Azzi Fudd reveals Paige Bueckers' key role despite being benched due to knee injury: "You can't tell Paige to calm down"

Paige Bueckers had a front-row seat to Azzi Fudd's offensive masterclass in the UConn Huskies' 81-27 win over the Xavier Musketeers at the XL Center on Wednesday night. In the postgame press conference, Fudd discussed the importance of Bueckers, who was sidelined with a knee injury.

Bueckers sprained her left knee in Sunday’s game against the Villanova Wildcats, ruling her out for the showdown with Xavier. Fudd stepped up in Bueckers' absence, scoring 23 points to lead the Huskies to their fourth straight win.

While Bueckers may have missed the game against the Musketeers, Fudd revealed the UConn star still played a key role in their emphatic win.

A reporter asked Fudd what Bueckers was like on the bench and if they were concerned about the senior guard getting a technical foul during the game because of her sideline behavior.

"That’s a CD (associate head coach Chris Dailey) issue. CD has to tell her to calm down," Fudd said. "You can’t tell Paige to calm down. She’s everyone’s biggest cheerleader, biggest fan and biggest supporter, so there was no telling her to calm down."

Paige Bueckers didn’t need to fret too much as her teammates cruised to victory against the Musketeers. Four players scored in double figures for the No. 7 UConn Huskies, who improved their overall record to 14-2. Fudd shot 9-for-14 from the floor, recording her best scoring performance of the season.

Fellow starters Sarah Strong and Jana El Alfy also contributed, scoring 15 and 11 points, respectively. Allie Ziebell delivered some much-needed offense off the bench, scoring 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting. She was lights out from 3-point range, knocking down five of her nine attempts.

Paige Bueckers' injury similar to the knee issue Azzi Fudd faced this season

Azzi Fudd knows fully well what Paige Bueckers is going through, as she picked up the same injury earlier this season. Fudd suffered a right knee sprain while fighting through a screen during the Huskies’ 85-52 victory over the Louisville Cardinals on Dec. 7.

Azzi Fudd (#35) of the UConn Huskies attacks the defense of Tae’lor Purvis (#5) of the Xavier Musketeers during the first half of their NCAA game at the XL Center on January 8, 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut. Photo: Getty

Fudd breathed a huge sigh of relief when her injury was determined to be nothing serious.

She still missed three games, though, sidelined against Notre Dame, Georgetown and Iowa State. The expectation is that Paige Bueckers will have a similar timetable for her return, with Auriemma hoping she will be back next week.