PHOENIX — Paige Bueckers said both the UConn women’s and men’s teams being in the Final Four is proof that Storrs, Connecticut, is “the best basketball capital in the world.” She may be a little biased.
Bueckers, the former UConn superstar who led the Huskies to the program’s 12th national title last season, said she’s rooting for both programs to pull off rare dual championships. A university has had its women’s and men’s teams advance to the Final Four 15 times in March Madness history, including the 2026 Huskies, but winning both championships has only happened two times. The UConn Huskies achieved the feat both times.
“We didn’t get to have a dual year. We were close,” Bueckers said Wednesday at the Team USA basketball camp in Phoenix. She’s referring to the UConn women falling short of the title game in 2024 after a Final Four loss to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes, while UConn men’s basketball went on to win the national title.
The championship double was last pulled off by UConn in 2014, when Breanna Stewart and the women’s team hoisted the NCAA title trophy within 24 hours of Shabazz Napier and the men’s team. Stefanie Dolson was a member of that women’s championship team and recalled the excitement of both teams winning it all.
“It was a really special moment for us when we won and then the men have won the next day,” Dolson recalled at the Team USA basketball camp on Wednesday. “I know how the girls feel right now, just that they’re all in the Final Four. So I’m really excited. Looking forward to watching both teams play.”
Dolson is confident the women’s team has what it takes to defend its championship.
“They look great. I’m excited to watch them play. I think they’re going to take the championship,” Dolson declared. “Obviously, I’m rooting for them, but they have a really special team. You can tell how close they are and how well they vibe and they’ve had a few tests during the tournament, so I think they’re ready for it.”
The UConn women have dominated competition across an undefeated season and are riding a 54-game win streak, dating back to Bueckers’ time in Storrs, Connecticut, but she said she’s impressed by how this squad has “responded to the adversity” throughout the tournament after battling through some tight first halves.
“The resilience and the togetherness stood out for sure,” Bueckers said. “And for me, it’s always like I’m scared (for) other teams coming out third quarter because I know what coach is saying at halftime.”
UConn coach Geno Auriemma celebrated the Huskies’ 25th trip to the Final Four with a cowboy hat and “giddy up” dance after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 70-52 in the Elite Eight on Sunday, March 29 in Fort Worth, Texas. Dolson said the moment didn’t surprise her.
“I have some stories about Geno (Auriemma) that people would be shocked about, but it’s just good to see all the girls have such a great relationship with him,” Dolson said. “He’s always been that type of coach that is so hard on us on the court. But then off the court, you’re his best friend. The amount of times we had dinners at his house and how much he cared for you, that’s why they play so hard for him.”
Speaking of dinner, Auriemma revealed he had dinner with Bueckers and the team last week. “It reminded me of how much those five years took off of my life, listening to the things that she says, and the interesting thing is I lived through it with Diana (Taurasi) and they’re the only two that put me through that,” he said.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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