Paige Did That 🏆🫡
Just an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything that’s happened… – Paige Bueckers
After five years of hype, injuries, pressure, and NIL deals, Paige Bueckers finally finished the job. UConn blew out South Carolina 82–59 to win their 12th NCAA women’s championship, and Bueckers closed her college career exactly how she was supposed to — with a win.
WE’RE BACK
THE HUSKIES ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/YSPS5mARm7
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 6, 2025
Paige had 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Nothing crazy, but she didn’t need to do too much. Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong both dropped 24, so that part was covered. At one point, Paige hit a layup, landed flat on her back, and then started double fist-pumping while KK Arnold fake-mowed the court next to her. It was very much giving “we’re about to win the championship” vibes.
The Paige turned, the crown claimed 👏
The perfect ending for an incredible college career. Paige Bueckers gets her national title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MH74oBxZCi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2025
“We got the blueprint now,” she said, smiling with the net still hanging around her neck. “Just an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything that’s happened through the ups and downs. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Even Geno was in his feelings. He called this one of the most emotional titles of his career, right up there with the ones he won with Taurasi and Stewart.
“He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him. … Nah, I love that man like more than words can describe.”
—Paige Bueckers on what Geno Auriemma means to her 😅 pic.twitter.com/p6Y56P2qEP
— ESPN (@espn) April 6, 2025
“My journey became hers,” Auriemma said. “All the emotions that have been building inside of me came out. And they came out because in five years that she’s been at Connecticut I’ve never seen her cry.”
Not Exactly the Scenic Route
Her college run wasn’t exactly smooth. She won national player of the year as a freshman, then tore her meniscus, then her ACL. Missed two full seasons. Most players don’t come back from that. Paige did! And still looked like the best one out there. That’s not hype. That’s just what happened.
Nothing but a HISTORIC career for Paige Bueckers 🐐
👏 FASTEST UConn player to 2K PTS
👏 3x Big East POY, MOP, All-Big East
👏 1x Wooden Naismith & AP POY
👏 3x First-Team All-American
👏 National champion 🏆Next up, the WNBA 👑🔥 pic.twitter.com/5iMgW8OnKW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 6, 2025
Now she’s expected to go No. 1 in the WNBA Draft, with the Dallas Wings sitting with the top pick. When someone asked if she had a team in mind, Paige just shrugged it off: “Nowhere specific. Wherever I end up.” She knows it’s probably Dallas, but likely felt she had to say that after some college basketball rumors went around accusing her of having certain preferences about where she ends up.
Men’s Title Game Is Tonight — Still Time to Bet
The men’s March Madness championship tips off tonight at 8:50 p.m. ET, and there’s still some money to be made. Looking at the March Madness betting odds, BetUS has Florida as the slight favorite at -1, with the over/under sitting at 141. Houston’s moneyline is sitting at even, if you’re feeling bold!
HOUSTON TO THE NATTY‼️
Tap in if you called it with the Cougars 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZeDB6aeM7C
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2025
Paige already wrapped up her side of March Madness 2025 and walked off with a ring. The rest of us will be arguing about the Paige Bueckers stats vs. her actual impact on UConn women’s basketball until the draft. Now it’s the guys’ turn to try and live up to the moment in NCAA news. Good luck with that!
Comments (0)