Mon Mar 10 23:40:00 UTC 2025: ## UConn Advances to Semifinals Amidst Injury Concerns and Bueckers’ Historic Achievement

**STORRS, CT –** The UConn Huskies secured their 37th consecutive Big East Tournament semifinal appearance with a dominant 71-40 victory over St. John’s. However, the post-game focus shifted from the win to coach Geno Auriemma’s candid assessment of the team’s injury situation and star player Paige Bueckers’ latest accomplishment.

Auriemma revealed significant injury concerns, particularly regarding Aubrey Griffin, who is unlikely to play in the upcoming games due to ongoing knee soreness. He expressed doubt earlier in the season about both Griffin and Caroline Ducharme’s ability to return to the court, citing the severity of their back and ACL injuries respectively. While Griffin briefly returned in January, the coaching staff is prioritizing her recovery for the NCAA Tournament.

Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers achieved a historic milestone, becoming only the third Big East player to win three Player of the Year awards. Despite her impressive performance against St. John’s, scoring over 20 points without a single three-pointer, Auriemma remained characteristically critical, stating she hasn’t “turned the corner” yet and needs to improve her precision and off-ball movement.

Despite Auriemma’s tough-love approach, Bueckers expressed support for her injured teammate Griffin, emphasizing the challenges of dealing with long-term injuries. The team’s senior class, described as unusually fragmented by injuries, contrasts sharply with past UConn teams. The Huskies’ next challenge lies in the Big East Tournament semifinals, with the ultimate goal of peaking for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

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