UConn’s Paige Bueckers Prepares for March Madness with Strict Nighttime Routine

STORRS, Conn. — Paige Bueckers, the standout guard for the University of Connecticut, is focused on ensuring her body is primed for the intense competition ahead as she leads the Huskies into the March Madness tournament. With a projected top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the 23-year-old athlete emphasizes the importance of sleep and recovery as she aims to end a nearly decade-long title drought for the program.

“My goal is always to get eight to nine hours of sleep,” Bueckers said. “Routine is everything.” In order to achieve this, Bueckers shared five key components of her nightly regimen that prepare her for recovery.

First on her list is taking a shower. Bueckers explained, “I definitely like to get a shower in because I drain my hair a lot when it comes to basketball. Plus, I feel like taking a shower is also just very relaxing!” To combat the sweat from playing, she uses CeraVe shampoo and conditioner about four times a week, along with hair and scalp masks to maintain her hair’s health.

After her shower, Bueckers follows a simple skincare routine. “I pretty much just keep it short and sweet with cleanser, moisturizer, and lotion,” she said. Her focus on skin care is crucial, considering the toll that basketball takes on her complexion.

In addition to her skin care, she drinks a protein shake before bed to fuel her body overnight. “Sleeping on that and having that muscle recovery happen overnight is crucial for me,” Bueckers stated. Research supports her practice, indicating that consuming protein before sleep can enhance muscle recovery as growth hormones surge through the body during rest.

Another critical aspect of Bueckers’ routine is stretching. She often performs a legs-up-the-wall stretch to promote blood flow. “I find laying my legs vertically against the wall is good for blood flow,” she said. Along with that, Bueckers includes Pilates and yoga in her pre-bedtime stretching session to ease muscle tension and improve sleep quality.

“Sometimes I’ll also put on my Hyperice to help my muscles recover,” she added, underscoring the importance of recovery techniques for her athletic performance.

Mental preparation is also key. “I have about four devotionals that I read every single night, then I pray,” she noted. The benefits of reading before bed have been well-documented, linking it to improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety.

After her devotional time, Bueckers enjoys watching some television to help her relax before sleeping. “Usually when I get in bed, I kind of catch a second wind, so I have to find a way to recalm myself,” she said. Experts typically advise against screen time before sleep due to the disruptive effects of blue light, but Bueckers makes it a point to use blue-light blocking glasses.

Bueckers is prepared for her final March Madness competition, which kicks off for the Huskies on March 22. “Win or lose during this opportunity, I’m taking comfort in knowing what comes next,” she remarked.

As the season progresses, Bueckers reflects on her future. Even though she has one more eligibility season left due to an ACL injury that sidelined her last year, she is ready for the next chapter of her life. “I’ve had an amazing journey. But at some point, the journey has to come to an end,” she said.

Looking forward, Bueckers is eager to join the ranks of professional athletes in the WNBA. “Having that opportunity to play in a league that I dreamt of being in makes you really excited for the future,” she concluded.