Bueckers Hypes UConn as 'Basketball Capital' Ahead of Final Four

Former Husky star Paige Bueckers is rooting for both UConn teams to win titles this weekend.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in navy blue and white representing the UConn Huskies.Paige Bueckers' former UConn teams have a chance to solidify the program's status as the 'basketball capital of the world' with dual national titles.Dallas Today

Paige Bueckers, now a member of the WNBA's Dallas Wings, is excited to watch her former UConn teams compete in the Final Four this weekend. The Huskies are looking to win both the men's and women's national championships, solidifying their status as the 'basketball capital of the world.' Bueckers has been in touch with her former coaches and teammates, providing encouragement as they chase history.

Why it matters

UConn has long been considered one of the premier college basketball programs, with both the men's and women's teams consistently competing for national titles. Bueckers' comments highlight the pride and passion surrounding the Huskies' basketball legacy, as they aim to cement their status as the top destination for elite college hoops.

The details

Bueckers, who led UConn to the women's national championship last year, says she has been regularly communicating with her former coaches and teammates as they prepare for the Final Four. She stopped by a recent Huskies practice to provide support, and the two-time national champion is predicting victories for both the men's and women's squads this weekend. Bueckers is also planning to be in Phoenix to cheer on her former program, which is looking to add to its impressive collection of national titles.

  • Bueckers won the national championship with UConn just one year ago.
  • The Huskies' men's and women's teams are both competing in the Final Four this weekend.

The players

Paige Bueckers

A former star player for the UConn women's basketball team, Bueckers is now a member of the WNBA's Dallas Wings.

Geno Auriemma

The longtime head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, who has led the Huskies to 12 national championships.

Alex Karaban

A player on the UConn men's basketball team, who Bueckers believes could be the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Azzi Fudd

A star player on the current UConn women's basketball team, who was the Most Outstanding Player of last year's Final Four.

Sarah Nurse

A standout player on the UConn women's basketball team, who Bueckers says could also be the Most Outstanding Player of this year's Final Four.

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What they’re saying

“I have FOMO. I just want to be out there competing. This is one of the most fun times of the year.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Basketball Player

“It's fun watching it from a different perspective. You don't get so worked up, you don't have the same anxiety and nerves as you did when you were playing, and you kind of get to watch from a just a fan view.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Basketball Player

“I talk to them all the time, whether it be like FaceTime or just texting them and letting them know I'm there for them, or great job, like any words of advice or just words of encouragement. And me and coach are always, we have banter like literally every other week, so that's pretty good.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Basketball Player

“We'll basically order every single flavor and we'll just run the tab up.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Basketball Player

“I mean, we've said it before, we feel like it's the basketball capital of the world. It's funny cause we won one last year while I was at school, the men won two, so we were trying to get it correlated to where we could win it in the same year, but it didn't happen. So, there's a great chance for it to happen this year, and that would be really, really fulfilling to our basketball capital of the world statement.”

— Paige Bueckers, Former UConn Basketball Player

What’s next

Both the UConn men's and women's basketball teams will compete in the Final Four this weekend, with the chance to win national championships and solidify the school's status as the 'basketball capital of the world'.

The takeaway

Paige Bueckers' enthusiasm for her former UConn teams reflects the deep pride and tradition surrounding the Huskies' basketball programs. As both squads chase titles, the school is poised to cement its reputation as one of the premier destinations for elite college hoops.