Paige Bueckers’ “Biggest Hurdle” Exposed as UConn Insider Details Impact of Nika Muhl’s Absence
It’s a well-known fact that Paige Bueckers forewent the WNBA 2024 draft to win a title at UConn. With Geno Auriemma hinting at his retirement after the abrupt announcement by Virginia’s Tony Bennett, the motivation is strong for them to fulfill their dream, especially since this is also going to be Bueckers’ last year. However, there is one factor that can break the deal for them and a UConn podcaster recently revealed that.
On Tuesday’s episode of Locked On UConn, Mark Zanetto shared the impediment to Bueckers’ dream of winning the NCAA Championship.
“In past years UConn players like Nika Muhl handled that leadership and responsibility. But now Paige is really helping to fill that void. And we have to talk about the way she’s balancing this role while also being the team’s best player. I think that to me is the biggest hurdle of any player that is the most talented player on the team to then also show leadership in ways other than with performance or by actions,” Zanetto stated.
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He believes so because it could be hard for a person to put into words how they are feeling without being condescending or in a negative tone, especially if they are the quieter kinds.
Bueckers has never been the vocal kind. When she came to the Huskies as a freshman, Evina Westbrook was their off-court leader. Then as Bueckers progressed to the next season, she was again supported by Westbrook, Christyn Williams, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa. During last season, she, for the first time, got the considerable responsibility of leading the pack. However, supporting her from the other end was Nika Muhl. But, this season Muhl has passed out and the only support she might have is in Azzi Fudd, who describes herself as quieter than Bueckers.
But Zanetto believes Beuckers can handle both the roles well enough.
USA Today via Reuters
“And I think Paige’s ability to be both, not a talker, but the whole opposite of that — the show not the verbal aspect of it. But you need both as a leader. You can’t just be a quiet person and lead a team. It’s kind of impossible,” Zanetto added.
“I think she also understands her role as a vocal leader, which she has never been before,” Auriemma opined of Bueckers in January 2024 ahead of the March Madness. Bueckers was always known for doing the talking with her skills, rather than her words. As per Auriemma, her ideal world was to “just go out there and do my thing, and I’ll play and everybody will follow my example and we’ll win.” However, that had to be changed and with Muhl not on her side, it might get tough for Bueckers to manage it.
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Muhl was drafted as the fourteenth overall pick in the second round by the Seattle Storm this season. At one time Auriemma had revealed that he wouldn’t “trade for anybody.” Plus, she was also applauded by the 11x NCAA winning coach for her maturity. But could this hinder Huskies’ shot at the title?
A look at Paige Bueckers’ HuskiesThis year, the Huskies are dependent on two veterans: Bueckers and her close friend Azzi Fudd. Supporting them are Jana El Alfy, who plays center, and Ice Brady and Sarah Strong, who will ply their trade as forwards. Most probably, going by their squad, these will be the starting five. Though the Huskies went through major injury issues last year, this season, they look to be fit and have been ranked second in the AP women’s basketball rankings.
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They are also the favorites to sweep the Big East title. And Bueckers is also the favorite to bag Big East Player of the Year, and if she does so, then she will join Maya Moore, Kerry Bascom, and Shelly Pennefather to clinch the award thrice. Hence, the Huskies must be confident of being a top team this season. However, what can stop them is Bueckers’ inexperience in leadership roles.
Hopefully, Bueckers and Auriemma will try to solve this problem. And perhaps Bueckers learning leadership skills will also benefit her once she transitions into the WNBA.
