Hoops analyst questions $1.5 million NIL-valued Paige Bueckers’ physicality and Geno Auriemma’s role in UConn star's “struggles”

Paige Bueckers has cemented herself as one of the most exciting talents in women's college basketball. She averaged 21.9 points and 5.2 rebounds last season, claiming the Big East Player of the Year and Tournament MOP.

She's matched that production this season, averaging 20.8 ppg. However, some fans and analysts have highlighted a trend in Bueckers' game and UConn's overall struggles this season, especially against top opponents. Citing UConn's loss to No. 4 USC, one hoops analyst posited an interesting take.

Robin Lundberg, a sports broadcaster who has worked for ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated, discussed fans' concerns about Paige Bueckers, who has a NIL valuation of $1.5 million per On3, on his YouTube channel on Monday.

"I've seen a lot of that talk coming from their fan base, sort of blaming Geno Auriemma. Geno has sent mixed messages to Paige but ... some of this is on her as well," Lundberg said.

"One of my issues with Paige is that I wonder how she is going to translate to the professional level as an ISO creator because I don't see that much burst in her game. She's very smooth, moves without the ball well, and playmakes well, but when she has to create her own shot against physical defenses, I've seen her struggle.

"I have some concerns about her transition ... it feels a bit convenient to place all of that at the feet of Coach Geno Auriemma. I don’t know if it’s entirely his fault that Paige Bueckers has struggled."

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Basketball analyst criticizes Geno Auriemma's remarks on Paige Bueckers

Another hoops analyst Rachel DeMita, host of “Coutside Club,” also weighed in on Paige Bueckers and coach Geno Auriemma's dynamic.

DeMita, who played at Old Dominion, noted that Auriemma has at times made contradictory statements about Bueckers' performances this season.

"Just some of the stuff he says sometimes to me doesn't feel like he takes ownership for some of these things," Rachel said (7:24).

"I think he needs to listen to what he just said. He said sometimes she over-penetrates, and then literally two games ago, he was saying that she's too passive and she's not aggressive enough."

DeMita further discussed the differences between "playing free" and "playing in your head," suggesting that Paige Bueckers appears to be the latter, based on what she has seen on the floor.

The 6-foot guard leads UConn in scoring with 20.8 points per game while also contributing 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists.