"Biggest whiner in America": UConn HC Geno Auriemma discusses Paige Bueckers' annoyance with lack of foul calls

Geno Auriemma called Paige Bueckers "the biggest whiner in America" in the UConn WBB coach's show at Fox Sports 97-9 on Thursday. Auriemma made the statement when discussing the Huskies' lack of free throws this season during the third segment of the program hosted by Bob Joyce.

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks with guard Paige Bueckers (#5) from the sideline as they take on the St. John's Red Storm in the second half at XL Center. Photo: Imagn

"That’s always a point of emphasis, to get to the free throw line. Paige is the biggest whiner in America because she feels she doesn’t get the calls that she deserves. So she goes in there, throws up something crazy and it goes in. Then she wants to know why she didn’t get a foul call," Auriemma said.

Auriemma surmised that referees are hesitant to call fouls nowadays. Officials will wait until the offensive player makes or misses the basket to decide whether to blow the whistle during the play.

"Part of it is they just expect her to finish. A lot of times what officials are doing these days more and more, you saw it down in the Bahamas, they are actually waiting to see if the ball goes in. That’s what it feels like to me. That’s like the European model. In Europe, when you shoot the ball in the lane, there’s always a little bit of a delayed whistle," Auriemma said.

Exploring Paige Bueckers and UConn Huskies' lack of free throw attempts

Bueckers is averaging just 2.9 free throw attempts per game for No. 2 UConn this season, down from the 4.2 free throws she attempted on average last season. The Huskies have not shot that many free throws as a team either, recording just 64 attempts at the charity stripe.

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives the ball against Holy Cross Crusaders guard Simone Foreman (24) in the second half of their NCAA game at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Photo: Imagn

According to NCAA.com, they are ranked 349th in the nation in free throw attempts per game with a low 9.14 average. Auriemma explained that UConn's lack of free throw attempts could be attributed to the Huskies focusing more on their perimeter shooting this season.

We’re not going to the free throw line because we’re shooting a lot more threes than we did last year. We’re not getting three-point plays so we’re hoping to make more threes," Auriemma said.

That was evident in UConn's 88-52 win over Holy Cross on Tuesday. The Huskies shot 14-of-31 from the 3-point area and only 4-of-7 from the free throw line in the game against the Crusaders.