Tag: Paige Bueckers

Geno Auriemma doesn’t believe Caitlin Clark is built for the WNBA’s physicality

“She’s just not built for the physicality of this league.”

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is doubling down on his comments about Caitlin Clark being targeted. But this time, he says that Caitlin Clark — and even Paige Bueckers — don’t have bodies that are built for the WNBA.

Geno Auriemma isn’t mincing words about his feelings about the Caitlin Clark-WNBA discourse. Earlier this week, he mentioned that he felt Clark was being targeted because of her immense talent and the visibility she is creating for the WNBA.

On Thursday, while visiting the Dan Patrick show, Auriemma was asked how he believes Clark is handling the WNBA’s physicality. That’s when he also expressed that Caitlin does not have the body frame built for the WNBA: (See the 2:22 mark of the clip below.):

“I think she’s handling [it] great. I think she talks a lot of [expletive], and she gets a lot of [expletive] back. So, she deserves everything she gets because she gives it as good as she gets it. She’s just not built for the physicality of this league, and she’s not quick enough to get away from the physicality.”

“There’s a lot of learning curve like Diana said, and when she gets it, she has elite skills that are gonna really help her. But she needs to be on a better team, and she needs to be more experienced…”

When asked if Paige Bueckers had the build to play in the WNBA, Geno didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts rather bluntly:

“No. But her game is different…I think the subtleties of her game will translate. However, her rookie year, she will get it as bad as Caitlin’s getting it right now.”

For the full interview, including Auriemma’s rant about Caitlin Clark’s fanbase, see the YouTube video below.

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Kehlani hopes Paige Bueckers is drafted by the WNBA’s Golden State expansion team

Push the Paige Bueckers agenda, Kehlani.

According to singer Kehlani, the Golden State Valyries already have one directive on their agenda for 2025 — drafting Paige Bueckers.

There’s been a ton of buzz surrounding the WNBA’s newest team. On May 14, the league’s 13th team unveiled its name and logo to a great reception from hoops fans. The announcement had them dropping all kinds of Marvel-related memes.

Now, Kehlani, a long-time women’s basketball fan, is pushing for the team to do one thing: draft UConn’s Paige Bueckers. The singer, who performed during a Valkyries announcement block party over the weekend, was asked who she wanted to see Golden State potentially draft. The answer was simple — Paige Bueckers.

Here’s what she shared:

“I’mma say Paige Bueckers. Be on the right side of history, Paige.”

 

UConn’s Paige Bueckers reacts to Golden State Valkyries new colorway

The UConn star guard chimed in on Twitter after the Golden State Valkyries revealed their new colorway.

Before joining the WNBA as its 13th franchise and the first expansion team since 2008, the WNBA Golden State squad needed to reveal its branding and team name. On Tuesday, WNBA Golden State announced its team name would be the Golden State Valkyries. 

While the reveal of the Valkyries new branding had the basketball community buzzing, the colorway of “Valkyrie Violet” caught the attention of one of the top young prospects in women’s college basketball. UConn star guard and potential 2025 WNBA No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with a reaction.

Via @paigebueckers1 on X:

On the way to an appearance in the Final Four, Bueckers averaged 21.9 points on 53% shooting from the floor to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. Bueckers is a two-time unanimous first-team All-American and the 2021 Naismith College Player of the Year.

Bueckers will return to UConn for the 2024-25 season.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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USC, UConn women’s basketball set up made-for-TV showdown

JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers met on April 1 of this year. They will meet again in December on national TV.

USC and UConn met in the Elite Eight at the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. These two women’s basketball powers are among the favorites to reach the 2025 Women’s Final Four. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb and UConn coach Geno Auriemma want their teams to be tested and challenged, so it should come as no surprise that the two coaches set up a made-for-TV college basketball showcase.

JuJu Watkins of USC and Paige Bueckers of UConn are expected to be the two foremost stars in women’s college basketball next season. If USC and UConn live up to their potential, JuJu and Paige could meet at the Final Four. Because of this game in the regular season, a Final Four clash would be a rematch.

