Forget about Caitlin Clark.
UW coach Geno Auriemma said Monday night that Paige Bueckers is actually the best player in the country after leading No. 3 seed UW past No. 6 seed Syracuse to advance to the Sweet 16.
“We have the best players in America,” Auriemma said after the Buccaneers finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 72-64 victory.
“In this analytical world, we’re just saying that because the numbers say she is. And the whole stat sheet says she is. And everyone who was watching it knew that.” “
While Clark gets more headlines and attention, there’s certainly an argument to be made that the Buccaneers are one of the few players who can match the Iowa star.
Stanford’s Cameron Brink is also on that list, along with star freshman JuJu Watkins from the University of Southern California.
Clark averages 10 more points per game (31.8 vs. 21.8), but he also averages 22.5 shots per game compared to Booker’s 14.9.
However, Bueckers has a higher shooting percentage and is a more efficient scorer.
The redshirt senior’s field goal percentage (54-for-45.6), 3-point percentage (41.8-to-37.9) and effective field-goal percentage (61.1-to-57.7) all exceed Clark’s numbers.
Clark attempted 252 more shots than the Buccaneers.
Mr. Clark became the top backer in terms of PER and acquired stocks, List by sports-reference.comHowever, Bookers outperforms her in PER per 40 minutes.
Bueckers has more steals (2.2 to 1.8) and blocks (1.4 to 0.5) than Clark and guards multiple positions for a Huskies defense that allows 56.5 points per game. Iowa allows 71.7 points per game while playing at a fast pace.
“Statistics tell you one thing…but what’s so remarkable is when they happen and how they impact the game.” According to ESPN, Auriemma said of the Buccaneers:. “I think this team will go as far as she can to carry that kind of burden. As long as she continues to take donations from everyone, little by little.”
UW needs the Buccaneers while also being plagued by injuries this year, and the Huskies have a Sweet 16 berth on tap Saturday against No. 7 seed Duke in the Portland III.
Watkins and the Trojans are the top seeds in the region.
The Huskies’ season ended in the Sweet 16 last year despite Buccaneer’s absence.
“We were fortunate to be able to get back to where we left off last year,” Auriemma said. “I think we’re a different team, we think differently, and we expect different results.”
