UConn’s winning ways continued, but Geno Auriemma’s words cut deeper than any opponent’s. Their 71-40 win over St. John’s secured a spot in the semifinals for the 37th straight season—something they haven’t missed since 1988. But the biggest takeaway wasn’t the Huskies’ latest blowout. It was Auriemma’s blunt honesty about the team’s growing injury concerns and Paige Bueckers making history.
The Huskies have been battling injuries all season, and Auriemma made it clear that one key player’s status for the Big East Tournament wasn’t looking good. And that is none other than Aubrey Griffin. When asked if she’d be available for the next game, he didn’t sugarcoat it. “Probably not,” he said. No optimism, no hesitation—just the reality that she wouldn’t play.
But the concern goes deeper than just this week. Auriemma also admitted that at one point, he wasn’t sure if Griffin—or even Caroline Ducharme—would ever play for UConn again. “When you have a back issue, that’s usually retirement for a lot of athletes,” he said. “Then the ACL—it’s a lot to overcome.”
While Griffin made a brief return in January after recovering from an ACL tear that forced her to miss the last half of the previous season and the first half of this one, Auriemma is prioritizing caution. She has been dealing with knee soreness since UConn’s regular-season finale against Marquette. It does not matter that she had shown flashes of her old self, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, plus four rebounds in just 13 minutes on Senior Day. Geno’s focus remains fixed on getting her fully healthy for the NCAA Tournament.
“She was really sore after the Marquette game,” Auriemma explained. “So, the thinking was, if we had to [play her], we could, but if we don’t, then it’s best to give her all this time so that she’s 100% ready to go for the NCAA Tournament.” Hence, Griffin was noticeably absent from the Huskies’ pregame warm-ups, instead observing from the sidelines dressed in a casual sweatsuit.
Her teammates must definitely be missing Griffin, especially Paige Bueckers, since both are in their senior season. The two were supposed to have a triumphant final season together, but fate had other plans. And it does not help that their class, described by Geno Auriemma as a weird makeup, has always been marked by separation. Unlike previous senior classes, like Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mühl, who spent four years playing together, Bueckers and Griffin have had their time on the court disrupted by injuries.
So Bueckers, who knows the toll injuries can take- having had a knee injury that impacted two straight seasons- weighed in on her teammate’s fight to stay on the court. “It’s tough to see your teammates go through that,” Bueckers said. “I know what it’s like to be sidelined, to feel like you’re missing out. She’s worked so hard to get back, and we all just want to see her out there playing and having fun.”
As for the game, though, UConn took care of business as usual. The Huskies held St. John’s without a basket for nearly nine minutes, ripping off a 22-0 run. Fudd led the way early, while Bueckers, Kaitlyn Chen, and Jana El Alfy chipped in. The Red Storm hit a few late threes, but it was never close.
But just when it seemed like the focus was shifting back to the court, Auriemma dropped something unexpected—something that made everyone stop and take notice. Just two days ago, Paige Bueckers made history. She became only the third player in Big East history to win Player of the Year three times. She won it as a freshman, again last season, and now adds a third to her name. The only other players to do it? Villanova’s Shelley Pennefather and UConn’s own Maya Moore.
So what was Geno’s blunt remark all about?
Paige Bueckers: Still More to Prove, But Ready to Shine
Bueckers backed up her latest Big East Player of the Year honor with a strong showing in UConn’s 71-40 win over St. John’s. She shot an efficient 56.3% from the field, despite going 0-for-4 from deep, marking the second time this season she scored 20-plus points without a single three.
“I was just trying to take what the defense was giving me,” Bueckers said. “They were playing drop coverage, so I was able to get to my spots. Even with the threes not falling, I had to find different ways to score. My teammates did a great job setting screens and getting me open.”
But then came the real surprise—Geno Auriemma’s blunt take on Bueckers. If fans were expecting praise, they didn’t get it. When asked if she had finally “turned the corner,” Auriemma didn’t hesitate. “I don’t think she’s turned the corner,” he said flatly. According to him, she’s kind of only rounding the corner.
That’s tough to hear, especially for a player who has battled through injuries and whatnot to get to this level. She led UConn in scoring, looked aggressive, and seemed in control. But Auriemma wasn’t satisfied. “There’s still things we need to address,” he explained. “She has to be precise. The best defenders always own her.”
That’s classic Geno. He doesn’t hand out compliments unless they’re earned, and for Bueckers, the standard isn’t just about scoring. It’s about making the right reads, moving without the ball, and elevating the team every moment. “Little by little, we’re getting her to move without the ball better,” he said. “She’s getting rid of it quicker, shooting it quicker.”
No dramatic praise. Just a reminder that there’s still work to do.
Still, he did offer a small nod to her progress. “I think we’ve made progress,” he admitted. And that’s the key takeaway. UConn fans might not love hearing their coach downplay Bueckers’ progress, but that’s just how he operates. He challenges his players, pushes them, and expects them to rise to the occasion. And for Bueckers, that means she still has something to prove.
The good news? The NCAA Tournament is right around the corner. And when the lights are brightest, Paige Bueckers has a habit of showing up.
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