The world of women’s college basketball suffered losses before the season even started. UConn star Paige Bookers suffered an ACL tear He plans to compete in the entire 2022-23 season. This leaves Husky with many uncertainties and gaps to fill.
Bookers isn’t the only notable player in women’s college basketball, but her star power and impact on the game is undeniable. UConn has long held a strong position with 11 national championships, but until earlier this year, the Huskies hadn’t reached a title game since her 2016. The arrival of her Bueckers in 2020 proved to be the push in the right direction that UConn needed. But Buckers’ injury has created a number of “what ifs” for her and her team.
excellent freshman season
The 5-foot-11 guard was a highly regarded prospect after graduating from high school, living up to the hype as a freshman in 2020-21. She started in her 29 games, averaging 20 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 52.4% on the field and 46.4% of her 3-point range. She was the Huskies’ top scorer, leading the team in steals (66) and assists (she had 5.8 per game). Bookers set her UConn freshman record with 168 total assists against Butler on February 27, 2021, and set her school’s single-game assists record with 14 assists.
Not surprisingly, Buckers won 11 major honors that season. She was the first freshman to win the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year and USBWA Player of the Year.
The Huskies finished that season with a 28-2 overall record after losing to Arizona in the semifinals of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Tournament. That wasn’t how her UConn would close out that campaign, but because of what Bueckers had accomplished as a freshman and what she could do with another year of experience, there was no limit to the program.
UConn’s only other loss that season came in late January to No. 19 Arkansas.
Roller coaster sophomore season, first serious injury
The Huskies’ 2021-22 season opened in Arkansas, but this time the UConn turned around with a 95-80 victory over the Razorbacks. UConn’s first loss came last November at Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, 73-57 in favor of South Carolina. The Gamecocks were and still are a great team, so there was no shame in that.
Things seemed to be mostly going well for the Huskies, but on December 5th, something happened.
UConn, then No. 2, beat No. 24 Notre Dame 73-54, led by Bookers’ 22-point performance. With just seconds left in the game, Buekers was dribbling down the court before tripping and falling awkwardly. The seriousness of her injury soon became apparent as she had to be carried off the court. The following week, Bookers underwent surgery for an anterior tibial plateau fracture and a torn lateral meniscus in his left foot.
The Huskies obviously had to regroup after that as they lost 57-44 to Georgia Tech in their first game without Bookers.After the match, UConn manager Geno Auriemma He said the team felt “disorganized”.
Ultimately, the Huskies were able to adjust as senior guard Christine Williams stepped up as top scorer.Bookers missed 19 games before returning in late February. In her first game return, Buckers came off the bench and registered eight points on 4-for-5 shooting in 12 minutes.
It took several weeks for her to return to her previous level. Bookers finally looked like her old self in her UConn Elite Eight game against North Carolina. The Huskies then walked away with a 91–87 victory. survive double overtime — For the first time in an Elite Eight game — against the #1-seeded Wolfpack. Bookers only scored his four points in the first half, but finished the night with his game-high 27 points, including his 15 after regulation.
At the post-match press conference, Williams explained their victory in the simplest way she could.
“We have Paige Bookers, but they don’t.” she said.
UConn reached the Final Four for the 14th time in a row, eventually qualifying for the 2022 Women’s National Championship against South Carolina. However, the Gamecocks dominated from the start and took the trophy with a 64-49 victory.
Bueckers had 14 points and 6 rebounds against the Gamecocks, but she was the only UConn player to finish in double figures.
Still, it was a good learning experience for UConn.
“I like our chances,” said Ouriemma after the game.
But now…
UConn lost Nelson-Odada and Williams, but a healthy Bueckers alongside Fudd looked capable of taking the team to similar heights in 2022-23. The Huskies were expected to be very competitive again, but now the question is who will step up to Buckers in the wake of her devastating injury.
Viewkers finished his sophomore campaign averaging 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 54.4% from the field in 17 games. These stats weren’t as strong as they were in their freshman season, but they would have been as good or better were it not for midseason injuries. You will definitely miss out on the next season as you get to grips with the.
Without 6.5-foot forward Nelson Odada, the team would lose preseason leaders in shooting percentage (59.5%) and rebounding (7.5% per game). She also led the team in steals (55) and assists (116) last season. Meanwhile, Williams averaged her 14.2 points per game in her 2021-22 season, leaving the team as her second scorer behind Buckers.
Fudd is thus currently the only player in UConn to score in double figures. Last season, she averaged her 12.1 points per game, her 45.7% shooting percentage from the field and her team-best 43.0% shooting percentage from range from 3-point range. The 5-foot-11 guard enters her sophomore season in a bigger role than she probably expected.
Staying healthy is more important than ever for Huskies. Other players working on recovery this offseason are Dorka Juhas (wrist), Caroline Ducharm (hip) and Aubrey Griffin (back). Griffin, a 6-foot-1 forward, has dealt with several injuries, missing all of last season and underwent back surgery in January.
As far as newcomers go, the Huskies also have one of the top recruiting classes for 2022. This upcoming class includes Ayanna Patterson and Ice Brady, who ranked 4th and 5th respectively. ESPN outlook for 2022.
UConn likely won’t make it through next season, but Auriemma’s record speaks for itself.As for Bookers, she revealed she’s already working on what she believes “Unexpected Comeback”
