Paige Bueckers Leads UConn to Geno Auriemma’s 24th Final Four

University of Connecticut women’s star Paige Bueckers showed more of why she is one of the top players in the country with a 31-point performance in Monday’s 78-64 Huskies’ Elite Eight win against the University of Southern California Trojans. 

Bueckers, who poured in 34 (91-57 win over South Dakota State) and 40 points (82-59 over 3rd-seeded Oklahoma) in the Round of 32 and the Sweet Sixteen, was her usual complete self on Monday night, hitting triples, midranges, pull-ups, and getting to the line. Her patience offensively is admirable. 

The senior added 6 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks, shooting 9-for-18 from the field. Over her last three games, Bueckers is shooting a scorching 39-for-66 from the field. 

Guard Azzi Fudd had an off night, shooting just 3-for-14 (2-for-6 from downtown, 8 points), but freshman forward Sarah Strong played a game befitting of her last name with 22 points and 17 rebounds (8-for-13, 4-for-6 from downtown) and 4 assists. Senior guard Kaitlyn Chen added 15 points on 6-for-9. 

Senior USC center Rayah Marshall was 7-for-12 and made nine of her 10 free-throw attempts for 23 points with 15 rebounds. Graduate student guard Talia von Oelhoffen, the daughter of former NFL defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen, scored 10 points on 3-for-8. 

Kiki Ariafen, a senior transfer from Arizona, tallied 10 points and 6 rebounds on 3-for-15 shooting. After putting up 13 points and 13 rebounds in the opening round and 36 points and 9 rebounds in the Round of 32 against Mississippi State, she struggled in the last two games, scoring 17 points on just 6-for-28 shooting. Afriafen, 6’3, is a good interior player who rebounds well. On the season, she averaged 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds on 49% shooting. 

Obviously, things could have been a lot different if the Trojans had the services of JuJu Watkins, the preeminent player in NCAA women’s basketball along with Bueckers. Watkins’ talent had the Trojans as the favorites in the tournament. 

UConn, who is making their 24th Final Four under head coach Geno Auriemma, now faces 34-2 No. 1 seed UCLA in the second game on Friday evening to conclude the Final Four, while two No. 1 seeds, Texas and South Carolina, meet in the opening game. The 34-3 Gamecocks are led by Joyce Edwards (12.7 points per game), MiLaysia Fulwiley (instant offense off the bench, 11.9 points per game) and Chloe Kitts, a 6’2 junior with averages of 10.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. 

Texas is guided by sophomore forward Madison Booker’s 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds, as well as senior forward Taylor Jones’ 12.1 points and 6.9 rebounds. 

6’7 junior center Lauren Betts leads UCLA, with averages of 20.0 points and 9.6 assists on 65% shooting. Junior guard Kiki Rice averages 12.9 points, while junior guard Gabriela Jaquez, the sister of Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez, averages just a shade under 10 points per game (9.9). Betts and UConn's Strong is a great match-up in the paint.

Three No. 1 seeds and a No. 2 on the women’s side, and four No. 1’s on the men’s side makes for what should be a very competitive weekend in NCAA basketball.