UConn fans may need some soothing herbal tea after Thursday night’s basketball showdown. In a game hyped as a potential showcase for Paige Bueckers’ No. 1 pick credentials, it was Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo who stole the spotlight and the win, leading her Fighting Irish to a commanding 79-68 victory.
The Huskies were left chasing ghosts from the get-go, as Hidalgo and Olivia Miles torched UConn with flair, finesse, and an unrelenting offensive assault. Despite the early deficit growing to 13 points in the first half, UConn managed to claw their way back, shrinking it to just four points in the dying moments. Alas, Hidalgo wasn’t about to let Bueckers ruin her night, sealing the deal with some clutch plays that left UConn fans shaking their heads and Caitlin Clark’s fanbase sharpening their keyboards.
Paige Bueckers: Star or Overhyped Narrative?
Now, Paige Bueckers wasn’t exactly invisible in this contest. The UConn star poured in 25 points, accompanied by three rebounds, three assists, and two steals while shooting an efficient 11 of 20. Yet, for many, this wasn’t enough. Caitlin Clark loyalists lit up social media, questioning if Bueckers was even in the same universe as their idol.
“Paige Bueckers is no Caitlin Clark and will not be a No. 1 pick,” read one fiery comment, clearly written with the caps lock button trembling under pressure.
Others were even more savage.
“Paige doesn’t have that dawg in her,” wrote another critic. “She cannot for the life of her take over a game. How can she be Caitlin before Caitlin when she can’t show up when the lights are the brightest?”
Hidalgo’s masterclass didn’t help Bueckers’ case. One fan summed it up succinctly: “Hidalgo > JuJu. Hidalgo > Paige. Don’t @ me. Argue with a wall.”
Caitlin Clark: Face of the WNBA or Overblown Hype?
Speaking of Caitlin Clark, her name seems to pop up everywhere, even when she’s nowhere near the court. As the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, her legion of fans have already anointed her as the undisputed face of the league.
But not everyone is convinced. Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams stirred the pot during an appearance on FanDuel TV, declaring that A’ja Wilson, not Clark, remains the face of the WNBA.
“I still think [the title of face of the WNBA] belongs to A’ja Wilson. … Her visibility has gone up,” Williams said. “Clark’s brought eyeballs to the WNBA, but it’s not sustainable if those fans aren’t sticking around for basketball reasons.”
Ouch.
Williams’ comments didn’t sit well with Clark’s defenders, who flooded social media with rebuttals faster than Clark sinks a logo three. But let’s be real: Wilson, with her MVP trophies and championship rings, has a résumé that could make even the most die-hard Clark fan pause.
Where Does This Leave Paige Bueckers?
With the dust settled and Hidalgo basking in the glow of her team’s triumph, questions about Bueckers’ standing as the top draft prospect loom large. Sure, she has the skills, but does she have the killer instinct to dominate at the next level? For now, it’s back to the drawing board for the Huskies, while Clark fans sip their tea, savoring the drama.
One thing’s for sure: the women’s college basketball season has enough spice to keep us hooked. Whether it’s Hidalgo’s rise, Clark’s dominance, or the ongoing debate over Bueckers’ future, the narrative is shaping up to be one wild ride. Stay tuned.
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