UConn star dubbed better than Paige Bueckers breaks 25-year NCAA record not even Caitlin Clark came close to
The Connecticut Huskies’ demolishment of Arkansas State was largely inspired by one star. Sarah Strong made history during UConn’s 103-34 win in what was practically a perfect night for everyone involved. Sarah Strong put on a masterclass during her team’s blowout winGetty The No.2 seed Huskies were ready to dominate from tip-off, outscoring Arkansas State 34-5 in the first quarter in what would be a rout of the Red Wolves. Freshman Strong and graduate student Azzi Fudd combined for 47 points, outscoring the visitors themselves. The 69-point blowout would be the fourth-largest margin of victory for an NCAA tournament game in program history. The 66-16 gap at the half marked the second-largest halftime lead in NCAA tournament history and was tied for the second-most points in any half in the event’s history. Fudd would end the game with 27 points, seven assists, six steals and two blocks. She became the first player in six years to register above 20 points, five assists and five steals. However, the biggest star of the night would be Strong, who was making her NCAA tournament debut. The freshman finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks It means she became the first player with 20-10-5-5 in any NCAA tournament game over the past 25 seasons. A statistic that even serial record breaker Caitlin Clark couldn’t match during her four years at the Iowa Hawkeyes. On a quieter night, although understandable since none of the starters played more than 22 minutes, Paige Bueckers finished with 11 points. Paige Bueckers is one of UConn’s stars but had a quieter night on SaturdayGetty Caitlin Clark enjoyed four stellar campaigns in Iowa and broke multiple recordsGetty The presumptive No.1 overall WNBA draft pick was outflanked by her fellow UConn peers with some fans even ranking Strong as the more important player. “Sarah’s really like that man. Some stellar players in her class but she’s the best freshman in the country by a mile,” one fan wrote on X. “Sarah is playing as the best player on that team,” another fan wrote on X. “Also if Paige Bueckers wins a chip, it’s gone be on the back of Sarah Strong,” another fan posted. The Huskies will now face 10-seed South Dakota State on Monday, their 31st consecutive season reaching the second round. South Dakota currently boasts the best active win streak in the nation right now with 20, and UConn will be aware that Saturday’s blowout will have no bearing on Monday’s game. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment Something Geno Auriemma was quick to put out as he said, “On a coach’s mind, we’re looking at things going … will that carry over to Monday, because if we do it just like that on Monday, yes. That won’t. Will that carry over? No.” “If we do that Monday night, that ain’t going to work. It only worked tonight because of circumstances. “If we’re fortunate enough to play next weekend, how much of this stuff that if we do it exactly the way we did it is going to help us win that game? 50%? 60%? Who knows?” Fudd echoed her coach’s sentiment as she said, “There are still things we need to work on, things we need to clean up. I think that it’s March. It’s not a time to get complacent.”
The Connecticut Huskies’ demolishment of Arkansas State was largely inspired by one star.
Sarah Strong made history during UConn’s 103-34 win in what was practically a perfect night for everyone involved.
The No.2 seed Huskies were ready to dominate from tip-off, outscoring Arkansas State 34-5 in the first quarter in what would be a rout of the Red Wolves.
Freshman Strong and graduate student Azzi Fudd combined for 47 points, outscoring the visitors themselves.
The 69-point blowout would be the fourth-largest margin of victory for an NCAA tournament game in program history.
The 66-16 gap at the half marked the second-largest halftime lead in NCAA tournament history and was tied for the second-most points in any half in the event’s history.
Fudd would end the game with 27 points, seven assists, six steals and two blocks.
She became the first player in six years to register above 20 points, five assists and five steals.
However, the biggest star of the night would be Strong, who was making her NCAA tournament debut. The freshman finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks
It means she became the first player with 20-10-5-5 in any NCAA tournament game over the past 25 seasons.
A statistic that even serial record breaker Caitlin Clark couldn’t match during her four years at the Iowa Hawkeyes.
On a quieter night, although understandable since none of the starters played more than 22 minutes, Paige Bueckers finished with 11 points.
The presumptive No.1 overall WNBA draft pick was outflanked by her fellow UConn peers with some fans even ranking Strong as the more important player.
“Sarah’s really like that man. Some stellar players in her class but she’s the best freshman in the country by a mile,” one fan wrote on X.
“Sarah is playing as the best player on that team,” another fan wrote on X.
“Also if Paige Bueckers wins a chip, it’s gone be on the back of Sarah Strong,” another fan posted.
The Huskies will now face 10-seed South Dakota State on Monday, their 31st consecutive season reaching the second round.
South Dakota currently boasts the best active win streak in the nation right now with 20, and UConn will be aware that Saturday’s blowout will have no bearing on Monday’s game.
March Madness Top Stories
Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson
‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance
NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever
Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment
Something Geno Auriemma was quick to put out as he said, “On a coach’s mind, we’re looking at things going … will that carry over to Monday, because if we do it just like that on Monday, yes. That won’t. Will that carry over? No.”
“If we do that Monday night, that ain’t going to work. It only worked tonight because of circumstances.
“If we’re fortunate enough to play next weekend, how much of this stuff that if we do it exactly the way we did it is going to help us win that game? 50%? 60%? Who knows?”
Fudd echoed her coach’s sentiment as she said, “There are still things we need to work on, things we need to clean up. I think that it’s March. It’s not a time to get complacent.”
