Geno Auriemma explains critical change in Paige Bueckers' game, says UConn star finally got rid of unfavorable trait: "Too unselfish for her own good"
Geno Auriemma and Paige Bueckers have been together through the ups and downs at UConn since 2020 when she made her collegiate debut for the Huskies. Auriemma shared the biggest thing that has changed with Bueckers since that time in his pregame press conference on Friday ahead of UConn's weekend matchup against Seton Hall.
A reporter asked Auriemma how Bueckers' game has developed from her freshman season to where she is today. The UConn coach admitted he also pondered that question recently.
"That’s what I was thinking about the other day. Have those injuries taken anything away from her? Is she as quick as she used to be? Is she as explosive as she used to be? Or have they taken their toll a little bit?" (12:49)
"You know, I watch the film and there are times when she looks quicker, she looks stronger, she looks more able to handle some of the other stuff."
Geno Auriemma noticed in particular that Paige Bueckers' aggressiveness had changed in her senior season, with her losing an undesirable trait:
"I think her game has changed where there’s a willingness to want to impact the game right from the opening tap, whereas before it was 'I want to let the game come to me,' which I’ve never been a big fan of for your best players. I don’t like that and I’ve had to deal with it a lot."
Auriemma said that the Huskies have benefited from that change in Bueckers' mindset.
"You’ve seen that pretty much this year. Most of our games, that first quarter, that first five, six, seven, eight minutes that she’s out there. It’s like we get her the ball four or five times in a row and right away it’s a 10-point run for us."
Auriemma revealed that Bueckers asked her recently who between her and Sarah Strong he yelled at more during their freshman seasons for passing up open shots. The UConn coach had an interesting response.
"I said you [Bueckers] passed up more open shots, Sarah passes up opportunities. Those are two different things but they both have similar characteristics. They just are too unselfish for their own good."
Paige Bueckers' fast start helps UConn record win over St. John's
Paige Bueckers' aggressive mindset didn't change in her first game back since returning from a left knee sprain on Wednesday. Bueckers wanted the ball right from the get-go against St. John's, scoring the game's opening basket 33 seconds into the contest.
Bueckers added four more free throws in the first quarter to score six points in total during that period. She helped No. 6 UConn take a 25-10 lead after the first 10 minutes of play en route to the Huskies recording a 71-45 victory.
UConn is set to take on Seton Hall on Sunday, with the tip-off at 1 p.m. ET, and they will look to extend their six-game winning streak.