Back in February, Paige Bueckers had one message: “Throw the first punch.” She was talking about UConn facing South Carolina. Now she gets another shot at the Gamecocks — but this time, she’s already ahead on one front: energy. Friday night in Tampa, UConn steamrolled UCLA 85–51 to punch their ticket to the national title game, which will be their 13th appearance. Bueckers wasn’t at her sharpest — 7-for-17 shooting, no threes — but that didn’t matter. She still had 16 points while Sarah Strong dropped 22 and Azzi Fudd had 19. With seven players scoring at least five, it was a full-blown team effort. The Bruins were done by halftime.
But it wasn’t just the scoreboard lighting up. The crowd brought the feeling of a Final Four. Amalie Arena felt electric. So how could Bueckers not soak it in? “It was amazing for women’s basketball — the turnout, the support, just the display of basketball,” she said postgame. “It’s great for the sport and great for younger girls to see.”
Now rewind a few hours earlier— South Carolina vs. Texas. Two elite programs. Dawn Staley vs. Vic Schaefer, Round 4. But despite the stakes? Crickets.
“It was amazing for women’s basketball – the turnout, the support, just the display of basketball”
Paige Bueckers talks about the environment in Tampa for the Final Four: pic.twitter.com/w9mDTeGXUq
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) April 5, 2025
Something that just couldn’t escape fans’ watchful eyes was the many empty seats jumping out of the TV. Even with South Carolina staying undefeated and winning, the buzz had just gone completely AWOL. Sure, tickets were technically sold — but the total turnout for the first game told a different story. Some fans strolled in late, just for UConn–UCLA. Some never showed at all.
This is where the Bueckers Effect hits.
When UConn played, it felt bigger, which can very much be owed to Paige’s popularity. Because who can deny that she doesn’t just show up, she elevates the event! She doesn’t just play basketball — she moves the needle. It’s why brands love her. It’s why fans show up. It’s why her games look and sound different.
To talk about South Carolina, they have had decent crowds all season, but if you thought that always equals impact, then think again. In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, the Gamecocks pulled 11,683 fans — loud, yes, but still their lowest home crowd of the year. And here’s the thing: it’s not just about vibes, it’s also about dollars, too.
Last season, Iowa and UConn each made over $3 million from ticket sales. South Carolina? About $1.63 million — despite leading the nation in butts-in-seats. Why? Their tickets are cheaper. Their arena is huge. And the program’s costs are sky-high. So, when the attendance is also low on top of that, it doesn’t exactly scream great.
In 2024, the South Carolina women’s basketball program reported more than $5.6 million in losses. That’s more than Auburn, a .500 team that got bounced in the First Four. With coaching expenses taking up a big chunk- Staley makes $4 million a year, and her assistants earn hefty bonuses- one must win, especially if you don’t have Bueckers’ or Clark’s hype. UConn and Iowa have certainly proved something: buzz sells. Hype fills seats and bank accounts. The Huskies sold $3.25 million in women’s basketball tickets last season. Iowa? $3.3 million. And they don’t lead the nation in attendance — they just priced and packaged their product better.
Dawn Staley knows the numbers don’t always tell the full story. She’s said it herself — that success brings value beyond the books. Applications go up. Brand exposure grows. Columbia’s mayor said the Gamecocks have helped elevate the whole city. And he’s right — there’s an impact in what the Gamecocks have built. But Paige? She’s creating something different. Something immediate. Something that shows up in both the atmosphere and the bottom line.
Now, she gets another shot at the team that denied her a title back in 2022. One more game. One last punch. And this time, she’s bringing the crowd with her.
Paige Bueckers against Dawn Staley for the crown
Paige Bueckers is heading into Sunday’s national championship game with more than just a trophy on the line — she’s earned admiration from legends and peers alike. And yes, even from Dawn Staley. During last year’s March Madness, Staley didn’t hold back when talking about Paige. “Paige is probably the elitist basketball player to ever grace our game,” she said. “She doesn’t take bad shots.” That’s high praise from one of the most respected coaches in the sport.
But even with that mutual respect, Sunday’s game has some extra heat. South Carolina pushed hard, pretty hard, to recruit UConn’s Sarah Strong, one of the top freshmen in the country. Staley has known Strong’s mom, Allison Feaster, since their WNBA days. So when Strong picked UConn, it stung a little.“I don’t know how we don’t get Sarah Strong, right?” Staley joked in February. “[UConn] did a great job. I haven’t talked to Allison since. No, I’m kidding!”
Strong has been huge for UConn this year, averaging 16.1 points. She’ll now face the coach who nearly had her. Still, Bueckers is keeping it classy. “South Carolina is a great team, very well coached,” she said Friday. But make no mistake — she’s ready.
Sunday’s title game? It’s going to have a lot behind those eyes.
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