UConn basketball can’t catch a break on the injury front this year. Connecticut men’s basketball lost Liam McNeeley for “weeks” late last week, and now Paige Bueckers is down with an injury on the women’s side. How long will the Huskies be without their all-world guard?
Per ESPN, Bueckers left UConn’s 87-52 victory over Villanova late in the third quarter on Sunday with a knee injury. With 1:17 left in the period, as Bueckers and Nova’s Jasmine Bascoe were going for a loose ball near midcourt, Bascoe dove into her leg, bending it awkwardly.
How Long Will UConn Huskies Be Without All-World Guard After Leaving Game With Knee Injury And What It Means For The Nation’s No. 7 Team?
Bueckers didn’t return to the locker room after limping off the court. However, Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said after the game that the injury was apparently not as bad as it appeared.
“She’s pretty good. I mean, it was unfortunate, the kid dove for the ball and I’m sure people saw. Paige turned her back and it was a weird situation.”It’s funny because we had someone at the scorer’s table ready to check in. But she’ll be fine. She looks good.
I’m optimistic, let’s put it that way. It’s not the worst that we can imagine,” Auriemma said. “So, that’s great news considering how awkward it was.”
Bueckers just missed recording her first double-double of the season as the reigning Big East Player of the Year finished with 15 points on 7 of 11 shooting and nine assists. She added three steals, three rebounds, and one block in 25 minutes.
When Will Bueckers Return To The Court?
While Auriemma seems optimistic about Bueckers injury, it is very concerning. Bueckers tore the ACL in the knee in 2022 when she was hit by Bascoe.
So, expect Bueckers to miss some time. How many games will be determined in the coming days?
“The news, from what you can tell, was not lousy, Auriemma reiterated. “Let’s put it that way. She had some ice on it right now.”
With the victory, the nation’s No.7-ranked improved 13-2 overall and 4-0 in Big East play. The Huskies are tied in the conference standings with Marquette and Seton Hall.
UConn will take a three-game winning streak into their January 8 home game against Xavier (5-9). The Huskies will then hit the road for two games against Georgetown (January 11) and St. John’s (January 15).
Despite not having a full squad this year, UConn has outscored its opponents by 25 points a game. All 13 of the Huskies’ victories are by double figures, with 10 of the wins by 20 or more points.
Connecticut is ranked third in NET rankings, as the Huskies have the sixth-hardest schedule, including the second-toughest nonconference slate. The Huskies are 6-2 in Quad I and II contests, including 2-2 in Quad I contests. Their losses have come to Notre Dame, fifth in NET rankings, by 11, and USC, sixth in NET, by two.
How Will The Huskies Replace Bueckers?
UConn is a highly talented team, so the Huskies should be able to manage a few games with Bueckers. However, it won’t be easy to replace a skilled all-around player like Bueckers for as short a time as it may be, especially with Caroline Ducharme and Aubrey Griffin having yet to make their season debut.
Bueckers is a supreme talent who likely will be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. She has put up similar numbers throughout her career: 19.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. She has scored in double figures in 14 of 15 appearances, topping the 20-point plateau nine times, and has two steals a game while shooting 55.9/40.3/81.
Despite being shorthanded, UConn has been successful because they are one of the top teams on both ends of the court. The Huskies are 10th in offensive ranking and 28th in defensive rating.
Besides Bueckers’ proficiency, a big reason for the Huskies’ success has been the play of star freshman Sarah Strong. Strong, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the class of 2024, is the only other Husky in double-figures (17.9) and leads the team in rebounds (7.9). She has scored in double-figures in all 15 of her appearances and produced three double-doubles.
Sophomores Ashlynn Shade, KK Arnold, and Ice Brady have shown improvement over last season. Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen and Egyptian freshman Jana El Alfy have also been productive.
Plus, Azzi Fudd is rounding into form since making her season debut on November 20. Fudd, the No. 1 ranked recruit, has battled injuries throughout her collegiate career. Fudd already has had big games in limited minutes, so she is a prime candidate to raise her game if Bueckers misses time.
When Will Caroline Ducharme and Aubrey Griffin Make Debuts>
Griffin is a quality forward who has not played in a year. Griffin tore her ACL against Creighton last January 3. The 6-1 redshirt senior had been practicing and warming up with the Huskies lately but wasn’t present on the court before the Villanova game.
Auriemma previously told the CT Insider that Griffin could return sometime in the middle of the month.
“We’re still waiting on Aubrey so that’s going to impact the lineup somehow. The way it looks right now at the earliest middle of January.”
Meanwhile, it is unknown when Ducharme will be able to play. She has been plagued by a head injury throughout her career and last suited up in November 2023.
