'The More Aggressive She Is, The Better Our Team Is' — UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Gets Real On Paige Bueckers

‘The More Aggressive She Is, The Better Our Team Is’ — UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Gets Real On Paige Bueckers

Shayni Maitra

February 21, 2025 | 9:46 AM EST

‘The More Aggressive She Is, The Better Our Team Is’ — UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Gets Real On Paige Bueckers — Feb 12, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) returns the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Lashae Dwyer (13) in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Paige Bueckers and the No. 5 UConn Huskies showed no mercy against Seton Hall Wednesday night, delivering a dominant 91-49 victory. The game wasn’t just about the win—it was about Bueckers making history while brushing off a brief injury scare.

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Geno Auriemma Praises Paige Bueckers’ Impact

Following the game, head coach Geno Auriemma discussed Bueckers’ recent performances and the influence she has on the team.

“She draws a lot of attention to herself, which is good,” Auriemma said, per an X post from SNY.

“She could go out there and try to get 25 shots every night if she wanted it to be that way, but she doesn’t. I just want to make sure she takes advantage on all the opportunities that she has. The more aggressive she is the better our team is.”

Geno Auriemma on Paige Bueckers: pic.twitter.com/Q8YC08mW7t

— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) February 20, 2025

“She could try to go out there and try to get 25 shots every night if she wanted it to be that way, but she doesn’t,” Auriemma said. “…I just want to make sure she takes advantage of all the opportunities that she has. But every time she does force the action, every time she’s coming down the floor… she sees everything that’s going on.

He continued, “So, the more aggressive she is, as you said, I think the better our team is.”

Auriemma emphasized that Bueckers’ contributions go beyond just scoring.

“That doesn’t always represent how many points you scored or how many shots you took. I thought she played a great game over the weekend, and she played really well today. And what did she take—13 shots or something like that?”

Paige Bueckers Moves Up UConn’s All-Time Scoring List

Bueckers, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, put on a show with 23 points, surpassing Diana Taurasi on UConn’s all-time scoring list. She shot 8-of-13 from the field while also contributing nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Her ability to take over games without forcing shots has been a key factor in UConn’s success.

There was a brief moment of concern when Bueckers appeared to tweak her knee, but she quickly returned to the court, proving it wasn’t too serious. Her resilience has been a major asset for the Huskies as they push toward their championship aspirations.

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UConn will need Bueckers to maintain this level of play as they continue their pursuit of a national title. Her leadership, efficiency, and ability to make the right plays at the right time are crucial for the team’s success in March Madness.

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