Geno Auriemma calls Paige Bueckers the 'best player in America' after UConn defeats Syracuse | SNY

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma has high praise for his team after their gutsy win over Syracuse, including calling Paige Bueckers the best player in America, commending the freshmen's performance, and complimenting the mentality of this team.
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[@valleyridgesimmentals8969]

Lot of back and forth, Caitlin, Paige, if you look at Paige's game tonight and Caitlin's game tonight I'd pick Paige, Yea Caitlin can score 40 and 10 assists, not every night, Paige can easily score 30 and 10, but those extra steals and blocks, ball saves and something else I think she's definitely better at then Caitlin is Defense, that's big in my book.

[@sarahcarpentervascik4515]

Caitlin Clark is a fantastic shooter, but Paige is a better all-around player.

[@cbrend22]

CC shot 36% from the floor tonight, and she's been at about 45% for the year, and 38% against ranked opponents. She's been shooting 38% for the year from 3( 32% against ranked opponents), so all this talk about her as a great shooter is hype. Paige is 55% and 42%, and better aginst better opponents. Clark is a great shooter in highlight clips when they only show the ones she makes!

[@rayleigh8]

⁠@@cbrend22then why is page no being celebrated like Clark? Is it because she’s black?.

[@cobra7282]

@@rayleigh8 Huh? It's because she has been out for a year and half while Caitlin has been healthy and playing in some huge games.

[@user-xk9dl8xw8l]

Please, let's not confuse scorer with shooter. Clark rightfully belongs to the first category, as the numbers say, but the shooters are players of the caliber of Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Paige Bueckers, just to name two

[@1398go]

@@rayleigh8lol😂 Clark and Paige are not black….

[@RobertDeMartin]

Thank you, Geno. You covered all the bases. Nika almost cost us but how easily we can forget the job she did on their star, particularly in the first half. It looks like they had Aaliyah scouted pretty well, didn't they? Every time she made a move from the high post they went for the ball and got it a few times. Something to work on. Paige? It's incredible. When she misses a shot we're all so disappointed, including Paige. Her game tonight was a masterpiece. She was all over the court. She even had to guard the star backcourt player near the end of the game. Ash? I don't really want to think about next year but you will have some heavy questions to answer about who plays and who comes off the bench. Azzi and Aubrey will be back with Paige. But Ash is the perfect compliment to Paige. Aubrey starting or off the bench (and play 25-30 minutes) is a nice question to deal with. But Azzi? She better come ready to play. If she is going to take some time away from Ash she better be at the top of her game. Enough. Good luck out West. I know you'll be thinking about what to do with Ice. I think it's mental. She's playing and thinking about 'the moment' instead of concentrating on the game! I think you'll be able to 'fix it' with a nice chat with her. It looked like she couldn't even speak she was so tight. (I'm sure Paige will be helping you. She will try to instill the confidence back in her like she had in those 2 games she played 40 minutes!) "We'll all be watching. We are so proud of UCONN, all the players, staff and YOU. Go get 'em!"

[@anastasioschristoforatos474]

I remember telling my daughter mid game how Nika had that defense on lock. Took her out the majority of the game that helped.

[@user-rq9bs8iu2u]

Congratulations on a great win! Go Uconn!

[@jimmiesmith5590]

Paige has the best pull-up stop & pop in the game. She can shoot the 3 and create her own shot. She is an all-around player, not just a jump shooter. She plays defense. She's efficient with her shot selection and doesn't have to take 50 shots to score 30-40. Nothing against Clark. She is a pure shooter and can run the floor. You better not leave her open. The same can be said with Paige. People need to realize that it's just not shooting (offense) alone. Paige can score all over the court. That pull-up is a serpent waiting to strike.

[@jaredmatthews8585]

Well said!

[@AveryBusta]

Both are fantastic players! As an Iowa fan I have no problem with what Geno said and nobody should. Good coaches are always going to praise their players and lift them up. I'm sure Lisa Bluder feels the same way about Clark. Both girls are changing the game and it is unfortunate that Paige has had the injury bug the last 2 years.

