Paige Bueckers leads UConn to the Big East title, showcasing a team that possesses all the pieces to win it all. Geno Auriemma, known for his no-excuses approach, has seen his squad battle through challenges over the past four years. As confetti rained down at Mohegan Sun Arena, marking the Huskies’ 23rd overall Big East Tournament championship, the atmosphere felt electrifyingly different this time around.
“They’re playing as well as anyone in America right now,” remarked FOX Sports analyst Kim Adams while discussing the No. 3-ranked Huskies. “They have all the pieces to win it all.”
UConn’s talent shone brightly during their 70-50 victory over Creighton, a team that is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and entered the matchup with an impressive 26-6 record. The Huskies demonstrated their prowess in a two-hour basketball clinic.
Creighton’s coach, Jim Flanery, acknowledged the uphill battle his team faced, having already fallen to UConn twice this season by a combined 30 points. He stated that the margin for error was “slim to none,” emphasizing that they needed to be perfect to compete.
Just four minutes into the game, UConn surged to an 11-0 lead, fueled by a defense that has excelled over the past month. The Huskies rank fourth nationally, allowing only 51.9 points per game, and boast the best scoring margin in the country at +29. They limited St. John’s and Villanova to just two points in a quarter during their quarterfinal and semifinal victories.
What was lacking in the earlier rounds was evident in the final, as UConn shot 8-of-15 from beyond the arc in the first half, leading 40-22 at halftime. This marked a significant improvement from their previous two games where they shot just over 26% from three-point range.
The standout story of this UConn squad, and indeed of women’s college basketball, is Bueckers Mania. While still pursuing her first national title, Bueckers achieved a milestone by winning the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player award for the third time (2021, 2024, 2025). She totaled 65 points on 55% shooting, along with 14 rebounds, 12 assists, five blocks, and four steals across three tournament games.
“There are two ways that a senior can go,” Auriemma noted. “They can either panic or relish the moment. Let’s hope it continues to go in the latter direction, and that’s what she is right now.”
Strong’s ability to read the game at an elite level while remaining composed was evident. “It’s my favorite trait of hers… she just plays,” Auriemma commented, highlighting that many freshmen take time to find their rhythm.
This is not the case for Strong, whose mother, Allison Feaster, was a three-time Ivy League Player of the Year at Harvard and a WNBA veteran, while her father, Danny, played at NC State and overseas.
After a stellar performance with 20 points and 16 rebounds against Villanova, Strong contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, four assists, and three blocks in the title game. When UConn employs a smaller lineup with Strong at the center position, it creates what Flanery termed “their death lineup.”
“Sarah is the best and most difficult player to match up with that they’ve had since Breanna Stewart,” said St. John’s head coach Joe Tartamella. “Strong completes them if she’s at the top of her game because Bueckers is driven, Kaitlyn Chen is steady, and Azzi Fudd is the X-factor.”
Auriemma has led UConn to 11 national championships, with the last one in 2016. However, the current form of his team suggests they have a strong chance to contend for another title.
Bueckers’ determination is palpable, and Strong embodies her name in every aspect. The Huskies are a formidable force, and their performance on Monday night solidified their status.
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