The UConn Huskies are gearing up for the 2025-26 season with high expectations and plenty of pressure on their shoulders. Coming off a national championship victory in April, the team enters this new campaign as defending champions, a status that always brings extra scrutiny and anticipation. However, this season presents a significant shift for the program: they will be navigating the season without Paige Bueckers, the superstar who has been the face of the team for several years.
Bueckers’ impact on UConn basketball over the past few seasons cannot be overstated. She was the centerpiece of the Huskies’ offense, a game-changing presence on the floor, and a leader for her teammates. Since leaving college, she has made an immediate splash in the WNBA, earning the No. 1 overall pick and capturing Rookie of the Year honors in her debut season. Replacing a player of her caliber is no small task, and the Huskies will need to adjust both their lineup and their approach as they aim to maintain their championship-level performance.
Despite being away from college basketball, Bueckers has stayed connected to her former team. Before the Huskies’ first practice of the season this week, she sent a heartfelt message to legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
“She texts me, and I can show it to you. It says, ‘I miss you,’” Auriemma shared with CT Insider’s Maggie Vanoni, adding with a chuckle, “I’m not sure it was meant for me. I’m going with it was accidental, it was a butt text, and it kind of made me roll my eyes and go, ‘I kind of miss you more.’”
Clearly, Bueckers’ affection for her former team remains strong, showing that even as she embarks on her professional career, her bond with UConn is enduring.
Auriemma also put the Huskies’ current situation into historical perspective, noting that the program has faced similar challenges in the past whenever a superstar graduated or moved on. He cited legends such as Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Tina Charles as examples of players whose departures left significant gaps to fill. “Anytime you have someone that’s so dominant at their position, it takes some new getting used to, for sure,” he said, emphasizing both the difficulty and the opportunity for growth that comes with adjusting to life without a star.
As the Huskies prepare to tip off the season, they will have their first test on Monday, October 13, against Boston College, with the official season opening in November. While the absence of Bueckers presents a challenge, UConn’s history of resilience and depth suggests that the team is well-positioned to adapt and continue competing at a high level.
@uc0nic I MISS THIS DUO DOWN #paigebueckers #uconnwbb #fypシ @Paige Bueckers