[@garymacmillan]

There is no one like him, no one.

[@neetrab]

Good. We don't need no one like him. We are all unique in our own way and the world is better because of it.

[@frankhannon8001]

Everytime I watch a little of Caitlin Clark she misses and that’s the truth 😊overall player I think 🤔 Paige is better ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@renovo56]

You don't watch much.

[@slotrane8853]

Caitlin is great but Paige is better. She does it all. Fills up the stat sheet. Offense and defense

[@larryminney155]

I agree Paige is one of the best i am glad she is coming back

[@raydecampos7327]

Ice should NEVER be allowed to EVER touch the ball again!!! 🤦🏻‍♂️🤯

[@johnklein6040]

She was nothing short of terrible last night.

[@kdbwiz]

Glad you’re not the coach 😭

[@Paul15.]

Clark is a great offensive player. If her shot is off they lose. The difference is on defense. Clark would have a tough time guarding a statue

[@johnidiaquez1303]

Full page of contributors?It starts w there seniors. Nika didn't look to shoot or be any threat offensively. These games are tough for her

[@janetwatkins4981]

Paige is so humble n Geno is right Paige don't play to be recognized she love the GM n teammates n I'm 100 pct sure she decided to stay to get the chance to play with Azzi cuz they only played 17 gms cuz they took turns being injured now they hav one more shot to be the dangerous duo that were meant to be

[@jamesl.walker648]

Paige, best girls college player . Geno,best girls college coach. I.ld say that's a good combination. ❤

[@kdbwiz]

It’s called Women’s Basketball

[@dennismcguire4513]

Paige is awsome.

[@RedboyMcCoy]

Paige BUCKETS ‼️🙌🏽

[@1398go]

Here’s the truth Paige and Caitlin are both best friends. They are very close and both incredible players. I almost wish Paige wasn’t hurt for a year and a half….it would have been cool to see her numbers. I think Geno wanted Paige to be Clark but knew he couldn’t because she was out so long. Not sure why he doesn’t like Clark but he has an underlining tone of preferring Paige instead.

[@jimmiesmith5590]

I don't think Geno doesn't like Clark. Your reaching. He is praising his player for all that she can do because Paige is not just a shooter. She does so much more. Clark is great. But she needs to work on her defense. And no one has a deadly pull-up stop and pop like Paige. That thing is on auto viper 😂 And she can shoot the 3 ball, too.

[@dvelilla]

Geno thinks one of his players is the best in the country. I'm shocked!!

[@susancatalano5670]

I think he is starting to lose it. “You know” “You know” Why can’t he just compliment the whole team instead of putting the whole team down instead of just Paige.

[@charliefortin555]

Who tried to lose the game?

[@renovo56]

When Paige scores a triple double in front of 55,000 fans in a football stadium, let me know.

[@Paul15.]

What does that have to do with anything? I do see Clark yell at her teammates and coaches when she makes mistakes.

[@renovo56]

​@@Paul15.If you were a true basketball fan instead of a troll you would know, and what does yelling have to do with anything.

[@neetrab]

​@@renovo56 when CC actually plays a lick of real defense, let me know. Has she ever heard of the word before?

[@renovo56]

​@@neetrabwhen someone in collage basketball men or women has 3850+ points, first overall, and 1150+assists, third overall, and 950+ rebounds for a guard third overall, and the most 3 pointers in collage history, you let me know, she doesn't play good defense because she can't pick up fouls and set on the bench because she is 50 to 60% of her teams offence.

[@leonardomoore1868]

​@@renovo56again the best shooter no debate! But she CC plays no defense whatsoever and u know that.Paige is the best all around player in college women's bb.

[@nathanstarszak7844]

Clark the better shooter but Paige a better all around player. I’m not a UConn but Paige can guard and do the little things. Clark can’t guard but she can shoot. She’s the greatest I’ve ever seen and it’s not even close

[@Paul15.]

Paige is the better shooter. Look at their shooting percentages

[@cbrend22]

Duh

[@TheDisruptiveOne]

I don’t mind Geno standing up for his player. But he will get some heat for this.

