The second-seeded Uconn Huskies entered this year’s woman’s NCAA tournament with high expectations.
Huskies -vagt Paige Bueckers ’34 points led the team to Monday’s win over South Dakota State in the second round in Storrs. The 91-57 victory stopped Uconn’s ticket to Sweet 16, where Huskies meets No. 3 Oklahoma.
The game also marked the last time the BUECKERS would take the court at the Gampel Pavilion in an Uconn uniform.
Bueckers approached Huskie’s faithful moments after Monday’s match.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
Uconn Huskies -vagt Paige Bueckers (5) talks with the crowd after defeating South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Harry A. Gamel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., March 24, 2025. (David Butler II/Imag images)
“That means everything,” Bueckers said as she stood at the Center Court and held a microphone. “We started playing here with cardboard cuts like fans, so just to go through it and then experienced the other side of it, which was great. The atmosphere was astonishing. You can’t even hear timeouts, can’t even hear mistakes, can’t even hear when the whistle just blows because of how tall they are and how much support they show.
USCS JUJU WATKINS SIGNING DRAVING KNAFTABLE IN MARCH MADNESS GAME
“It’s been a dream to play here, a dream of wearing this uniform, a dream of playing in this environment. So much more times you want this to continue to happen, you just take every single chance you have and never take it for granted.”
Uconn Huskies -vagt Paige Bueckers leaves the floor after defeating South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., March 24, 2025. (David Butler II/Imag images)
The victory over South Dakota State also secured Huskies ’31. CONSULT SWEET 16 -Sight. While Uconn had a slow start to Monday’s game, the Bueckers Huskers’ last 10 points scored in the first quarter.
“It’s incredible to see,” said Uconn -Guard Azzi Fudd. “You seem almost sorry for the other team when Paige is locked inside. There’s nothing you can do to stop her. No matter what shot she takes, the ball will go in. It was fun to see and see what she’s doing.”
Uconn Huskies Guard Paige Bueckers (5) Makes her last basket on Harry A. Gampel Pavilion against South Dakota State in Storrs, Conn., March 24, 2025. (David Butler II/Imag images)
It’s not been the easiest five years for BUECKERS. She missed one season and was limited to 17 games in another. She has one last chance to win a national championship before going to WNBA, probably as No. 1 overall election in the draft.
“When in high school, it seems to be so easy, you know? I go to Uconn and win a national championship,” said long -time Uconn head coach Geno Auriemma. “Reality strikes and you realize it’s incredibly difficult to do it. So I don’t want anyone to feel less than full when they leave here if they don’t have a national championship.
“She has put herself in the position that if she leaves here without winning one, she will feel less than full. I do not feel that way, and as I said, she does things that no one has ever done before. She has had to do a lot for us all the time, she has been here and she is rewarded. All you have all said about her that everyone is written about her, it is all true.”
There will be a time when BUeckers will reflect on the memories of her time playing in Connecticut. She was not ready to consider Monday’s victory as the last chapter of her Uconn career.
“I’m sure we have more time to reflect on it when the season is over,” Bueckers said. “Right now we’re super focused on the present, but obviously just very grateful and you can’t really put into words how much this place has meant to me. I am forever debt and it has become my second home.”
