Even before Paige Bueckers made a name for herself at UConn, the program was rich with titles. They even had back-to-back titles in 2009-2010, so yes, she helped them elevate, but for the Huskies, it isn’t a big deal without her.  Auriemma and Co. were just flexing their muscles, but it was refreshing to see a no-brakes approach after their first national title in 8 years. However, Geno Auriemma and his squad are starting with a clean slate, as the coach even provided the good side of Bueckers’ leaving for the WNBA. 

“There’s no hangover for me (of last season), and I don’t think there is from the players. I’d be more worried, let’s say, if we have Paige back at these guys are going to be overconfident. They’re going to be cocky. They’re going to think that this is going to be easy. I think we all understand that last year was great. It was a great year, and it came out perfectly. This is a new year. I’m excited for the challenge,” Geno Auriemma told the media.

We all know Geno Auriemma’s propensity to keep Paige Bueckers and Co. in check. Auriemma admitted that making losses ‘hurt’ for Bueckers during her time at UConn. He drilled into his players that focus should always be on the future. Even immediately after Bueckers won the title and was returning at 2 in the morning with the net around her, Auriemma made sure to bring Paige Bueckers back to the ground. UConn legend Rebecca Lobo revealed this incident, saying:

“Coach kind of looks at her and is like, ‘Oh, what? You got one and you’re done, so you think you can be down here now?’ … And he looks at Paige, and he points at me, and he said, ‘Go sit next to her, you guys only have one,’” Lobo said. Auriemma says that Bueckers is ‘delusional’ and that she “doesn’t let anything shake her confidence.” There is a reason Bueckers is like that, and it has made her the player she is today. Also, it was one of the reasons they won the national championship.

The point guard dominated in the big leagues against stronger and bigger players. She can sometimes afford to have that kind of mindset with her talent, but the rest of the team cannot. Auriemma still has the job of preventing that from converting to a casual mindset. That attitude would have been even accentuated after winning a title and spread through the squad. With Bueckers gone, the squad is more afraid of losing, which, according to Auriemma, is a good thing because the guard will be high and everyone stepping up. 

Another reason the Huskies can’t afford to lose focus is the wave of departures this offseason. It wasn’t just Paige Bueckers heading to the WNBA, as Aubrey Griffin and Kaitlyn Chen joined her, while sophomore guard Qadence Samuels entered the transfer portal. With so many key players gone, UConn has a new-look squad that must stay sharp to repeat its 2024-25 success. The biggest challenge now is finding a way to fill the massive void left by Bueckers.

Decoding How Geno Auriemma Will Replace Paige Bueckers

Keeping Bueckers’ attitude on the back burner, the loss of her on-court production will be hard to match. She averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 assists over her four years in college. She was the best scorer and creator most of the time. However, UConn might not be thinking too much about it because they have the habit of replacing megastars like Bueckers. 

“But it’s like when Stewie [Breanna Stewart] left, it’s like when Diana [Taurasi] left, it’s like when Maya [Moore] left, you know, or Tina [Charles], or you know, anytime you have someone that’s so dominant at their position, it takes some new getting used to, for sure,” Auriemma admitted. 

After recurring injuries, Azzi Fudd will be returning and is expected to peak this season after being the team’s third-best scorer last year. Along with Fudd, Sarah Strong, who set a Division I record for most points in a tournament by a freshman, could also become the best player to come out of UConn. Replacing Bueckers at point guard will be KK Arnold, who had to play out of position for the last two years. The program has handed the keys to Arnold, who is expected to step up. 

“This is her year, this is her team,” Azzi Fudd said regarding Arnold in July. “She’s our point guard, so she’s gonna lead us… She’s in control, she can call in the plays and all that.” Against SCSU, Arnold had 3 points, 6 steals, and her trademark hustle play. Apart from a replacement point guard, UConn is stacked in other positions to replace Bueckers’ scoring and on-court quality. Besides Fudd, Allie Ziebell and Shade are proven shooters. 

Also, Geno Auriemma and UConn capped their last exhibition game in the post-Paige Bueckers era with a close win. (take that sarcastically) Defense reigned supreme as Connecticut stepped over the Southern Connecticut State Owls at the People’s Bank Arena, 105-39. Azzi Fudd led with 21 points that included 5 three-pointers and 4 assists. Sarah Strong secured another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and 3 other Huskies crossed double figures.

It is visible that the frontcourt rotation has enough firepower with transfer Serah Williams joining Sarah Strong, Jana El Alfy, and Ice Brady, not to mention freshman Blanca Quiñonez. The only question will be whether Fudd can replicate Bueckers’ leadership in the locker room. That is something to keep an eye on. Otherwise, this UConn side will probably roll over most of the teams in the country.