Paige Bueckers has had a rollercoaster season, and with March Madness on the horizon, the pressure is building. UConn’s star guard started strong but has faced some bumps along the way. While she reminded everyone of her talent in a dominant win over Providence, the competition for National Player of the Year is getting fierce, especially withNotre Dame’sHannah Hidalgo making waves.
Hidalgo’s performance this season has been hard to ignore. Averaging 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game, she’s leading Notre Dame through an undefeated conference stretch. During a recent interview on the Courtside Club podcast,Rachel Annamarie DeMita called her the best player in the country. With Hidalgo’s consistency and dominance, the race for POTY is looking tighter than ever.
Meanwhile, Bueckers has had to work through some struggles. A rough game against Tennessee raised concerns about her confidence, especially with her shooting. She wasn’t taking as many threes and didn’t look as aggressive on the floor. But her recent performance against Providence hinted at a possible turnaround–20 points on efficient shooting and a strong defensive effort with four steals in 27 minutes.
The question is whether this game was a one-off or a sign of what’s to come. UConn needs Bueckers at her best if they want to make a deep tournament run, and she knows that. Her ability to step up in big moments has never been in doubt, but this season has shown that even the best players go through rough patches.
The battle for POTY and a tournament s howdown?
Hidalgo may be leading the POTY conversation right now, but Bueckers still has time to change the narrative. ESPN’s latest player rankings place her among the top three. If Bueckers can regain consistency, she could still make a strong case for the award.
Looking ahead, UConn and Notre Dame are both in a position to make deep tournament runs. A potential matchup between Bueckers and Hidalgo could be one of the biggest storylines of March Madness. The way they perform in the high-pressure environment of the tournament could ultimately decide who takes home the top individual honors.
Bueckers has already proven she’s one of the most skilled guards in the game, but the next few weeks will test her ability to lead UConn when it matters most. With the season reaching its most critical stage, the spotlight is on her once again.
Sources: ESPN, Courtside Club Podcast, NCAA Statistics