UConn WBB Weekly: Paige Bueckers planning to be a player-coach this season

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Last week’s weekly:

Paige Buckers to take on coaching role this season

When Paige Bookers missed 19 games last season with a tibial plateau fracture and a torn meniscus, she quickly established herself as the leader of UConn’s bench mob. Whenever Husky made a big play on the floor, she was cheering everyone up. It led to some funny moments.

Buckers will take on a different role on the sidelines this season.

“Yeah, I’m the head coach. The coach let me take his place,” she joked, then became serious. will not only be the one to talk to and be the one to push them, but also be the one to turn to when they need support. I don’t know yet.”

This is what Viewkers dabbled in during previous injuries. She gave pointers here and there, offered a different perspective than the coaching staff, and she’s out there all year, so she plans to jump in with both feet.

“The moment she got injured, and after the surgery, she told me, ‘I’ll be the best coach on the coaching staff.

During his two years at Storrs, Bueckers tended to annoy the head coach. She finds a way to get under his skin. It’s be it pestering him to put her back in the game after she subs out, teasing him in her interviews, or giving him a friendly tap after making a three.

But for now, Auriemma focuses on the positive side. He looks forward to giving her the chance to see the game through a different lens, even if it’s not an ideal situation.

“A lot of the time you can see things from the sidelines. You see things when you’re watching a movie, not when you’re looking at it as a player, but when you’re looking at it more as a coach.” Auriema said. She said, “We want her to learn more about the game by sitting in her practice and looking through her coach’s eyes and doing these things.”

Bueckers’ teammates are also excited about her new role. Auriemma is famous for pushing her players both physically and mentally, and has proven effective, but it’s still hard to give staff a positive voice during rough stretches. That’s great.

“She would make a good cop,” said Nika Mule.

“Hearing from a coach is different than hearing from one of the players, so I think it definitely helps a lot,” added Aji Fad.

Let’s see how long this arrangement lasts.

“But she’ll always be the same page,” said Auriema. I will ask for it.”

Fortunately, he prepares for the inevitable.

“I have the ultimate punishment ready for her when she starts to have a sore butt,” said Auriemma. That would be the ultimate punishment: she won’t say a word for the next three months.”

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Inside video during practice:

A few blasts from the past: