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Paige Bueckers on UConn matchup with USC, JuJu Watkins: 'It'll be a great game'

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/30/24•

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It’s official, Paige Bueckers and UConn will take on USC and freshman star JuJu Watkins in the Elite Eight. The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament just got that much better.

The Huskies, who had to hang on for dear like against Duke Saturday, got it done to advance. Now, it sets up a showdown between Bueckers and Watkins.

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Despite the veteran not believing in one-on-one matchups, she has a lot of respect for the young star and the next opponent.

“She’s a great player,” Bueckers told ESPN’s Angel Gray. “Tremendous scorer, a freshman at that. So she’s an awesome player. I never believed in the one on one matchups, obviously the media’s got to hype it up. But UConn vs. USC, it’ll be a great game, a great battle. So great team. So we’ll be preparing for that.”

UConn doesn’t hjave nearly as much depth. Even when the Huskies dip into the bench, there is a heavy reliance on the starters.

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But as Bueckers pointed out, it’s business as usual for UConn.

“A whole lot of mental toughness, just showing that it’s been like this the entire season,” Bueckers said. “Really just our lack of depth and consistency in the lineup. So everybody has to step up. It can be anybody’s night on any given night, and we all have confidence in each other. It’s next man up and it’s just a lot of resilience.”

Bueckers finished the game with 24 points, five rebounds and one assist. Only six players logged minutes for the Huskies on Saturday. KK Arnold added 12 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Aaliyah Edwards put up 12 points, six rebounds and one assist.

Following a 23-13 lead in the first half, UConn started turning up the heat. However, Duke battled back in the fourth quarter, including to pulling within two possessions.

However, Bueckers and the Huskies were too much in the end and will play USC in the Elite Eight on Monday.