March Madness: Ogwumike Backs Bueckers Over Watkins in Tournament

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Chiney Ogwumike expressed her strong opinions about top NCAA women’s basketball players JuJu Watkins of USC and Paige Bueckers of UConn during a recent episode of ESPN’s ‘First Take.’ As both players gear up for March Madness, Ogwumike highlighted that this tournament could be a defining moment for Bueckers.

Watkins and Bueckers have both made headlines this season, with Bueckers leading her team into the tournament after a comeback from injury, and Watkins driving her team to a near victory over UCLA in the Big Ten tournament final. “This has been a breakout season for JuJu Watkins, but this tournament, I feel like it’s built for Paige Bueckers,” Ogwumike stated.

Ogwumike further explained, “If you think about what she’s doing, she’s on pace for a 50, 40, 90-type of season.” This statistic refers to a player achieving 50% shooting from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line. Having a healthy team around Bueckers has contributed to her success. “That offense, they don’t make mistakes,” Ogwumike added, praising UConn coach Geno Auriemma‘s strategy.

With UConn’s current number one assist-to-turnover ratio and Bueckers back in form, Ogwumike believes the team can make a deep run in the tournament. “Reintroduce herself, especially as she’s going to be introduced as the number one pick,” she said, alluding to Bueckers’ future prospects in the WNBA.

Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith echoed Ogwumike’s sentiments about Watkins, calling her “spectacular.” He admitted to being more interested in Watkins than any other player in women’s college basketball, highlighting the excitement surrounding the tournament.

While both athletes have garnered immense attention, it remains uncertain whether Bueckers can lead UConn to a championship. The UConn Huskies and the USC Trojans are both highly regarded, with a potential meeting in the Elite Eight looming. However, the selection committee placed USC as the No. 1 seed in the Spokane 4 region, while UConn was designated the No. 2 seed, leading to fan disappointment over the potential early elimination of one star.

As the NCAA Tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins as they aim to elevate their teams to success while solidifying their legacies in women’s college basketball.