USC has an upgraded roster this women’s basketball season. Kiki Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen have significantly improved the quality of the Trojans’ projected starting five. USC also has the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the country for the 2024 cycle. UConn should be better next season if only because the Huskies were hammered by injuries this past season and should have a lot more depth than they did in 2024.

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Caitlin Clark’s college career ends, setting the stage for JuJu Watkins in 2025

Caitlin Clark’s towering and magnificent college career has ended. JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers take center stage next season.

The 2024 women’s college basketball season, a remarkable theater of events which catapulted USC into the national spotlight, is over. South Carolina is the unbeaten national champion after beating Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Sunday in Cleveland. Clark played her last college game, which leaves JuJu Watkins and UConn’s Paige Bueckers as the two foremost stars of the sport heading into the 2025 season.

Hawkeyes Wire had more on Clark’s second consecutive national championship game appearance at Iowa:

“The Iowa Hawkeyes fought. And they fought hard until the very end. Unfortunately, sometimes that falls just short, but isn’t something to be ashamed of. This team gave it everything they had for this fanbase and for themselves.

“Sometimes you run into a team that is dominant and one of the best of all-time. That happened today as the Iowa Hawkeyes fell to to the South Carolina Gamecocks in title game by a score of 87-75. The Gamecocks capped off a perfect season to go to 38-0 and stamp their place among the game’s best teams ever. The entire afternoon they continued to prove they are big, can shoot, play defense, and do just about everything at an extremely high level.”

Caitlin Clark is a transcendent athlete in so many ways. South Carolina, though, was the ultimate transcendent team, going wire to wire without losing a single game this season.

As the Paige turns to 2025, Paige Bueckers of UConn and JuJu Watkins of USC will stand atop the list of a galaxy of stars in women’s college basketball. It’s a great time for a growing sport, with USC in the center of the conversation. We can’t wait to see what JuJu will do starting in November.

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As Caitlin Clark prepares for last college game, JuJu Watkins waits

Caitlin Clark plays her last college game for Iowa on Sunday. JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers will take the baton.

Who was the best women’s basketball player of 2024? JuJu Watkins has some people who are in her corner, but for most, it was either Paige Bueckers of UConn or Caitlin Clark of Iowa. Friday at the Final Four, Clark had the final say with a 71-69 win over Connecticut and Bueckers. Clark’s Iowa team faces unbeaten South Carolina on Sunday for the national championship. It’s one last game in which Clark owns the stage in women’s college basketball. JuJu Watkins hopes to be in that position next year.

Hawkeyes Wire commented on Clark’s second half against a tough UConn team which defeated USC and JuJu days earlier:

“The Huskies took turns face-guarding and denying Clark the basketball. It was a page out of West Virginia’s physicality playbook. And it worked.

“Clark found her offensive game in the second half, though. No, it wasn’t a typical offensive explosion from Clark. But, Clark delivered just enough, scoring 15 points after halftime with a trio of made 3-pointers to propel Iowa’s comeback.

“As Clark goes, Iowa goes. The Hawkeyes needed to see her find the bottom of the bucket in the second half and Clark did just that.”

Next year, JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers will be the two foremost superstars in March Madness. USC hopes to make that final ascent to the top of the hill.

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Paige Bueckers, UConn lose to Iowa after beating JuJu Watkins and USC

Paige Bueckers beat JuJu but couldn’t solve Iowa in a memorable week for women’s basketball.

Paige Bueckers and UConn were too much for JuJu Watkins and USC in the Elite Eight. However, the Huskies’ run ended in the Final Four national semifinals against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Hawkeyes Wire offered a reaction to Iowa’s epic comeback victory over Bueckers and UConn:

“The Iowa Hawkeyes aren’t done dancing. Down double figures in the first half, Iowa (34-4, 15-3 Big Ten) came charging back to down UConn (33-6, 18-0 Big East) in a Final Four thriller, 71-69.

“Led by a strong second half from senior star Caitlin Clark and a standout performance from sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke, Iowa is back in the national championship game. The Hawkeyes will face South Carolina (37-0, 16-0 SEC) on Sunday afternoon.”

It was fascinating to see Bueckers play JuJu Watkins and Caitlin Clark in the same week, a feast for college basketball fans. USC has a lot to study and evaluate so that it can take the next steps in its evolution next season.

