As UConn Huskies buckle up to dive into March Madness, former guard Paige Bueckers has revealed what exactly she’s looking forward to witnessing in the upcoming tournament.

Bueckers, through a comment she left under an image shared by Sarah Strong on Instagram, let her de facto protege know that she is counting on her to steal the show.

The comment, under the image carousel featuring Strong and fellow UConn Huskies players Azzi Fudd and Kamorea Arnold, among others, read, "Can't wait to see your moves."

Paige Bueckers' expectations, however, aren't just those of a former teammate. Instead, it's more of a former star playmaker rooting for the person who has filled their shoes.

But if one were to be honest, Sarah Strong has done more than that since Bueckers' move to the WNBA.

Sarah Strong's Impressive Run Since Taking Over the Huskies

Strong, who was already a dominant force as a freshman under Paige Bueckers, has stepped up to take on the role of the primary playmaker since her departure.

She has also assumed the offensive initiator role previously held by Bueckers, elevating her game to an even higher level as the undisputed leader of the UConn Huskies.

Averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, Strong has led her team to a 34-0 regular season.

She was named ESPN's National Player of the Year for the 2025–26 season, making her the first person since Bueckers to receive such an award.

And it looks like Paige Bueckers knew that things would work out just fine when she passed on the torch to Strong in 2025, saying, "I'm very excited for the future of UConn after I leave, with Sarah Strong taking over, as she's already doing an amazing job now."

Strong's extraordinary skills have also been acknowledged by UConn Coach Geno Auriemma, who said, "She’s like this mist that’s everywhere. Your eyes just keep following her everywhere she goes, every play she makes."

Auriemma continued, "And you don’t say anything and you wonder, how can anything be that easy? How can anything look that easy?"

Do you think Sarah Strong will lead the UConn Huskies to a March Madness victory just like Paige Bueckers? Let us know!

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Arvind Rao