UConn head coach Geno Auriemma admitted his undefeated Huskies are not better off without Paige Bueckers.

Despite being 31-0 overall and 20-0 in the Big East, the Italian-American believes that winning the championship is going to be harder this time around for the Huskies without the inclusion of Paige Bueckers.

"I don't know that you take away one of the top five players in the WNBA (Paige Bueckers) and say you're better. I don't know how I can justify saying that." Geno on comparisons between the current and last year's squad, which included Bueckers.

Geno has spoken multiple times over the past year about how he "really misses" having Bueckers on the team. The two shared a close and often funny student-teacher bond until she went on to the Dallas Wings in the WNBA as the No.1 Draft pick.

Paige Bueckers was the only freshman in NCAA history to sweep all major national Player of the Year awards, which include the AP, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden honours. In her final season, the 24-year-old averaged almost 20 points per game, 4.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. It also came with her leading the Huskies to the Big East tournament championship along with their 12th NCAA title.

"I lie to my players all the time, and she doesn't play for me anymore. I like them when I'm recruiting them and when they leave." The 71-year-old continues to praise "Dennis the Menace" as he funnily calls Bueckers, gladly accepting the difficulties the Huskies might face without the star ahead of the tournament.

UConn Huskies Dominate Yet Another Regular Season, Undefeated after Win against St. John's

The Huskies defeated St. John's 85-49 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

"When you are fortunate enough to go through 31 games and win them all, there is something to be proud of, there is something good about it, and they should feel really good about it." Auriemma commented on how well the girls have done throughout the regular season.

Huskies sensation Sarah Strong also confirmed this feeling, saying, "Coach came in [the locker room and] said he was proud of us. We also have a lot to work on to get ready for the Big East tournament, so just enjoy the win now and be ready to get back to work."

The Huskies now set their target on the postseason, and while Geno Auriemma will miss having Bueckers on his side, we will see if the nominated Player of the Year frontline duo of Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong is capable enough to bring home the 13th NCAA title.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar