Paige Bueckers & UConn’s losses vs. Hannah Hidalgo’s Notre Dame and JuJu Watkins’ USC put a dent in NCAA title hopes, according to hoops analyst 

Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies' recent losses to Notre Dame and USC have raised questions about whether this year’s squad has what it takes to contend for a national championship.

Hoops analyst Robin Lundberg didn’t mince words on Saturday when discussing the Huskies’ performances, pointing to weaknesses that could derail their title aspirations.

“I don’t think you can watch the game against USC (a 72-70 loss at home on Dec. 21) and the game against Notre Dame (a 79-68 loss on the road on Dec. 12) and come away thinking that this is a national championship team,” Lundberg said.

Both games highlighted vulnerabilities in UConn’s roster, particularly in physicality and execution under pressure. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and USC’s JuJu Watkins showcased their teams’ strengths while exposing UConn’s struggles to match up against elite opponents.

One of the biggest challenges for No. 7 UConn (11-2, 2-0 Big East), has been the absence of Azzi Fudd, a key player who has been sidelined due to injury. Fudd’s return could provide the spark the Huskies need to regain their footing.

“Azzi Fudd should be back and healthy, hopefully for the long haul,” Lundberg said. “Sarah Strong should only continue to develop, and she’s already a prospect as a player.”

A bright spot for UConn has been the development of freshman forward Sarah Strong. Despite UConn's recent struggles, Strong has shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 17.7 points and shooting 55.8%.

However, even with these positives, the Huskies’ recent performances have left many questioning their toughness.

“So far, UConn looks a little soft,” Lundberg said. “I think you can feel that anxiety building amongst the supporters because they’re going to tell you that they don’t believe this is a national championship team.”

Despite these concerns, the season is far from over. UConn has time to regroup, address its weaknesses, and build momentum heading into the postseason. With Fudd’s return, Strong’s continued growth, and contributions from other key players like Paige Bueckers, the Huskies still have the potential to turn things around.

Robin Lundberg raises questions about Paige Bueckers' growing expectations

Paige Bueckers has captivated fans and analysts alike with her on-court brilliance and maturity off the court. However, sports analyst Robin Lundberg recently raised questions about whether she has met the high expectations set for her this season.

In a YouTube video on Saturday, Robin Lundberg weighed in on the Paige Bueckers discussion, spotlighting the questions surrounding the UConn guard.

“Paige Bueckers has handled the pressure and expectations in an exemplary fashion from the way she has conducted herself,” Lundberg said. “But we haven’t seen her dominate. When that’s the case, she hasn’t been the best player in the country. Even the UConn faithful are starting to question that.”

Bueckers’ performances this season have sparked some doubts, with UConn suffering losses to then-No. 8 Notre Dame and then-No. 7 USC.

Observers have pointed out that while Bueckers has shown flashes of brilliance, she has not consistently delivered the dominant performances that defined her early career.

As the leader of UConn’s storied program, the pressure to deliver a title is immense.

“Paige came back to school to win a championship,” Lundeberg said. “So, there is the pressure to do that. She is expected to be the no. 1 pick in the WNBA draft for the Dallas Wings.”

This next step in her basketball journey only amplifies the scrutiny she faces, as she must not only lead her team to success but also prove she is ready to transition to the professional level as the best player in her draft class.

Despite the questions, there is no denying Bueckers’ talent and leadership. She has handled the pressure with grace and continues to be a critical piece for UConn.