Back in 2016, the UConn Huskies stood atop the college basketball world. Four straight national titles, Breanna Stewart leading the charge, and a staggering 151-5 record under Geno Auriemma. It was their Golden Age, a dynasty that felt untouchable. But after Stewart’s departure, things changed. The feel of confetti falling in Storrs became a distant memory. For years, UConn again chased the glory that once felt routine, until the arrival of a certain Paige Bueckers.

When Paige Bueckers joined the program as the #1 recruit in the country, the hype was already at an all-time high. She was hailed as the next Maya Moore or Breanna Stewart, the kind of generational talent who could restore UConn’s championship glory. And right from the start, she lived up to every bit of the hype!

Bueckers swept all the major national player silverware, including the AP, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden Awards, becoming the first freshman ever to win literally everything. But then came the injuries…

From ankle injuries to a torn ACL, Paige Bueckers went through it all. For a while, it felt like the prophecy might never come true. But entering her senior season, the 2025 Big Dance was her final shot to write the perfect ending, and she did just that…

Bueckers delivered UConn’s long-awaited 12th national championship, capping her college career in storybook fashion. She averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game before hearing her name being called as the No.1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA Draft.

But as the UConn women’s basketball team tipped off its first official practice of the 2025-26 season on Monday, head coach Geno Auriemma couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. The court felt quieter, the energy was a little different…

“I think for me, I think for the team, there were more than a couple events today on the court that happened where you go, ‘I think we’re going to see more of that.’ Because last year, that would have been something different. Now, you have to wait for somebody to fill that void,” Auriemma said.

But hey, the Huskies have been here before. Replacing legends is part of their DNA. They carried on after Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart. That’s just the rhythm of college basketball. And this time, it’s Azzi Fudd’s turn to carry the torch and keep the UConn legacy alive.

Fudd, who missed March Madness the year before last, has battled her own share of injuries. But last season, she finally found her rhythm, appearing in 34 games and starting 30 of them, both career highs at UConn. She averaged 13.6 points per game while shooting a blistering 43.6% from three.

Deadly from deep, indeed!

Azzi Fudd earned Most Outstanding Player honors after dropping 24 points in the championship game and 19 against UCLA in the semifinals.

As confetti rained down, Fudd’s teammates celebrated around her, and her father cheered proudly from the stands with a phone in one hand, snapping pictures, the other recording every moment.

A few months ago, in an interview with ESPN, Fudd revealed her plans to step into the shoes of her “best friend,” or should we say her “partner,” as the new leader of the squad. 

“Paige is going to be gone, so I can’t rely on her to speak and do all that [leadership] stuff, on and off the court. I will have to be in that position,” Fudd said.

But can she steady the ship once anchored by Bueckers?

The New Huskies: UConn’s Next Era Begins

“It’s like when Stewie left, it’s like when Diana left, it’s like when Maya left, you know, or Tina, or you know, anytime you have someone that’s so dominant at their position, it takes some new getting used to, for sure,” Auriemma said.

The basketball veteran is set to begin his 41st season leading the Lady Huskies. And UConn seems well-prepared for life after Bueckers. The Huskies have built a deeper and more balanced roster than they had a year ago, at least on paper.

A big reason for that is continuity. Alongside Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, both KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade have been key contributors for two straight seasons, while Jana El Alfy and Ice Brady stepped up during last year’s championship run. Add in Caroline Ducharme and Ayanna Patterson, who’ve battled injuries but know the program inside out.

Geno Auriemma has a core that understands what it takes to win, minimizing the growing pains of a post-Paige Bueckers era. In Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, the Huskies have a strong starting point for a title defense. Strong will be one of the frontrunners for National Player of the Year honors after an impressive freshman campaign, during which she averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

Even Dawn Staley suggested that if she keeps this up, Sarah Strong could one day be remembered as the greatest player in UConn history — a bold statement considering the legends who’ve worn that jersey!

But it’s not just the returning core that has UConn fans excited. Last season’s championship run, as magical as it was, came with a few cracks, particularly in the frontcourt. At times, it was seen as the team’s soft spot during the regular season. You’d think that running it back with Sarah Strong, Jana El Alfy, and Ice Brady would make a repeat tough…

However, Geno Auriemma and his staff clearly took notes last year. This time, they’ve brought in a big name to anchor the paint and give the Huskies the interior presence they were missing.

Enter Serah Williams from the Wisconsin Badgers.

Williams leaves Madison as one of the most decorated players in program history, a back-to-back unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection who averaged 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks last season. The Huskies needed a reliable third scorer to complement Fudd and Strong, as well as a dominant frontcourt presence to hold down the paint. With Williams, they’ve managed to check both boxes in one move.

The Lady Huskies are the nation’s sixth-ranked recruiting class this year, according to ESPN.

Among the newcomers, Blanca Quinonez stands out early. The Ecuador native, who spent the past five years playing in Italy, has impressed scouts with her versatility and poise. ESPN already ranks her among the top 25 players in the country, and she could make a Sarah Strong-type impact in her freshman season!

“She’s fun to watch because she’s unpredictable. She has a lot of skills and can do a lot of things, and sometimes she tries to do them all at the same time. But she’s fun to watch. She does some things every day that really only somebody that’s played against really experienced players knows,” Auriemma said of Quinonez.

While the squad definitely looks much deeper than last season, the big question is: who will replace Paige Bueckers?

Paige Bueckers’ replacement

The Huskies know there’s only one Paige Bueckers. No player can replace what she brought to the floor, and that’s precisely what makes filling her void UConn’s biggest challenge this season.

“It’s a big adjustment, I think, for me, I think for the team,” Geno Auriemma admitted.

While they can’t truly replace her, they do have options.

Junior KK Arnold is expected to take over as the team’s floor general. She averaged 5.5 points and 2.8 assists per game last season, but her value went beyond the numbers, especially during the tournament run, where she dropped nine crucial points in the win over UCLA.

To help share the workload, the Huskies added sophomore transfer Kayleigh Heckel, who posted 6.1 points and 1.9 assists per game in her rookie season at USC.

Will that be enough?

Senior Author’s Verdict

Heading into the new season, the UConn Huskies are right back where they belong, on top. They’ve been ranked No. 1 in the country in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. It marks the 13th time since 1995 and the first since 2017 that UConn has opened the year as the nation’s top team.

Sure, preseason rankings don’t mean much at this stage, but here’s a fun fact: eight of the previous 12 times the Huskies started No. 1, they ended the year as national champions.

And they looked every bit like a championship team in their preseason outing against Boston College. The Huskies strolled to an 84-67 win. Fudd dropped 20 points, adding four assists and two steals, while Strong stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, five assists, and five steals.

Barring any unfortunate injuries, there’s little reason to doubt UConn’s chances of running it back. And with South Carolina already losing Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins to ACL injuries, the path to another title might have just gotten a little more convenient for Geno Auriemma’s squad.

The Huskies certainly have a roster built to contend, but the real test will come when the game requires a clutch contribution. Without Paige Bueckers, who will step up to take and make those shots? Can Azzi Fudd and Co. rise to the occasion and keep UConn on top?