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Women’s NCAA Tournament: UConn vs. Iowa odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s UConn vs. Iowa odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The UConn Huskies (33-5) and Iowa Hawkeyes (33-4) meet Friday at the Final Four in the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is slated for approximately 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UConn vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3rd-seeded Huskies will face the No. 1 seed Hawkeyes with a spot in the national championship hanging in the balance.

UConn beat 14th-seeded Jackson State 86-64 in the 1st round but came nowhere near covering as a 35.5-point favorites with the Over (135.5) connecting. Star G Paige Bueckers went for 28 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. In the 2nd round, UConn eased by No. 6 seed Syracuse 72-64, but the Orange easily covered as 19.5-point underdogs and the Under (144.5) cashed.

In the Sweet 16, UConn grinded out a low-scoring 53-45 win vs. No. 7 seed Duke, but again, the Huskies failed to cover. This time as 8.5-point favorites, and the Under (126.5) was never in doubt.

The Huskies followed by topping top-seeded USC and freshman phenom F Juju Watkins 80-73 in the Elite 8. UConn covered as a 3.5-point favorite and the Over (135.5) comfortably cashed. Bueckers went for 28 points and 10 boards in that victory. She is averaging 28.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.0 APG with 3.3 SPG and 1.5 BPG in 4 NCAA Tournament outings.

As for Iowa, the Hawkeyes topped 16th-seeded Holy Cross in the opening round 91-65, but they just missed cashing as 38.5-point favorites and the Under (157.5) came through.

In G Caitlin Clark‘s final home game in Iowa City, No. 8 seed West Virginia gave the scoring champ and the Hawkeyes all they could handle. In a contest that was tied with 2:15 to go, Iowa pulled away for a 64-54 victory and didn’t cover as 14.5-point favorites with the Under (163.5) hitting.

After moving on to Albany for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, Iowa put together a complete game against 5th-seeded Colorado, rolling to an 89-68 win as a 7.5-point favorite as the Under (157.5) won by a hook.

In the highly anticipated 2023 national title rematch, Iowa eliminated 3rd-seeded LSU with a 94-87 thriller in the Elite 8. Clark dropped 41 points with 12 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot in 40 minutes, while knocking down 9 3-pointers as Iowa covered as a slight 1.5-point favorite. The Over (168.5) was never in question.

UConn vs. Iowa odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): UConn +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Iowa -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
  • Against the spread: UConn +2.5 (-105) | Iowa -2.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 162.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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UConn vs. Iowa and predictions

Prediction

Iowa 78, UConn 74

Moneyline

Iowa (-155) is a solid play as a moderate moneyline favorite, if you just want to choose a winner without fiddling around the points.

Clark and the Hawkeyes are on a collision course with unbeaten South Carolina, and the TV ratings will likely be through the roof. Clark and the Hawkeyes will do their part to give the people what they want.

In this case, I’m willing to lay the points with the spread below and AVOID a moneyline wager.

Against the spread

IOWA -2.5 (-115) is a good play laying the small amount of points. Clark won’t be able to do it all herself, and she’ll need G Kate Martin, G Sydney Affolter or someone else to step up and give the Hawkeyes solid secondary or tertiary scoring.

UConn has made a tremendous run to the Final Four, and this is a team with a bright future, as usual. But the time is now for Clark and the Hawkeyes, and they should get it done together.

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Over/Under

UNDER 162.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board.

The Over-Under has split in 4 NCAA Tournament games for UConn, while the Under is 3-1 for Iowa in this tourney.

The Hawkeyes went off in the first quarter against LSU, and Clark was unconscious from behind the 3-point line all night. You can expect UConn will apply a lot more pressure along the perimeter, trying to make life more difficult for Clark and company than LSU did behind the arc.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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March Madness: Final Four strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Final Four pick and prediction.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament is on to the Final Four, starting Friday from Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Only 88 entries in USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 3,754 who signed up.

The semifinals are Friday on ESPN with the winners facing off in Sunday’s championship at 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).

NC State (31-6) meets tournament favorite South Carolina (36-0) in the early-window game at 7 p.m. ET. The nightcap will feature UConn (33-5) and G Paige Bueckers against Iowa (33-4) and G Caitlin Clark at an approximate tip time of 9 p.m. ET.

