{"id":45882,"date":"2023-11-16T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swishappeal.com\/ncaa\/2023\/11\/16\/23962279\/ncaa-uconn-huskies-paige-bueckers-aaliyah-edwards-azzi-fudd-nika-muhl-auriemma-nc-state-maryland"},"modified":"2023-11-16T19:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T19:00:00","slug":"uconn-update-high-hopes-for-huskies-with-bueckers-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/16\/uconn-update-high-hopes-for-huskies-with-bueckers-back\/","title":{"rendered":"UConn update: High hopes for Huskies with Bueckers back"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Paige Bueckers takes the ball to the hoop during UConn\u2019s season opener. | David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a rocky, injury-filled 2022-23 season, things are looking up for the UConn Huskies despite Sunday\u2019s loss to the NC State Wolfpack. Here\u2019s an update on the No. 8 Huskies before they meet the No. 20 Maryland Terrapins.<\/p>\n

The University of Connecticut Huskies<\/a> women\u2019s basketball team ended last season with a disappointing loss in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament; it was the culmination of a season filled with injury. The biggest story of the 2022-23 UConn season was the absence of Paige Bueckers due to a torn ACL.<\/p>\n

Well, it\u2019s a new season! And the redshirt junior Bueckers is back, allowing us to see a fully-healthy UConn for the first time in a few seasons.<\/p>\n

Now ranked No. 8, UConn is 1-1 on their season ahead of Thursday\u2019s matchup with the No. 20 Maryland Terrapins<\/a> (6:30 p.m. ET, FS1). The Huskies\u2019 first game was a dominant 102-58 win over Dayton, with their loss coming in a 92-81 slip up against NC State<\/a>. Let\u2019s take a look at what to expect from UConn this season, as well as what they need to do to get a win against Maryland:<\/p>\n

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The Lineup<\/strong><\/h2>\n

UConn has a strong brigade of upperclassmen prepared to win big for the Huskies this season, in addition to a few exciting freshman ready to make their mark.<\/p>\n

Paige Bueckers<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Leading the pack is Bueckers, who had a stellar freshman season, winning both Freshman of the Year and National Player of the Year. UConn made it to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Arizona. In her sophomore season, Bueckers spent most of the season battling a non-contact knee injury, but came back late in the season and led her team to the national championship game, where UConn lost to South Carolina. In the summer of 2022, Bueckers suffered a torn ACL and sat out her junior season.<\/p>\n

Bueckers is eager to make up for lost time. Once the undisputed No. 1 pick in any WNBA<\/a> mock draft, Bueckers now has a lot of competition for that status. Although she may not even declare for the draft in 2024, she\u2019ll be in mocks until she makes a clear decision. Not only that, UConn has not won a national championship since the days of Breanna Stewart in 2016\u2014and Huskies fans are itching to be back on top.<\/p>\n

In Bueckers\u2019 first two games, she\u2019s proven that her basketball IQ is still undeniably elite. The way she is able to make quick decisions on offense and feed her teammates the ball makes her a stellar playmaker, even if head coach Geno Auriemma often tells her she needs to shoot the ball more. She\u2019s incredible from long range, crafty near the basket and incredibly clutch. In her freshman season\u2014even while battling an ankle injury\u2014she averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. She can easily top those numbers this season if she is able to stay healthy.<\/p>\n

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Paige Bueckers drives in for the layup! pic.twitter.com\/kmcuOagUUO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UConn Women\u2019s Basketball (@UConnWBB) November 12, 2023<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n