Paige Bueckers is experiencing dual levels of pressure.
Returning to UConn with the goal of pursuing a national championship, she faces the weight of being considered the best player in program history yet to achieve this, as articulated by coach Geno Auriemma. Bueckers herself acknowledged her fear of losing during last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Additionally, she is expected to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, following the high expectations set by the previous class led by Caitlin Clark, which adds another layer of pressure. The constant comparisons to Clark and other rising stars intensify the scrutiny on Bueckers.
The combination of these factors sets a remarkably high standard for Bueckers to meet.
While Bueckers is having a solid season for the Huskies, she has yet to showcase dominant performances or establish herself as the best player in the country, which are crucial expectations to fulfill. Failure to meet these expectations may raise doubts about her UConn legacy and projected draft position.
Bueckers currently averages 20.8 points with an impressive 56.3% shooting efficiency. However, her scoring average places her 15th nationally, and she has faced defeat in UConn’s most notable matchups this season.
During these losses, other players like Hannah Hidalgo and JuJu Watkins have outshined Bueckers on the court, raising concerns about her lack of assertiveness and leadership.
Criticism from UConn fans centers around Bueckers’ perceived passivity, with debates arising about her role on the team. Questions about her ability to take charge in crucial moments persist, especially when compared to younger teammates.
While Bueckers excels in various aspects of the game, her performance in creating scoring opportunities against strong defenses remains a point of observation. Critics suggest that this may be misconstrued as a lack of assertiveness.
Moving forward, higher expectations will be placed on Bueckers, considering the championship aspirations and professional accolades already bestowed upon her.
Ultimately, whether it seems fair or not, Paige Bueckers must strive for improvement.