[@johnnywebb2351]

Oh well I agree

[@JaeRell]

Why? Nothing but facts coming from his mouth.

[@renovo56]

​@@JaeRellHe knows he's full of sh*t.

[@neetrab]

​@@JaeRell it's sad but you know how clowns are. And he did get some heat for it, which was dumb

[@abnermangui-ob4763]

What i know in sports if you hold the record you are the best, no matter what. No excuses. Caitlin Clark just broke the scoring record and assist , blah blah blah. But PB is still the best player in NCAA. LOL

[@richardbarber4126]

Yes she is good, needs to be isolated mor3 often to make shots when shes hot?! Need more front line help! Brady needs work, seems clumbsy? If Griffin was there, i think you would be in final 4?! Not this year, sorry?!

[@ricksmith780]

You’re a great coach Geno and Paige is a great player but from S.C. she is not the best player in America!

[@patrickadams6726]

You’re right … Lebron is the best player in the country…..Paige is the second best player

[@JohnJohn-fe6yc]

bruh stfu hes just an old coach giving his player a compliment after a big win he's not trying to grandstand or challenge anyone. SC will lose this tournament just sayin since you want to be like that lol.

[@cobra7282]

@@patrickadams6726 LeBron was the best player in the country 5 years ago, not so much now.

[@viking_fisherman]

Preach to your bigs…..Don’t dribble in the paint, instead, put it up strong!!!!! Half the time Aaliya and Ice put the ball on the floor in the lane, it gets stolen!!!!! My vote for team MVP goes to the pair of Ash and Kk, who saved this from being a throw-away season by playing like veterans while true freshmen!!!!! A year ago, they were in high school! Yes, the veterans led the way all season, but with half the team out with injuries, NOBODY expected these two freshmen to have a fraction of the seasons and impact they have!!!! Clutch!!!!!!

[@user-xk9dl8xw8l]

UConn has a history of freshman who have demonstrated their real value (Geno mentioned Ann Strother and Barbara Turner), but in this particular case having a star like Paige on the team who doesn't steal the spotlight, but rather demonstrates her trust in her teammates by giving up with shots in favor of passes, it is a key to understanding that should not be forgotten

[@PlayboiBreezeTV]

Na that’s freshman JuJu Watkins 🥱, beating the #22 ranked team not really saying much

[@JohnJohn-fe6yc]

more like DooDoo watkins.

[@PlayboiBreezeTV]

@@JohnJohn-fe6yc i guess that’s another name for “better than Bueckers” where you from…🥱

[@JohnJohn-fe6yc]

lol why does it matter? The better question is where are you from bro because its so obvious. JuJoke watkins fans are some of the most toxic on the internet. You claim she is better than paige bc she makes 8/36 shots a game and some free throws. get real dude. @@PlayboiBreezeTV

[@PlayboiBreezeTV]

@@JohnJohn-fe6yc Bueckers wasn’t even #1 on mock drafts✅ Bueckers never dropped 51 pts, especially as a freshman ✅ UConns big 3 played together for years ✅ Even Edwards is a lottery pick. ✅ Hildalgo dropped 34 pt dbl/dbl to Bueckers 13 pts ✅ Harmon dropped 27 pt dbl/dbl to Bueckers 17 pts ✅ USC play in a tougher conference ✅ USC first season together lead by a freshman ✅ Juju scored more points than Clark as a freshman ✅ Saying she is the “best player in America” is borderline delusional 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@JohnJohn-fe6yc]

Paige wasnt on the mock draft bc she technically is only a sophmore player since 3 out of 4 years shes been out with injuries. Thats why she has next year and the year after of eligibility left. All you talk about is scoring points like that is the entire game. You are such a fucking loser lol. Lets ignore the fact that Paige beckers consistently scores more points on less attempts than Juju watkinds but also is an all around better team player, leader, and defensive player than Watkins has ever shown. Also lets ignore that Paige is forced to play almost 40 minutes every game with a roster of 6-7 players while Watkins plays half of that. @@PlayboiBreezeTV