UConn's Paige Bueckers leads offensive clinic vs. Villanova

In a 100-57 win, Bueckers scored 21 points in 26 minutes, shooting 72.7% from the field. She also had eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals. 

In his postgame news conference, Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said Bueckers probably would've had a triple-double if he had let her play longer. 

"They told me I took her out before her triple-double," Auriemma said. "I say, 'I don't pay attention to that stuff.' I should, but I don't." 

While Bueckers probably wanted a triple-double, her health is more important for the Huskies. She recently missed two games with a knee injury, which she suffered in an 83-52 victory over Villanova on Jan. 5.

The No. 6 Huskies (18-2) are talented enough to win games without the star guard, but her presence gives them more juice. 

This was apparent against Villanova. UConn shot 65.6% from the field and finished with 26 assists.

"When [Bueckers] is in the game, and everybody's looking at her, and everybody's waiting to see, you know what she's going to do, then for her to go off like she did today, it's infectious," Auriemma said. "Everybody catches it, and it starts to, you know, feed on itself. She has that effect." 

With Bueckers' scoring ability rubbing off on the rest of the team, the Huskies — who have won eight straight games — could keep rolling. On Saturday, they'll look to extend their streak in a road matchup against Creighton Bluejays (16-3).