Paige Bueckers remains heartbeat to UConn's title hopes

Paige Bueckers doesn't have to say a word for her impact to be felt.

Nika Muhl understands that better than most people after spending countless hours around the UConn star over the past four years.

A senior guard, Muhl draws motivation from Bueckers' relentless work ethic, especially last season when Bueckers was rehabbing a torn ACL. Seeing the All-American's dedication to her recovery firsthand gave Muhl a greater appreciation for basketball and pushed her to work harder.

Muhl had a breakout 2022-23, earning All-Big East second-team honors and smashing Sue Bird's single-season school record with 284 assists.

This season's Huskies squad is experiencing something similar: Bueckers' mere presence has been a psychological boost and translated into on-court success.

With a healthy Bueckers back on the court, the program went 29-5 overall, including an 18th undefeated run in conference play.

"Having the best player in the country on your team uplifts the confidence a lot," Muhl told reporters, including theScore, before the Huskies' final regular-season home game vs. Villanova. "Just having (Bueckers) on the floor just means so much. It's a security. And not just for the younger guys. It's security for us older guys, too, because I remember the times where we didn't have her on the floor and how hard it was.

"Just knowing that you can give the ball to somebody and they're gonna make great things happen with or without your help," she added. "Obviously, with her help, we're just so much better."

UConn enters the Big Dance averaging 80.8 points, 13th in the nation and nearly five points more than last season. Bueckers is at the forefront of the Huskies' attack, registering a career-high 21.3 points per game on 54/42/85 shooting splits. Her 1.19 points per possession and 2.65 assist-to-turnover ratio are both better than what she produced as a freshman during her National Player of the Year campaign.

The extra defenders Bueckers attracts opens driving lanes for KK Arnold to exploit, clears out space in the post for Aaliyah Edwards, and generates clean looks from beyond the arc for Muhl and Ashlynn Shade.

Bueckers never hesitates to set up another player and elevates her teammates further through her communication style.

"The best players that I've coached can also make other players better in how they talk to their teammates. What they say. When they say it. What kind of relationship do they have with the other players on the team?" said longtime UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. "How can she teach them, 'Listen, next time I get the ball in this situation, this is what I want you to do.' That's how they help them get better as much as any tangible thing."

Bueckers' leadership is critical as the Huskies have gone through another injury-riddled campaign.

First-year center Jana El Alfy ruptured her Achilles tendon while starring for Egypt at last summer's FIBA U19 World Cup. Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2021, made only two appearances before tearing her ACL and meniscus in mid-November. Key reserve Aubrey Griffin also suffered an ACL injury Jan. 3 against Creighton. A few weeks later, former top-five recruit Caroline Ducharme was shut down due to ongoing head and neck pain.

With half his rotation done for the season, Auriemma turned to Shade and Arnold for significant minutes, and both guards showed promise throughout their debut campaigns. Shade was named Big East Freshman of the Year and ranked 13th in the country in 2-point percentage (63.5%). Arnold was a unanimous selection for the Big East All-Freshman Team and finished second in the conference with 78 steals.

Bueckers, who Auriemma describes as a "reluctant leader," stepped out of her comfort zone to help the rookies. She's been more vocal than previous seasons, providing teaching moments on the fly and constant encouragement as they navigate the ups-and-downs of their maiden collegiate season.

"I've talked about this freshmen class just being a fearless class. Just going in and impacting the game on both ends of the floor, contributing, and having the responsibility on their shoulders of not being freshmen," Bueckers told theScore. "So just from us upperclassmen, especially, to just let them know that the heavy (expectations) weighs on us seniors to carry that load and they just gotta do what they do. We have extreme confidence in them, and we just want them to play their game and remain who they are."

Auriemma's decision to move Shade and Arnold into the starting lineup was another adjustment for Bueckers, as she now shared the floor with three other guards, including two natural floor generals.

The undersized four-guard look was unconventional but Bueckers embraced the new lineup as it maximized the team's offensive firepower.

Bueckers' unselfish approach stems from her time at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where she played for legendary head coach Brian Cosgriff. His squads prided themselves on hard work and cohesiveness over a 21-season tenure that included seven state championships.

When Bueckers joined the Royals' varsity team as an eighth-grader, she was aware of the program's culture and what was expected of her. The future Wooden Award winner immediately bought into a Sixth Woman role, backing up team captain DeAnna Winston at the point.

Winston, who played four seasons at Siena, often sought out ways to get her teammates involved offensively over getting buckets herself. Cosgriff believes Bueckers picked up on that and that it became a central part of the player she is today.

