Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, Paige Bueckers—one of the deadliest Big 3s in the country when fully fit. Their performance was on display once again, with Strong scoring 22 points, Azzi Fudd dropping 19 points, and Paige Bueckers scoring 16 points. The Huskies were able to trounce the Bruins with an 85-51 win. Despite the dominant win, fans felt a lack of chemistry from the long-time best friends Fudd and Bueckers.
It was Fudd’s first semifinal game since 2022, as injuries had sidelined her career. But it didn’t take long for the 22-year-old to assert herself. She would score all of her 19 points in the first half. The efficiency was also high for the Virginia native guard thanks to 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. On the contrary, Paige Bueckers had a quiet night by her standards. She scored 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting (40%)!
Which was well below her tournament average of 35.0 points per game over her previous three outings. The 23-year-old faced high defensive pressure as she scored her first points with 4 minutes left in the first quarter. Some of the fans connected this to the crisis the team seemed to have when their star guards played together. “Because Paige WON’T PASS TO AZZI! I swear to God she doesn’t like when Azzi shines. Tell me any other reason why?”
Because Paige WON’T PASS TO AZZI! I swear to God she doesn’t like when Azzi shines. Tell me any other reason why?
— haveapoopieday4 (@haveapoopieday4) April 5, 2025
The truth is their friendship started way before they became Huskies. Having first met on the USA Basketball U16 team, the UConn duo has since formed a blossoming friendship. Both their careers in Storrs have similar trajectories. First, both suffered knee injuries and then season ending injuries to limit their time on the hardwood.
As of January 22, the duo played only in 28 of 131 possible games together. That could be the reason for them not being so smooth together on the court. However, the fans were not happy and wanted this to change.
Despite deep connection, fans feel Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd’s disconnection on the court
When Fudd was the five-star recruit in the class of 2021 by ESPN, it was Bueckers who went above and beyond to convince her to join UConn. In fact, her pitch included talking to Fudd’s parents and showcasing the highlights of chances that Paige creates for her teammates. Thus, the Huskies profited as they signed 12th number-one recruit to sign with UConn since 1998. But fans are yet to see the chemistry on the court together. “its always something with one of them lmaoo.”
Before the season kicked off, even the head coach was “anxious,” to see his top two players in action. “It’s really an unknown at this point. I can only go by some of the things that I’ve seen I practice.” That was Geno Auriemma’s sentiment at the start of the season, and fans are wondering why there is no solution to it yet. “Idk why Paige and Azzi can’t ever click together .”
Similarly, another fan felt only one of them could have a great night while the other might have an off day. A story that was visible during their Elite 8 win over the USC. In that game, it was Paige Bueckers who scored 31 points meanwhile, Fudd could only manage just 8 points in 34 minutes. “Like make it make sense lmao why yall can’t be elite at the same damn time.”
However, one fan was very optimistic and said, “Saving it for Sunday!” As is the rematch of the 2022 NCAA final where South Carolina emerged victorious. What better time for the best friends to shun every narrative as Paige Bueckers plays her final collegiate game?
The post Paige Bueckers Blamed for Azzi Fudd’s Struggles as College Basketball Community Notice Major UConn Crisis appeared first on EssentiallySports.