UConn's Geno Auriemma Reveals Message to Paige Bueckers from Viral Video at Title Game

At long last, Paige Bueckers is a national champion.

The UConn star, who has carved out a historic career but lacked a championship, led the Huskies to a dominant 82-59 win over South Carolina in the title game on Sunday. When she checked out for the last time, she and head coach Geno Auriemma shared a long embrace.

Auriemma revealed his message to Bueckers after the game in an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe.

"I love you. That's all I could say. I love you," Auriemma said.

Bueckers subsequently shared what she told her a coach in the moment:

Bueckers also shared an emotional moment after the win with her teammate Azzi Fudd, who has been with her since 2021.

Auriemma and Bueckers have had a long journey together. Before even arriving on UConn's campus, Bueckers had dreams of winning titles with the Huskies.

"As a kid, UConn was my dream school," she said after committing to UConn in 2019, per ESPN's Walter Villa. "Seeing them win all those national titles and then visiting campus and seeing them up close, it was everything I've dreamed of and more."

Bueckers had a phenomenal start to her career, winning Naismith Player of the Year as a freshman when she averaged 20 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game, leading UConn to the Final Four. She then helped lead the Huskies to the title game in 2022, but they came up short against South Carolina.

After her impressive freshman and sophomore seasons, disaster struck for Bueckers as she tore her ACL before the start of the 2022-23 season, forcing her to miss the entire year.

She bounced back last season by putting up 21.9 points per game and taking UConn to the Final Four once again.

Now, after years of getting close but never hoisting the trophy, Bueckers is a national champion and joins the likes of Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart Diana Taurasi in UConn history.