NCAA analyst points out “biggest concern” about $1.5 NIL-valued Paige Bueckers; names Sarah Strong as UConn’s best player
NCAA analyst Robin Lundberg pointed out his biggest concern that he sees for Paige Bueckers after the Huskies were beaten by JuJu Watkins and the Trojans on Saturday.
He also suggested that Sarah Strong, not Bueckers, maybe UConn's best player right now.
"Then there was Sarah Strong, who continues to impress on the UConn side of things," Lundberg said (0:33 onwards). "She is just a phenomenal, supreme talent. Yeah, she missed a free throw late, but she may already be the Huskies best player. Which brings us to Paige Beckers—[she] did a nice job playmaking in the second half, but my biggest concern with Paige is that she struggles at times, to me, to create her own shot in isolation."
"She's smooth and efficient, plays well off the ball, but not really explosive. And I don't know how well that bodes for UConn come March."
Lundberg's comments come after the Huskies and Bueckers were outdueled by Watkins and the Trojans, beating them at home 72-70.
Paige Bueckers and UConn suffer second defeat of season to JuJu and the Trojans
The final Top-10 clash of the year lived up to its billing as two of the best teams in the country faced off in a rematch of their 2024 Elite Eight battle. A sold-out crowd of 15,684 packed the XL Center in Connecticut, while many more tuned in to watch the nationally televised primetime game.
The matchup was hyped as Paige Bueckers versus JuJu Watkins and both stars delivered. Bueckers scored 22 points for UConn, while Watkins led USC with 25. However, it was USC’s ability to play as a cohesive unit that secured the win, while UConn only found its rhythm in the second half.
"We can't have two teams that show up every single night,” Bueckers said after the game. “Whether it be our first-half team or second-half team. We have to remain consistent in who we are and what gets us to winning."
The game marked the first in a two-year home-and-home series between UConn and USC. The Huskies will travel to Los Angeles next season to face the Trojans on their home court.
Following Saturday’s game, Paige Bueckers and the UConn squad began a week-long holiday break. The Huskies will return to action on Dec. 29, hosting Providence in Hartford.