Paige Bueckers 'extremely grateful' for NCAA Tournament return after 720-day absence | SportsCenter

Paige Bueckers of the UConn Huskies joins Elle Duncan to describe what it means to her to play in the Women's NCAA tournament for the first time in two years and why she believes UConn might be underestimated heading into March Madness.
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[@janellelee3612]

I don’t think people are realizing how loaded this team really is. It’s just disappointing because they haven’t been given the chance to show it because of constant CONSTANT injuries. They’re basically playing their bench this season, besides the seniors, and they lost just FIVE of the 34 games. Which all came from current top 15 teams. UConn still is the dominant uconn in the past years, but in early 2000’s injuries weren’t a problem. Take half of key players off of lsu, usc, iowa, etc. they probably wouldn’t even have won their conference, and would have had a lot more then just 5 losses.

[@edd06001]

Im a UConn fan, and they don't have a shot at all. Im sorry, but even when at full strength earlier in the year, they lost to some big names. Now they are depleted, and as great as Bueckers is, she is nowhere near the caliber player of husky legends like Taurasi, Bird, Moore, or Stewart. Can they squeeze into the Final Four. Maybe? But they have no shot against teams like South Carolina, Iowa, or LSU.

[@lightingbolt8148]

I’m sorry they’re not loaded or injuries wouldn’t hurt them, they Can make a little run but not all the way. Sorry

[@Ecybersupreme]

This team not loaded fool 😂 ppl say anything LSU is loaded

[@janellelee3612]

guys I never said anything about my predictions for UConn, all I’m saying is nobody’s appreciating how insane it is that they only lost five games and got the 3 seed with half their roster, something not many teams can do

[@Lady_K2]

What’s sad and did when I see so called fans compare this young lady to past players!!!!!😤!!! Everyone is their own player at the end of the day! Let this team play the best basketball 🏀 they can and move along win or lose! Stop for goodness sake STOP 🛑 comparing this woman to other Husky Players as college basketball for women sports are tougher than before and more competitive! Everyone on here just yapping nonsense!!!

[@RobertDeMartin]

As anyone can see and hear, Paige has a handle on what she wants to do and goes about her business with a love in her heart which we can feel. Even the players who play against her feel that 'something', that love she has for the game and their respect for her is unquestioned. Many fans from all over the world literally love her. Sure, she's a wonderful basketball player but there's more to it, isn't there? She's a wonderful person and if you have had the opportunity to get to know her she could easily become one of your best friends. Her faith is strong and she will be there for you when the need arises.

[@BigTexan59]

Paige is going to light it up for the tournament. Big East Championship was just a warm up. The young lady is READY.

[@ram11198]

So glad she's staying one more year

[@patrickhoffman-fw7hw]

That was a well-done interview. The women never disappoint and always play to Gino's standards. They never go into a game not thinking they can not win. Even when our team is half-freshmen, we find a way to win. Oh yeah, we have Paige and you don't. Underdog, I like the sound. It makes our tournament run even sweeter. Go Huskies!!

[@AlexOtto]

This why I have UConn in the final four against Iowa

[@anthonytaylor7928]

😂😂😂

[@arthurwright255]

I do too, UConn men and women have a legit shot at winning the championship. Would be epic if both men and women's won the championship in the same season!

[@stormyweather9917]

South Carolina men lost to Oregon today. Women will fold like a cheap suit too.

[@toddoaurello5177]

“Addicted to Buckets 🔥🔥🔥”

[@Kenswift-AT]

Paige is an insanely great player

[@jameslaughter5183]

The surprising advantage that UConn has is the emergence of an inside asset in Ice Brady. Though the injury to Aaliyah Edwards though awful it was also serendipitous in that it gave Ice 2 games to play 40 minutes each. It is evident Ice blossomed in that opportunity. Now UConn has a magnified interior game; all other teams best prepare.

[@lexsea]

don’t let paige get hot! she can single handedly carry uconn to the final 4. every team better make any other person beat them in the tournament

[@MrGenexxx]

the problem is Paige is always hot🥰

[@true-rv2oi]

@@MrGenexxxhey watch your mouth that’s my wife you’re talking about….

[@ChanBoogie310]

I honestly think when I first watched her in when she was in HS that she was going to do what Caitlin is currently doing for women’s basketball along, but I’m glad I get to see them both shine. I’m glad she lead in more to her scoring ability this season.

