NCAA analyst Paige Bueckers explains why Eli Manning isn't drafted

NCAA analyst Robin Lundberg addressed the rumors Paige Bueckers can refuse to play for Dallas Wings if she is selected by them in this year's WNBA Draft.

On his YouTube channel, Lundberg didn't give much credence to the rumors and said he didn't see Bueckers sparing the Wings.

He also discussed the comparison to Eli Manning, who declined to play for the then-San Diego Chargers before the 2004 draft. The Chargers drafted Manning with the No. 1 pick and traded him to the New York Giants.

“He didn't seem excited, I'll say that,” he said (after 7:23). “When the lottery happened and it wasn't the Sparks and it became the Wings, he didn't seem excited. But if I had to make a bet, if I had to make a prediction, if I had to guess, my gut tells me that Paige wouldn't do it (pull Manning).

“But I'm sharing it with you because someone who's been in this business a long time doesn't think the same thing, or at least hasn't heard the same thing. I'm betting against it.”

Lundberg pointed out that Bueckers didn't actually say anything about it, and it was all speculation.

“He (Bueckers) said it was his last year UConnso let's give some credit to his words here, you know, free time and all that is a time for rumors and speculation and throwing out into the universe, throwing it out there for discussion, you know, debating back and forth.

“But there's been no actual indication from Paige that that might be the case. That's what people around the league are saying. So, to sum it up, if Paige were to do this, I think he might backfire on that point, but it's a move that's counterproductive to the player. you'd think he'd react.”

Paige Bueckers is set to return to action this week

UConn stayed strong last week, going 2-0 in the absence of Paige Bueckers, who is sidelined with a sprained left knee. The Huskies secured two important Big East wins during his recovery.

The Bueckers are set to bounce back this week as UConn continues conference play, hosting St. John's on the road and Seton Hall at home. His return comes as the Huskies move up to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 Poll after Texas fell to a loss to South Carolina.

With Paige Bueckers back in action, UConn is poised to continue its dominant performance and strengthen its position in the Big East.