Monday night was one for the ages, as all eyes were on women’s basketball, especially for the battle between LSU and Iowa. Clark was on another plane, draining 9 3-pointers in an amazing shooting performance, as she continues to re-write the record books. Clark ended up with 41 points in 40 minutes, while also doling out 12 assists with 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot as the Hawkeyes eliminated the defending champion Tigers 94-87.

Clark and the Hawkeyes will have their hands full with Bueckers and the Huskies, who showed freshman phenom G Juju Watkins and USC, the No. 1 seed in their region, the door in an exciting Elite 8 matchup.

As for the USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest, I made 3 correct picks in the 1st round for 12 points but stumbled in the 2nd round and was eliminated. No. 4 seed Indiana won for me, but my other pick of 4th-seeded Kansas State lost to 5th-seeded Colorado.

Despite the loss, I still offered picks for the Sweet 16, hoping to assist you on your chase for the $2.5K 1st-place prize. Only having to make 1 pick this round, I rebounded with LSU (3 points) upsetting UCLA Saturday in a 78-69 thriller. For what it’s worth, I won with UConn (3 points) in the Elite 8 against USC.

As an employee, I wasn’t eligible to win this contest, but there’s no rule against me helping you.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick 1 team in the Final Four and then the National Championship Game winner — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds.

Here is my strategy of which team to pick for the Final Four.

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Final Four pick

PICK 1: IOWA HAWKEYES (33-4)

Who they play: UConn Huskies (33-5)

When: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

I’ve already picked NC State and UConn in this Tournament, so I am left with just 2 top seeds. There just aren’t a lot of points available in the Final Four. If you need points, you might want to roll the dice on a No. 3 seed if you haven’t picked that team yet.

Iowa-UConn is going to be a fun game. Clark vs. Bueckers will get all of the headlines, but here’s UConn coach Geno Auriemma leading another team to the precipice of a national title, while the Hawkeyes are trying to get back to the championship game — they lost to LSU in the title game a year ago.

UConn was impressive against USC, shooting 48.3% (28-of-58) from the field, including 46.7% (7-of-15) from behind the 3-point line in an 80-73 victory.

If there is an Achilles’ heel, the Huskies managed to go just 63.0% (17-of-27) from the free-throw line, and that simply won’t do in a close game. Plus, UConn was minus-2 in the turnover department, but made up for it by outrebounding USC 42-41, while dishing out 7 more assists to improve to assist-to-turnover ratio.

Along with Clark scoring 41 against LSU, the Hawkeyes were 46.4% (32-of-69) from the field, hitting 41.9% (13-of-31) from behind the 3-point line. G Sydney Affolter hit a pair of triples, and ended up with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while G Kate Martin was good for 21 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals and a perfect 4-of-4 night from the free-throw line.

Friday against UConn won’t be easy for Iowa, but the Hawkeyes should get back to the title game, setting up a potential classic against South Carolina — as long as the Gamecocks remain undefeated and push past upstart NC State.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
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Caitlin Clark praised Paige Bueckers ahead of Iowa and UConn’s Final Four game

Caitlin Clark has tremendous respect for Paige Bueckers and how she plays the game.

Ahead of their 2024 women’s NCAA Final Four game, Iowa women’s basketball’s Caitlin Clark praised UConn’s Paige Bueckers and what she’s been able to accomplish in her career.

Clark and Bueckers have known each other since middle school, and the former lauded the latter for her competitive spirit and the way she leads her team when she plays.

It’s a really cool reminder from Clark for how much these athletes respect one another, even when the competition gets fierce with a shared goal on the table.

Clark will be headed to the WNBA after the season while Bueckers will stay in school for another year. It sure sounds like Clark will be cheering Bueckers on as she remains one of college basketball’s true stars.

Bueckers also talked about the possibility that she’ll replace Clark as the sport’s biggest star next season, hoping instead that the focus will shift more to all of the great women’s basketball players at the collegiate level.

These were some really cool insights from two of the game’s great players, who are both winners no matter who wins in the Final Four game on Friday.

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