UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma got emotional Monday after his team advanced to the Sweet 16 of this year’s NCAA Tournament.
The 2nd-seeded Huskies took care of business in a 91-57 second-round blowout of the 10th-seeded South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. UConn graduating senior Paige Bueckers was masterful in the win, scoring a game-high 34 points on 14/21 shooting. She also dished out 4 assists and recorded 4 steals.
While Bueckers’ college career will continue for at least one more game, Monday’s contest marked her last home game at Gampel Pavilion. That seemed to weigh heavily on Auriemma’s mind during the team’s postgame press conference.
Auriemma fought back tears as Bueckers left her final press conference at Gampel Pavilion as a member of the Huskies.
Coach Geno Auriemma holding back tears as Paige leaves the presser 🥹 🫶#MarchMadness x @UConnWBB pic.twitter.com/F1vYCtfY5v
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 25, 2025
Auriemma, who has served as the UConn women’s basketball coach since 1985, is no stranger to coaching exceptional players. The 71-year-old coach has had legendary names such as Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart under his tutelage. But it’s clear that Bueckers’ five years with the team have left a mark on Auriemma.
Bueckers missed her junior year after suffering a torn ACL before the 2022-23 season. In her three other seasons in a Huskies uniform, Paige led UConn to at least a Final Four appearance.
UConn fell short of the championship game last season in part due to a controversial call in the Huskies’ Final Four matchup against Caitlin Clark-led Iowa.
In 33 regular games this season, Bueckers averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on immaculate shooting splits. The 5’ll” guard shot 52.6% from the field, 40.4% from beyond the arc, and just one make shy of 90% from the free throw line.
UConn fell short of the championship game last season in part due to a controversial call in the Huskies’ Final Four matchup against Caitlin Clark-led Iowa.