[@victorlopez2143]

As someone who has already stated - take out 5 best players from your team and see if they lose more than 5 games and see if they can win their conference. I don't think so..Go huskies

[@usveteran9893]

As a UCONN fan, I can honestly say I don't see the final four. For one, PB may light up the boards, but if the rest of the team isn't with her, it is game over. Sure, they will overcome Jackson State. But as the tournament progresses, so do tougher teams. As I said, she may light up the boards, but the rest of the team must be there to support her, and I don't see that happening.

[@tonipfohler6503]

....Never ever sleep on a team with a player named Paige Beuckers....

[@coreyjohnson7777]

I like how y'all are giving these females the time of day.

[@DavidHuston]

Its easy to see you prefer guys>

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

Sounds like you like men. 😅

[@656harnish]

I am almost more excited about the women's tournament this year then the men's tournament! There are so many good teams and players this year, it'll be exciting!

[@glenngrinter6818]

Thankful their Saturday afternoon game is on ABC 📺.🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

Yep same I get to see Pretty Paige.

[@AngryTusken]

Wow, Rebecca Lobo, a former UConn alum, picks them to perform well. What a shocker!

[@brianstarfire]

Rebecca Lobo was prescient. Fingers crossed UConn wins the title next year!

[@flacostacks9666]

She focused on getting it done thats why she not worried about that number or the past cus her future is better and brighter

[@damagedone56]

As a CT resident I can say Paige is a smoke show

[@gothard5]

Go Buckeyes!! Go Herd!!

[@kenichitamagusuku3194]

I agree, see you’ll in the finals but fire Lobo first

[@danwayment6842]

Ditto!

[@TheDisruptiveOne]

Sorry Paige. That Notre Dame game broke me. I think elite eight is the absolute ceiling. Sweet 16 is more likely.

[@usveteran9893]

Agree

[@stormyweather9917]

Good. The less whining we hear from you about UCONN the better. Go troll somewhere else.

[@lightingbolt8148]

What a shock Homer Lobo thinks UCOnn can make a run

[@Whizkidsoo]

Yo ppl talking to much Caitlin bruh her defense has gotten so good she shoots at a higher clip better passer not a better shooter but that’s prolly it just think she reached 1k pts in less games then maya & she’s not a score first

[@Roadkill515]

Paige is a better defender. Not a better passer than Caitlin. To me, shooting is comparable. Caitlin has a better 3 range. Paige has a better mid range shot. Both great players that do what they do at elite levels.

[@shortaybrown]

ALL AMERICAN QUEEN!

[@robertsutphen2333]

Paige Bueckers:, intelligent , mature, strong in her standards and faith. TERRIFIC!

[@Jay-ft3xh]

P Buckets!

[@trumpetermb-1117]

I like the old basketball player Paige Bueckers

[@carolynbarr770]

PB,,,, smooth 😎

[@doubleburnttoast5281]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🚀♾

[@richhahn2443]

No way. They are too undersized. Small ball and no bench isn't going to get them into the Final 4.

[@darryelphillip5219]

My AC on dead asleep not even twitchinv😂😂

[@rustynail1071]

Paige is basically a WNBA player 😂

[@PlayboiBreezeTV]

No way 🥱

[@bertjones3010]

Just bring God to play 6th man.

[@ishmael_03]

I predicted that Uconn would never win another championship since they lost to Mississippi State! 😁

[@bigbds222]

There conference is weak South Carolina beat them bad without Cardosa they're winning because there division is terrible a easy road to the tournament against a good team they'll get another beat down.

[@bertjones3010]

If all you do is look at box scores, it doesn't really put into context what great team basketball they play. Sure, maybe like last year they lose, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. And I will not be rooting for them. My team is the under performers, the 1v1 team supreme. Gueax Tigers.

[@bigbds222]

Once again there division is terrible

[@doiregala]

I can feel the tension and the pressure from Paige's reaction, she knows they can't win with USC, not without the elite supporting casts.

[@kierra_mist]

Who cares

[@kathyshea2444]

What are you watching the video for and making negative comments.get a life

[@ellael-mh1go]

You cared enough to comment🌚why spread hate you could've easily scrolled past the video nobody told u to tap it.

[@ruo4945]

i do…

[@BBCLOCKEDIT]

UConn better pray they can make it past the 2nd round 😂😂😂 second best odds to win the title who tf paid that 🤌🏾💀💀💀

[@dmoney9857]

She had an insane shooting performance in either 2021 or 2022 tournement. She was a freshman and before she was hurt. Excited to see her back