Paige Bueckers’ injury is similar to Azzi Fudd; Geno Auriemma provides major update

Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies dominated Villanova in an 83-52 victory on Sunday. However, their star picked up an injury that will sideline her for the next game as UConn coach Geno Auriemma provided a major update on Tuesday.

Bueckers had a collision late in the third quarter, when Villanova's Jasmine Bascoe dove for the loose ball as she rolled up Bueckers' leg, causing an unnatural bend. She grimaced in pain as she limped off the court and went to the locker room; she later returned to the bench but was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Auriemma compared the injury to the one that Azzi Fudd suffered earlier this season, being optimistic that Bueckers won't be sidelined for too long.

"It is going to be kind of similar to what the scenario for Azzi was, you know. And it turned out to be pretty much the exact same thing. ... It's a sprain," Auriemma said. "There's nothing torn. There's nothing crazy about it. ... The ankle's fine. ... (It's) a minor ankle sprain.

"Her ankle is fine. Sore, don't get me wrong. Her knee got twisted a certain way. Her ankle got twisted a certain way. It was just an awkward thing, but we are hoping we have her back in a week."

Paige Bueckers, UConn see place in new AP Top 25 poll

Even though Paige Bueckers will be temporarily sidelined, UConn has done well throughout the regular season to not be pushed around.

The Associated Press updated its rankings on Monday, revealing the Huskies (13-2, 4-0 Big East) to have maintained their place at the seventh spot. Teams above them include USC, Texas and undefeated LSU; the squads below them are undefeated Maryland and Ohio State.

They are rolling with three straight wins. Their defense has been troubling for opponents, limiting teams to 53.1 points on 36.3% shooting (31.7% from beyond the arc). Playmaking and ball security have been their calling cards, creating 21.8 assists and limiting their turnovers to 10.5 per game.

Before the injury, Bueckers has been putting up 19.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals on shooting splits of 55.9% overall and 40.3% from downtown. Sarah Strong follows suit as the second option, averaging 17.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.2 spg and 1.3 blocks per contest.

Until Paige Bueckers returns, the No. 7 Huskies will look to hold down the fort for her when they visit Xavier (5-9, 0-3) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.