While the men’s team won’t be dancing further this year, the UConn women’s team is still aiming for another championship! The Huskies are marching forward to their round of 32 game at home against South Dakota State Jackrabbits. For Paige Bueckers, this is her last dance with the Huskies, and she’s determined to end it with a championship. “You know the end is near, so you’re trying to cherish it and drag it out as long as possible because you don’t want it to end,” she said, signaling her intentions to leave. But Bueckers is giving it her all, both on and off the court, to help the team win.
It’s the month of Ramadan, and Egypt native Jana El Alfy is observing the fast. To make sure the freshman center is taken care of, Paige Bueckers has stepped up as a personal chef! On Sunday, the day before the Huskies’ second-round game in the big dance, trouble struck! El Alfy slept through her alarm, leaving Bueckers with no choice. She had to bang on El Alfy’s bedroom door to wake her up–just in time to eat before sunrise.
“I was like, ‘Jana, wake up! I didn’t make these scrambled eggs for nothing!” Bueckers recalled, laughing as she remembered the moment in UConn’s locker room after the Huskies’ midday practice. It was a lighthearted moment, but one that showed just how much she cares for her teammate. El Alfy, standing next to Bueckers, just smiled and added, “She makes really good scrambled eggs.”
Feb 27, 2023; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies Jana El Alfy carries out the Big East regular season champions trophy after defeating the Xavier Musketeers at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jana, who missed last season with an Achilles injury, has been playing nearly 16 minutes per game this season, averaging almost 5 points and 5 rebounds. This period of time is crucial for her and Bueckers knows that! If El Alfy feels fatigued from the fast, it could be a setback for UConn. However, the veteran guard has shown impressive leadership to make sure that doesn’t happen.
The Egyptian native understands how important Ramadan is for her and her family. She opened up in a candid interview with CT Insider. Let’s dive into that!
Paige Bueckers’ teammate talks about the importance of Ramadan
Thanks to teammates like Bueckers and UConn’s staff, El Alfy said the first three weeks of Ramadan, starting on Feb. 28 and running through March 29, have gone better than expected. Without their support, she likely wouldn’t be at 100% for their March Madness run. Her teammates’ help has been crucial in keeping her ready for the big games.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s an important month for me,” El Alfy said. “I try as much as I can to fuel whenever it’s time to eat and manage it with playing. Obviously, it’s hard. It wasn’t easy at all. But my teammates really helped with that, and the staff, they were all supportive. … I feel like I’m blessed and grateful to be surrounded with this group. It’s a really, really special group.”
The Huskies will face the 10th-seed South Dakota State in their Round of 32 game. It should be a relatively easy win for UConn, as they are the superior team overall. ESPN agrees, giving the Huskies an overwhelming 98% chance of dancing into the Sweet 16. Confidence is high among the Lady Huskies, and Paige Bueckers is making sure the unity stays strong. With a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, and potentially a deeper run to the Final Four—a stage UConn has reached every year Bueckers has been healthy—her leadership is proving invaluable. They’ll definitely be a team to watch in the Big Dance. Stay tuned for more updates!
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