NCAAB analyst reviews Paige Bueckers’ UConn before upcoming matchups vs JuJu Watkins’ USC and Hannah Hidalgo’s Notre Dame

All eyes are on Paige Bueckers and the No. 2 UConn Huskies as they gear up for a tough stretch of games. They face No. 8 Notre Dame, led by Hannah Hidalgo, followed by matchups against No. 18 Iowa State and No. 5 USC, featuring star sophomore guard JuJu Watkins.

On the latest episode of 'Got Next' on NBC Sports released on Monday, analyst duo Meghan McKeown and Zora Stephenson dissected the Huskies' dominant 85-52 win over Louisville to improve to 8-0 this season.

McKeown and Stephenson praised Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, who led the Huskies with 21 and 18 points, respectively amid Paige Bueckers' off night (eight points, 2-11 FG). McKeown singled out Strong for her impressive play despite being a first-year player.

"[Strong] has started every single game in her freshman season. She does not look like a freshman out there, and that's what's so good. I love her game, I love how poised she is," McKeown said at 5:05.

The duo then looked ahead to UConn's upcoming marquee matchups this December.

"Look what UConn has coming down the pipeline, they gotta play at Notre Dame. But also, they're playing Iowa State on a neutral court at Mohegan Sun Arena," McKeown said (7:35). "And then they have to play USC. So just like their December schedule is insane. The fact that they were able to play that well against Louisville is out of this world."

Zora Stephenson also weighed in on the matchup between Paige Bueckers and Hidalgo.

"I will be excited to see how Hannah matches up against Paige," she said (10:44). "I mean, you want to use the word poise — that's what Paige Bueckers is to me. Her game, like, she doesn't get flustered. But Hannah is trying to fluster people, right? So, like, what gives in that matchup? I'm excited to see that."

UConn will face a stern test against Notre Dame on Thursday as Hidalgo has been incredible for the Fighting Irish averaging 24.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3.3 apg.

Hannah Hidalgo's Notre Dame defeated Paige Bueckers' UConn last season

The Notre Dame-UConn rivalry has heated up in recent years with the Fighting Irish getting the better of the Huskies in their last two meetings, including an 82-67 victory last season.

Paige Bueckers and Hannah Hidalgo met for the first time last year in a highly anticipated showdown, with Hidalgo getting the upper hand.

Freshman Hidalgo put on a spectacular performance with 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to end the Huskies' 13-game winning streak at Gampel Pavilion. On the other hand, Bueckers struggled, shooting just 5-of-17 from the field for 17 points.

This season, the game is at Purcell Pavilion, South Bend where the Fighting Irish have not lost since February.