers scored 27 points, going 10 of 15 from the field, grabbing six rebounds in the 91-87 double-overtime win. Next, she had 14 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in the Huskies’ Final Four win over Stanford.
For the 22nd time in school history, UConn is headed to the Final Four after beating No. 1 NC State 91-87 in 2OT. Their 14th straight trip. Paige Bueckers led all scorers with 27 points. #MarchMadness
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) March 29, 2022
In the end, Uconn’s season ended with a loss to South Carolina in the national championship game. Thanks to her efforts, she was named to NCAA Tournament Final Four All-Tournament Team.
She averaged 14.6 points and 4 rebounds in total while shooting 54.4 percent from the field in the 2021-2022 season. Does the question still linger if UConn can get back to their 13th national championship game without the star guard?
UConn and their roster without Bueckers
While the focus is not having Bueckers out there, the Huskies are without three key players as well. Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Evina Westbrook were all taken in this year’s WNBA Draft. Significantly, all three were seniors, losing a bit of leadership. As for the current roster, there’s some potential on the court this season.
First, forward Dorka Juhász, a graduate student, is up for the Lisa Leslie Award, which goes to the best center in women’s college basketball. Last season, Juhász averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds last season for UConn after transferring from Ohio State. Another forward, junior Aaliyah Edwards, is up for the Katrina McClain Award, going to the best forward in women’s college basketball. Edwards averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, making the 2022 Big East All-Tournament Team.
Basketball Hall of Fame, @WBCA1981 Name 20 Centers to 2023 @LisaLeslie Award Watch List. #LeslieAward | #HoophallU
— University of Hoophall (@hoophallu) October 21, 2022
🔗: https://t.co/QdHDumfKEW pic.twitter.com/okrdc4fRFp
Life without Bueckers really comes down to guard play on the roster. Specifically guards Nika Mühl, Caroline Ducharme and Azzi Fudd. Mühl was the 2022 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, starting 19 games in the 2021-2022 season. Ducharme averaged 9.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in her freshman season last season, starting 11 games. Lastly, Fudd averaged 12.1 points, shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. She also went 45.7 percent from the field last season.
Overall, the Huskies have what it takes to make it to their unprecedented 13th national championship game in school history. Be that as it may, it’s hard to replace that spark Bueckers adds to the roster. So, for now, just call Paige Bueckers coach.
Coach @paigebueckers1 came ready for Media Day 😂
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) October 3, 2022
🎥 @MuhlNika pic.twitter.com/I88a4bnDXU
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