Biggest questions facing UConn in the NCAA Tournament

Before UConn’s 29-point takedown of South Carolina in February, Geno Auriemma delivered an eye-opening statement.

“I think we're gonna be a tremendous NCAA Tournament team. I really do," he declared confidently.

Now that the field is set and the Huskies know their path, it’s time for them to prove it. At their peak, they’re borderline unstoppable with a trio of Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd that’s buttressed by quality depth and a swarming defense.

That doesn’t mean they’re unstoppable, though. Even after 34 games, there are still some big questions swirling around UConn ahead of March Madness.

Are Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong ready to take over?

This year’s UConn team has been powered by Bueckers and Strong — an inside-out, rookie-veteran tandem. Yet for as good as they’ve been — both should be All-Americans — Auriemma is still trying to get more out of them. Despite all their talent, neither are alpha dogs by nature. They can each be overly-deferential, preferring to set up their teammates rather than score themselves.

That lack of aggressive from Bueckers proved to be the Huskies’ downfall in the Final Four last season when she took just three shots in the fourth quarter and finished with 17 points. Over the summer, she described that loss as a “reality check” and vowed never to let it happen again.

Now’s the time to show it.

Bueckers took a step forward during the Big East Tournament. She played with a level of urgency that we haven’t seen in quite some time, taking over in crucial moments to lead the Huskies to victory.

As for Strong, she should try to emulate Breanna Stewart. After an up-and-down freshman season, Stewart decided she was going to become the best player in the country in the week between the Big East and NCAA Tournaments. UConn won the national championship and the freshman won Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Strong absolutely has the ability to do similar.

“The average person has not seen half of what Sarah Strong has the capability of doing,” Auriemma told The Athletic’s WBB Show. “I'm hoping that as we get closer to tournament time, I can drag that out of her.”

The coach isn’t the only one pushing Strong to stop acting like a freshman, either. He’s gotten her parents in on it, too.

“It's fun because her mom and her dad, all three of us are ganging up on her every day, encouraging her to be more aggressive,” Auriemma said.

Bueckers and Strong both have the ability to carry the Huskies to a national championship. Whether or not they actually do so is largely up to themselves.

How much will the bigs contribute?

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