The basketball world is buzzing, and not in a good way for UConn’s legendary coach Geno Auriemma. Once hailed as a mastermind of women’s hoops, Auriemma now finds himself at the center of controversy over his decision to prioritize Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark. With Clark breaking records and shattering expectations in both college and the WNBA, critics are calling Auriemma’s judgment into question. Meanwhile, Bueckers, once the golden girl of college basketball, is struggling to meet the sky-high expectations that once surrounded her.
Clark’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of historic—time and again proving her doubters wrong. From earning Time Athlete of the Year to setting new WNBA benchmarks, Clark’s dominance is undeniable. On the flip side, Bueckers’ numbers, while solid, have not lived up to her freshman-year brilliance. And with rising stars like Olivia Miles threatening to overtake her as the projected top pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, the pressure on Bueckers—and Auriemma—has never been higher.
So, was Geno’s faith in Bueckers misplaced? And can she reclaim her throne in the ever-evolving landscape of women’s basketball? One thing’s for sure: the stakes have never been higher for the Huskies and their embattled coach.