Paige Bueckers’ “Greatest Hurdle” Uncovered as UConn Insider Particulars Affect of Nika Muhl’s Absence

It’s a widely known indisputable 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 robust for them to satisfy their dream, particularly since that is additionally going to be Bueckers’ final yr. Nonetheless, there’s one issue that may break the deal for them and a UConn podcaster just lately revealed that.

On Tuesday’s episode of Locked On UConn, Mark Zanetto shared the obstacle to Bueckers’ dream of successful the NCAA Championship.

“In previous years UConn gamers like Nika Muhl dealt with that management and accountability. However now Paige is de facto serving to to fill that void. And we now have to speak about the way in which she’s balancing this function whereas additionally being the crew’s greatest participant. I believe that to me is the largest hurdle of any participant that’s the most gifted participant on the crew to then additionally present management in methods aside from with efficiency or by actions,” Zanetto acknowledged.

He believes so as a result of it might be onerous for an individual to place into phrases how they’re feeling with out being condescending or in a detrimental tone, particularly if they’re the quieter varieties.

Bueckers has by no means been the vocal variety. When she got here to the Huskies as a freshman, Evina Westbrook was their off-court chief. Then as Bueckers progressed to the following season, she was once more supported by Westbrook, Christyn Williams, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Throughout final season, she, for the primary time, obtained the appreciable accountability of main the pack. Nonetheless, supporting her from the opposite finish was Nika Muhl. However, this season Muhl has handed out and the one help she might need is in Azzi Fudd, who describes herself as quieter than Bueckers.

However Zanetto believes Beuckers can deal with each the roles nicely sufficient.

“And I believe Paige’s potential to be each, not a talker, however the entire reverse of that — the present not the verbal facet of it. However you want each as a pacesetter. You’ll be able to’t simply be a quiet individual and lead a crew. It’s sort of unattainable,” Zanetto added.

“I believe she additionally understands her function as a vocal chief, which she has by no means been earlier than,” Auriemma opined of Bueckers in January 2024 forward of the March Insanity. Bueckers was at all times identified for doing the speaking together with her abilities, somewhat than her phrases. As per Auriemma, her ideally suited world was to “simply go on the market and do my factor, and I’ll play and all people will observe my instance and we’ll win.” Nonetheless, that needed to be modified and with Muhl not on her aspect, it’d get robust for Bueckers to handle it.

Muhl was drafted because the fourteenth total choose within the second spherical by the Seattle Storm this season. At one time Auriemma had revealed that he wouldn’t “commerce for anyone.” Plus, she was additionally applauded by the 11x NCAA successful coach for her maturity. However may this hinder Huskies’ shot on the title?

A take a look at Paige Bueckers’ Huskies

This yr, the Huskies are depending on two veterans: Bueckers and her shut pal Azzi Fudd. Supporting them are Jana El Alfy, who performs heart, and Ice Brady and Sarah Robust, who will ply their trade as forwards. Likely, going by their squad, these would be the beginning 5. Although the Huskies went by means of main harm points final yr, this season, they appear to be match and have been ranked second within the AP girls’s basketball rankings.

They’re additionally the favorites to brush the Huge East title. And Bueckers can also be the favourite to bag Huge East Participant of the 12 months, and if she does so, then she is going to be part of Maya Moore, Kerry Bascom, and Shelly Pennefather to clinch the award thrice. Therefore, the Huskies have to be assured of being a high crew this season. Nonetheless, what can cease them is Bueckers’ inexperience in management roles.

Hopefully, Bueckers and Auriemma will attempt to remedy this downside. And maybe Bueckers studying management abilities will even profit her as soon as she transitions into the WNBA.