Analyst questions UConn's potential replacement for Paige Bueckers

The UConn Huskies were the team to beat in college basketball last season, and they should carry that distinction into next season after going the distance to win the title.

However, they won’t have their best player. Paige Bueckers, one of the greatest players in program history, took his talents to the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Now, the word around the college scene is that Geno Auriemma is eyeing USC’s Kayleigh Heckel as her potential replacement. NCAA analyst Tee Baker, however, isn’t so sure about that.

Analyst has doubts about potential Paige Bueckers replacement

“In the backcourt, it’s just who is going to be that point guard?” Baker said on the ‘Big East Energy’ podcast. “Is it KK Arnold? Can she step into that role of steady hand, or is she more of a threat off the bench? Will someone like Kayleigh Heckel commit to UConn and be that true point guard?”

Head coach Geno Auriemma of the Connecticut Huskies

At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as replacing a player of Bueckers’ caliber, and it will most definitely take a collective effort to make up for her stellar production.

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Nevertheless, if someone can land on his feet, that’s most definitely coach Auriemma and the Huskies, and this team should be right back to title contention next season.