As the USC Trojans prepare to face the UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight, JuJu Watkins is well aware of the threat that Paige Bueckers poses to her team.
Bueckers is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NCAA Tournament, and she has the Huskies dominating the competition this March Madness. And for Watkins, she understands that Bueckers will be a tough match-up for them because of what she can do on the court.
Paige Bueckers’ Greatness Highlighted by JuJu Watkins
Ahead of their Elite Eight showdown on Monday, Watkins was full of praises for Bueckers and what she has been doing in the NCAA Tournament.
Bueckers has been sensational for the Huskies, averaging 28.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in the three games she has played so far for the team. While she struggled a bit in their Sweet 16 battle with the Duke Blue Devils, she still found a way to contribute.
Now that they are going to face the no. 1 seeded USC, hopes are high that Bueckers will deliver for UConn once again.
For what it’s worth, Watkins isn’t expecting anything less from Bueckers, as she shared what makes the Huskies superstar so dangerous. Having watched plenty if UConn games, the Trojans star knows that Bueckers’ ability to control the game and make plays are some things they have to be wary of.
“That’s the key part to being a great basketball player is surveying the court and stuff like that. It’s definitely something I’m continuing to work on, but I would say she’s got it. Not necessarily how quick, but the way she’s able to slow the game down and make the right plays,” Watkins shared, via AP News.
Watkins certainly couldn’t have said it any better. While Bueckers is an all-around player, her ability to manage the game and find the best plays for herself and her teammates really stand out. It’s a big reason why the Huskies have been so hard to beat, and now, the Trojans will have to deal with it as well.
Paige Bueckers Also Cautious of JuJu Watkins
For what it’s worth, it’s not only JuJu Watkins who is approaching the Elite Eight with caution. Paige Bueckers herself is well aware of how dominant Watkins can be, especially when he gets going.
Watkins can still improve her efficiency, but she is a relentless scorer who has plenty of moves in her offensive arsenal. In order for the UConn Huskies to slow her down, it will need to be a collective effort.
Bueckers also specifically took note of Watkins’ confidence and fearlessness, qualities that make a scorer like the USC Trojans freshman even more lethal.
“Her confidence, her fearlessness, and ability to just not care that she’s a freshman and just perform the way that she does at the level that she does, it’s pretty amazing,” Bueckers said of Watkins.
It will definitely be interesting to watch the battle between the two amazing women. And sure enough, their showdown is bound to have plenty of big-time plays.
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