Paige Bueckers made history this week, becoming the first Big East player to earn three Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.
With the honors, Bueckers adds yet another award to her trophy case, which is already full after receiving Big East Player of the Year honors for the third time last week.
Paige Bueckers Continues To Make History
As head coach Geno Auriemma’s squad finished off their perfect 18-0 Big East schedule, Bueckers proved why she’s the best player in the conference, scoring 24 points while adding eight rebounds and three assists to the books.
Bueckers finished the Big East Tournament with 67 points on 55.3% shooting, including a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe.
After clinching the final against No. 22 Creighton, Auriemma said he would have liked to see a different player take home the MOP honors.
Geno Auriemma was asked about Paige Bueckers winning Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player for a third time:
“I think Sarah (Strong) should’ve got it” 😂
Geno goes on to say: “This is quite an achievement by her.” pic.twitter.com/lrIKuRInSO
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) March 11, 2025
“I think Sarah [Strong] should’ve got it,” Auriemma said when asked about Bueckers winning the award. He then started laughing and added, “I mean, I’m just saying that because somebody will write it, she’ll hear it, she’ll read it, then I’ll have to deal with it, which will be fun.”
Auriemma continued, “I always go into this tournament, if we have the [Big East] Player of the Year, I always think someone else is going to win [Tournament MVP] because it has happened so many times. Where someone just rises up and just has an unbelievable tournament. I mean, it has happened to us a lot.
“So I’m always expecting who’s going to be that other person, that’s what I was saying about Sarah… that’s how you win this tournament. You need more contributions from more people. But Paige is steady, she’s consistent, and she plays her best games generally when we need her to play her best games.”
“This is quite an achievement by her. This conference has been around for a long time.”
KEEP READING: Is Paige Bueckers a Millionaire? How She Became One of College Basketball’s Top Earners
Strong had a stellar performance in the tournament, racking up 43 points while adding a whopping 41 rebounds. She excelled in the semifinal against Villanova, where she scored 20 and brought in 16 boards.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