"Paige loves her teammates. Paige will do whatever it takes to win a ball game," Cosgriff told theScore. "If that means she's gotta get the ball to somebody else or if the other person is gonna bring the ball up, that's what Paige is gonna do.

"Paige is flat-out a winner and she's selfless. She does not care about personal glory or anything. She just wants to win."

Splitting ball-handling and playmaking duties with Muhl and Arnold allowed Bueckers to round out her offensive arsenal. As the de facto power forward, opposing fours often find themselves in a predicament when defending the two-time Big East Player of the Year.

Bueckers is too skilled a shooter to leave open on the perimeter and the freedom to play off the ball has given UConn plenty of opportunities to weaponize her jumper. Traditional bigs already have trouble sticking with Bueckers. When the Huskies put her in motion, they create clean looks for her via dribble-handoffs or off-ball screens.

Bueckers is also a threat to put the ball on the floor, using her speed to blow past defenders when they close out too aggressively. The redshirt junior's improved physique makes her more inclined to attack the paint and withstand contact. Bueckers added over 10 pounds of muscle during her year-long absence and continues to strengthen her core through daily pilates exercises. Her overhauled training approach undoubtedly factored into a career-high 4.2 free throws per contest.

Bueckers frequently draws fouls off drives as well as her newfound post-up game. Auriemma's made it a point to establish Bueckers on the low block since the team almost exclusively operates with one big on the floor. She's proven to be a handful in the paint with her ability to back down defenders, hit turnaround jumpers, or go up and under.

"I pride myself on always finding something to work on," Bueckers said. "(There's) always something that I can get better at, so kind of developing a post game, and just trying to score and create in different ways without having the ball in my hands has been something I've been working on."

Bueckers' nickname is "Paige Buckets" but her defensive growth has stood out. Her 2.1 steals average is just shy of a new personal best, and her 47 total blocks is double what she swatted in her first two seasons combined. The 6-foot guard's rejected two or more shots on 13 occasions - including a pair of five-block performances - and tallied at least one steal or swat in all but one appearance this season. Advanced metrics tell the same story, as Bueckers ranks fourth in the NCAA in defensive box plus-minus (8.1) and sixth in defensive win shares (three).

Bueckers' high basketball IQ has made her an impact defender, and that'll serve her well when she eventually makes the jump to the next level. She's quick to recognize what other teams are running and blows up plays before they can come to fruition. Time after time, Bueckers picked off passes or caused a deflection because she knew where the ball was heading:

Auriemma says it's hard to outthink Bueckers on the defensive end because she's usually one step ahead. The Hall of Fame coach likened her instincts to WNBA icon Angel McCoughtry, who he recalls roaming the court like a free safety or linebacker and having the ability to jump passing lanes.

With Bueckers spending more time defending the post, she's got a better view of what's unfolding in front of her, and it's allowed her to relay that information to her teammates or provide help. She's routinely in good position to take a charge or contest at the rim if a teammate gets beat off the bounce.

Bueckers' defensive contributions made UConn one of the stingiest units in the nation: The Huskies are 14th in opponents' field-goal percentage (35.7%) and 24th in points allowed (56.3 per game).

"The better offensive player you are, the better defender you can be if you want to be. She's got a great feel for the game. She can anticipate exactly where everybody is going when we're on defense," Auriemma told theScore. "Paige doesn't want to be one-dimensional. She doesn't want people to think that they can take advantage of her on the other end of the floor. I just think she's committed herself to it."

UConn heads into its 35th straight NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed in the Portland Region. The path back to the Final Four won't be easy, with No. 1 USC and No. 2 Ohio State both in their section of the draw. The Trojans are led by freshman phenom JuJu Watkins, while the Buckeyes' full-court press gave the Huskies fits in last season's Sweet 16 upset win.

As good as Bueckers has been in her comeback campaign, UConn's best shot at a 12th national championship may require more from her.

Over the last few months, Auriemma's challenged her to be more assertive offensively. He was delighted to see Bueckers recently drop 31 against Villanova on 11-of-15 shooting in the team's 67-46 victory over the Wildcats on Feb. 28.

However, being a bit more selfish is easier said and done. It isn't in Bueckers' nature. But she's slowly learning that certain situations demand it.

"Obviously, everybody who's watched me since I came in as a freshman, anybody who watched me in high school, (knows) I love to pass the ball. I love to create for others. (But) sometimes I have to take over the game, create for myself," Bueckers said.

"I feel like the more that I'm aggressive on offense - looking for my shot - that's when other people get open. It's sort of just the story of my UConn career. Trying to find that balance. Trying to please coach in that way - which is kind of impossible - but it always gives you something to work on."