"You can talk trash": Paige Bueckers gets candid about facing male practice players

Fourth-year sensation Paige Bueckers is considered to be in a league of her own due to the stardom she’s garnered and her high level of play. It has been reported that this 2024-2025 season at UConn could be her last before she declares for the WNBA draft.

But with the fiery scorer she currently is, Bueckers revealed what she enjoys most about practicing with male players. Given their go-hard attitude and never-back-down mentalities, the senior star shared her thoughts during a pre-game press conference on Friday.

"You can talk trash, and they don't take it personal. Go back and forth with them, and at the end of the day, it's all love," Bueckers shared. (4:17 mark)

Paige Bueckers then shared that she rarely had to practice with male players in high school. However, she is getting used to it in college.

"Definitely, getting used to that physicality and that type of competition her in college," Bueckers said. (4:35 mark)

The 5-foot-11 guard’s training with male practice players may be just what she needs to ramp up her game for the WNBA when the time comes. After all, Bueckers is averaging strong all-around numbers, with 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game this season.

Her consistently efficient play has propelled the Huskies to a 10-1 record, and they are ranked first in the Big East as conference play heats up. For a team that hasn’t won a national title since 2016, capturing one this season could be the ideal way for Bueckers to culminate her college career.

The Huskies now turn their attention to a hotly contested matchup against sophomore standout JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans on Saturday, Dec. 21, at home.

Paige Bueckers says it's UConn versus USC, not her against JuJu Watkins

With all the hype surrounding a Paige Bueckers vs. JuJu Watkins matchup on Saturday, the 23-year-old made it clear that no matter how much excitement it generates, her focus is on getting her team the win — it’s still a squad-versus-squad contest.

"That's how it's always been against these matchups. Obviously, the media does their job and has the graphics, the names, (and) makes it easy to promote in that way. But, two teams against each other trying to win a basketball game. That's how it always is," she said (0:33 mark).

The last time the Huskies and Trojans met was in their Elite 8 matchup last season, where UConn defeated USC 80-73 to advance to the Final Four.